text:
Business Financial PlanCategory: Prejudged Reports & Presentation
Type: Individual or Team
Two (2) parts: a prejudged report and a presentation. Competitors must complete both parts for award eligibility.
Topic: Create a Business Financial Plan for a local rental business that will also do business online. The business should be specifically targeted for your community. The Business Financial Plan should include a name for the business, what items you will be renting, plans for needed construction and/or renovation to the building, equipment to be purchased, inventory for your launch date, hours of operation, staffing requirements, information on developing your e-business website, a promotional plan, and a social media plan.
Skills: Business financial planning is paramount to the success of any business enterprise. This event is designed to recognize FBLA members who possess the knowledge and skills needed to establish and develop a complete financial plan for a business venture.
Event Specific
- Establish and develop a complete financial plan for a business venture by writing a report on the topic below.
- A one-page description of the plan should be the first page of the report (not included in page count).
Report Guidelines
- Competitors must prepare reports. Advisers and others are not permitted to write reports.
- The state chair/adviser must upload a PDF of the report by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the second Friday in May.
- Front cover is not counted against page limit.
- American Enterprise Project, Community Service, Local Chapter Annual Business Report, and Partnership with Business Project should include the name of school, state, name of the event, and year (20XX–XX) on the cover. Business Financial Plan and Business Plan should also include the names of participants.
- Divider pages and appendices are optional and must be included in the page count.
- Reports must include a table of contents and page numbers.
- Pages must be numbered and formatted to fit on 8-½"x11" paper.
- Reports start from previous State Leadership Conference to current State Leadership Conference.
- Follow the rating sheet sequence when writing the report. If information is not available for the particular criterion, include a statement to that effect in your report.
- Points will be deducted if the written project doesn't adhere to the guidelines.
- Project content is prejudged before the NLC. The presentation of the project is judged at the NLC.
- Prejudged materials, visual aids, and samples related to the project may be used during the presentation; however, no items may be left with the judges or audience.
- The report scores will be used to break a tie.
- Reports must be original, current, and not submitted for a previous NLC.
- Reports submitted for competition become the property of FBLA‑PBL, Inc. These reports may be used for publication and/or reproduced for sale by the national association.
Performance Guidelines
- Visual aids related to the project may be used; however, no items may be left with the judges or audience.
- Final performances may be open to conference attendees, space permitting. Finalists may not view other competitors' performances in their event.
Technology Guidelines
- Internet access will not be provided.
- The following will be provided for the final round of technology presentation events: screen, power, table, and projector. It is up to the final round competitors if they wish to use the provided technology.
- Five (5) minutes will be allowed to set up and remove equipment or presentation items.
- See the Technology Guidelines under General Performance Event Guidelines for additional guidelines.
Penalty Points Deducted by Judges
- Five (5) points are deducted if competitors do not follow the dress code.
- Five (5) points may be deducted for presentations over the allotted time.
- Five (5) points may be deducted for not following guidelines.
Performance Guidelines
Fifteen (15) competitors/teams—or an equal number from each section in the preliminary round—will advance to the final round. When there are more than five preliminary sections for an event, two competitors/ teams from each section will advance to the final round.
In the case of team events, all team competitors are expected to actively participate in the performance/demonstration.
Competitors cannot be replaced or substituted for prejudged events with the exception of the chapter events—American Enterprise Project, Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report, and Partnership with Business Project.
All competitors must comply with the FBLA‑PBL dress code.
Prejudged materials and résumés will not be returned.
Technology Guidelines
- The following will be provided for the final round of technology presentation/demonstration events that allow viewing: screen, power, table, and projector. It is up to final round competitors to decide if they wish to use the provided technology.
- Competitors utilizing Apple products or other devices that do not have a VGA port or HDMI will need to provide their own adapters.
- Internet access will be provided for:
- 3-D Animation
- Coding & Programming
- Computer Game & Simulation Programming
- Digital Video Production
- E-business
- Electronic Career Portfolio
- Mobile Application Development
- Public Service Announcement
- Social Media Campaign
- Website Design
- Internet access may not be WiFi, so competitors should plan appropriately when selecting laptops/tablets on which to present.
Performance Competencies
- Demonstrate excellent verbal communication.
- Display effective decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Express self-confidence and poise.
- Work well as a team when applicable.
- Exhibit logic and systematic understanding.
- Conduct a professional business presentation.
- Answer questions effectively (when applicable).
Penalty Points Deducted by Judges
- Five (5) points are deducted if competitors do not follow the dress code.
- Five (5) points may be deducted for presentations over the allotted time.
- Five (5) points may be deducted for not following guidelines.
- Preliminary performances/demonstrations are not open to conference attendees.
- Final performances/demonstrations may be open to conference attendees, space permitting (with the exception of interview and prep/case events). Finalists may not view other competitors' performances/demonstrations in their event.
- Recording performances/demonstrations is prohibited.
- All electronic devices must be turned off.
- All attendees must follow the dress code and wear their name badges.
The general event guidelines below are applicable to all national competitive events. Please review and follow these guidelines when competing at the national level. When competing at the state level, check the state guidelines since they may differ.
- Dues: Competitors must have paid FBLA national and state dues by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 1 of the current school year.
- NLC Registration: Participants must be registered for the NLC and pay the national conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
- Deadlines: The state chair, or designee, must register each state competitor on the official online entry forms by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the second Friday in May.
- Each state may submit four (4) entries in all events except LifeSmarts, Virtual Business Finance Challenge, and Virtual Business Management Challenge.
- Each competitor can only compete in one (1) individual/ team event and one (1) chapter event.
- Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
- A team shall consist of two or three members. Exceptions are Parliamentary Procedure which must be a team of four or five members, and LifeSmarts which must be a team of two members.
- All members of a team must consist of individuals from the same chapter.
Repeat Competitors
Competitors are not permitted to compete in an event more than once at the national level unless one of the following circumstances applies:
- Modified Events: A competitor may compete in the same event when the event is modified. Note, if the only modification is a name change, competitors may not compete in the renamed event.
- Team Events: One (1) competitor of the team may have competed in the same event at one (1) previous NLC; however, they may not compete more than twice in the event at the national level.
- Chapter Events: Competitors may compete in a chapter event more than once (American Enterprise Project, Community Service Project, and Partnership with Business Project).
- Individual Entry: A competitor who competed as an individual entry in a team event at the national level may compete in the same event a second time as part of a team, but not a second time as an individual.
- Parliamentary Procedure: Two (2) competitors of the team may have competed in this event at a previous NLC; however, they may not compete more than twice at the national level.
- Pilot Event: Competition in a pilot event does not disqualify a competitor from competing in the same event if it becomes an official competitive event. The participant may compete in another event as well as a pilot event.
Breaking Ties
- Objective Tests: Ties are broken by comparing the correct number of answers to the last 10 questions on the exam. If a tie remains, the competitor who completed the test in a shorter amount of time will place higher. If this does not break the tie, answers to the last 20 questions will be reviewed and determine the winner.
- Objective and Production Tests: The production test scores will be used to break a tie.
- Objective Tests and Performances: The objective test score will be used to break a tie based on the tie-breaking criteria of objective tests.
- Reports/Projects and Performances: The report/project scores will be used to break a tie.
- Performances: Judges must break ties and all judges' decisions are final.
National Deadlines
- State chair/adviser must register all competitors for NLC competitive events online by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the second Friday in May.
- All prejudged components (report PDFs, resume/letter of application PDFs, and project URLs) must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the second Friday in May.
- All URLs and PDFs for prejudged projects and reports will be submitted by the state adviser via the competitive events registration form.
- All production tests must be received at FBLA-PBL by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the third Friday in May.
- All production tests must be uploaded online.
- State chair/adviser may make name changes only (no additional entries) by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the first Friday in June. Competitor drops are the only changes allowed after this date and onsite.
National Awards
The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 10. Only one (1) award is given to the schools competing in chapter events (American Enterprise Project, Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report, and Partnership with Business Project).
Additional Materials
Certain events may allow the use of additional materials. Please refer to event guidelines.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
FBLA‑PBL meets the criteria specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act for all participants who submit a special needs form.
Recording of Presentations
No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event. Participants in the performance events should be aware the national association reserves the right to record any performance for use in study or training materials.
- Dress for Success—Members must be in business attire. Please review the the FBLA-PBL Dress Code. If you question if you are properly attired, then change.
- Read and follow explicitly the state and national competitive events guidelines. Be aware of differences between state and national guidelines.
- Check the status of membership dues. Students must be dues-paid members by March 1 to compete in national competition. The sooner dues are paid the sooner members will receive FBLA benefits.
- All materials must be received by the national center by the second Friday in May. Normally the state submits these materials, but some states request the local chapters submit their reports, website URLs, interview materials, etc.
- Remember, when competing at the district or state levels, materials are not sent to the national office.
- Become completely familiar with the procedures to be followed for participation in each type of event at the state and national levels.
- Determine from the rating sheets and guidelines the areas that will be judged and the weight given to each area.
- Obtain a variety of updated information on different subject areas and provide access to students for study.
- Contact former and current chapter members who have competed in previous years for suggestions.
- Find mentors and other experts who can help members prepare for competition. Involve faculty, advisory committee members, Professional Division members, businesspeople, community volunteers, and parents in study sessions and event preparation.
- Try to recreate as realistically as possible the conditions under which the competition will take place and PRACTICE.
- Make certain that the copies of materials to be submitted to judges are error-free and in the proper format.
FBLA encourages chapters to cooperate on projects during the year; however, each chapter involved in the project must write and submit an independent report.
The same chapter project may be used for different events. Make certain, though, to focus the report on specific elements addressed by the guidelines for each event. A community service project, for instance, conducted jointly with a local business might qualify in both the Community Service Project and Partnership with Business Project events. The Community Service Project should focus on the planning, implementation, and outcomes of the service aspects of the project. The Partnership with Business Project should focus on the interactions with local businesses and the outcomes of these contacts.
- Select a topic for your project early in the year. Be creative. Your topic should be chosen for need, not just because the chapter wants to do it. Make sure it is appropriate for the chapter report selected.
- Set up project committees. The committee members should have a variety of interests, such as organizing, writing, designing, and publishing the report. Involve as many members as possible because many talents are necessary for a winning project. The report must be prepared entirely by FBLA members, with advisers serving only as consultants.
- Develop a project timeline. Post the timeline on a bulletin board or online collaboration program; include pictures of members responsible for meeting each deadline.
- Review the report rating sheet to make sure the written report covers all aspects of the rating sheet. The report should be assembled according to the categories on the rating sheet. If your report doesn't cover all the categories on the rating sheet, indicate that in the written report. This is what the judges will use to evaluate the report.
- Reports should be written on one project in detail rather than a laundry list of activities; however, the project may have many activities.
- Follow the guidelines list for report covers, table of contents, page limits, etc. Points will be deducted if the guidelines are not followed.
- If your project is not new, the report should clearly identify how the current year's version differs from the previous year's, particularly with the scope and intensity of the project.
- The length of the document is not always an indicator of quality or success. Don't make the judges read more than is necessary. The guidelines speak to a maximum page count—not a minimum.
- Fonts smaller than 11 point should not be used.
- Reports should be written in language that does not overwhelm the judges, and reports should reflect the appropriate writing style of students. Words with more syllables are not always the most impressive.
- Reports will be submitted online for the national competition.
- American Enterprise Project, Business Financial Plan, Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report, and Partnership with Business Project are limited to fifteen pages. Business Plan is limited to 30 pages.
Report Presentation Tips
- Videotape your presentations for additional review. You cannot practice too much.
- All eligible entries will compete in a preliminary seven-minute performance.
- If using equipment, the school is responsible for bringing a computer for each event.
- Students (not advisers) have five minutes to set up the equipment. If it takes longer than five minutes, the time is deducted from the preliminary presentation. The national center provides electric power and a small table in the preliminary round. A projector, screen, cart, and electric power will be provided in the final round; however, it is up to the competitors to decide if they wish to use the projector or not.
- If the equipment fails, be prepared to still present your project.
- Review the performance rating sheet to make sure all points are covered in the presentation.
- In the oral performance presentation, visual aids and/or presentation graphics are encouraged for a more powerful delivery; however, visual aids should be relied on to assist, not to be, the presentation.
- It is important that the presenters are well acquainted with their projects, especially during the question and answer period. The judges don't know anything about your project. Don't rely on your multimedia presentation to tell your story. Be prepared to verbally tell the story of the project.
- Make eye contact with the judges, speak in a clear voice, and emphasize the important points.
- Introduce yourself and/or the team to the judges, giving the name of the school and project.
- If competing as a team, all team members must contribute during the performance.
Previous Winners
Rating Sheet
Format Guide
Website Resources
NBEA Standards
- Accounting
- Communication
- Computation
- Economics & Personal Finance
- Management
Career Clusters
- Business Management & Administration
- Finance
- Human Services


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One of the important predictions made by Avogadro is that the identity of a gas is unimportant in determining the P-V-T properties of the gas. This behavior means that a gas mixture behaves in exactly the same fashion as a pure gas. (Indeed, early scientists such as Robert Boyle studying the properties of gases performed their experiments using gas mixtures, most notably air, rather than pure gases.)
The ideal gas law,
predicts how the pressure, volume, and temperature of a gas depend upon the number of moles of the gas. The number of moles, n, is the total moles of all the gas-phase species.
Air, for example, is composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen. In a given sample of air, the total number of moles is can be approximated as
This expression for n can be substituted into the ideal gas law to yield
All molecules in the gas have access to the entire volume of the system, thus V is the same for both nitrogen and oxygen. Similarly, both compounds experience the same temperature. One can therefore split this expression of the ideal gas law into two terms, one for nitrogen and one for oxygen.
The above equation is called Dalton's Law of Partial Pressure, and it states that the pressure of a gas mixture is the sum of the partial pressures of the individual components of the gas mixture. Pnitrogen is the partial pressure of the nitrogen and Poxygen is the partial pressure of oxygen.
You'll notice that the equations for the partial pressures are really just the ideal gas law, but the moles of the individual component (nitrogen or oxygen) are used instead of the total moles. Conceptually Pnitrogen is the contribution nitrogen molecules make to the pressure and Poxygen is the contribution oxygen molecules make.
- Employ Boyle's Law and Dalton's Law of Partial Pressures to predict the pressure of a gas mixture.
This exercise involves the same two-bulb apparatus employed in a previous exercise. The left bulb is filled with nitrogen gas (artificially colored blue) and the right bulb is filled with oxygen gas (artificially colored red). The volumes of the two bulbs are indicated and manometers are provided to measure the pressure inside each bulb. Each time you press the "New Conditions" button, the experiment will be reset with new volumes and initial pressures for the two bulbs.
When the stopcock is open, the nitrogen will expand into the right bulb and the oxygen into the left bulb to produce a uniform mixture.
Use Boyle's Law to calculate the partial pressure of nitrogen and the partial pressure of oxygen in the final gas mixture. Use these partial pressures and Dalton's Law to calculate the pressure for the gas mixture.
Open the stopcock and measure the final pressure. Was your calculation accurate?
Practice the calculations until you are able to solve the problem consistently.

subset: commoncrawl


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This card will be linked up over at The Moxie Fab World for their new challenge: The Appearance of Cameos Challenge in the Moxie Fab World!!
Friday, January 28, 2011
This card will be linked up over at The Moxie Fab World for their new challenge: The Appearance of Cameos Challenge in the Moxie Fab World!!
30 comments:
- Laurie said...
Holy cow Amy! This is beyond gorgeous! I love that bow! So yummy! And I totally understand your obession...I have it too!
- January 28, 2011 at 5:32 AM
- Sue Ann said...
That embossing folder is PERFECT!!!! The bling on the bow ....... way too perfect and cute!!! and LOVE LOVE LOVE the black and white!!! PERFECT!!
- January 28, 2011 at 5:57 AM
- Kara said...
really pretty.....love the black and white with the texture!!
- January 28, 2011 at 7:09 AM
- Lindsay said...
Gorgeous card Amy! I looove that IP and the way you did the black and white! It's stunning!
- January 28, 2011 at 7:10 AM
- Emily Keaton said...
Adorable, Amy! Cameos and silhouettes are everywhere. Thanks for the great inspiration. :)
- January 28, 2011 at 7:22 AM
- Kim S said...
I am in LOVE with your style! I just found you through the PTI blog hop and just browsed your whole blog definitely marking many, many cards to CASE.
- January 28, 2011 at 7:36 AM
- Keva said...
This is so cool. I love it.
- January 28, 2011 at 7:58 AM
- Jen Carter said...
Love your embossing!! That makes such a pretty pattern and it is perfect with this color combo and theme! Gorgeous card!! (STOP using those edgers...I DON'T want to want them, lol!!! Just teasing, you use them so well and I love it!!) :)
- January 28, 2011 at 10:26 AM
- Dana said...
Have I said that I NEED this set yet? Thanks for the reminder to go get it! LOL
As usual, this is so pretty. I too love embossing folders and use them all the time. Elegant.
- January 28, 2011 at 11:37 AM
- Christina said...
What a sweet image! The embossing is perfect with the frame image. Beautiful job, Amy!
- January 28, 2011 at 12:15 PM
- Elle said...
Amy, this is absolutely stunning! Your bow is gorgeous. I wish I could do them that well but it's not one of my strongest abilities. Great job and thanks for sharing!
- January 28, 2011 at 2:29 PM
- Rhonda said...
Smack me in the head GORGEOUS Amy!!! Enjoy your weekend.
- January 28, 2011 at 4:12 PM
- Unknown said...
It's so elegant but with the perfect touch of cuteness. I'll have to look into some smashing embossing folders like this... darn you and your card powers!
- January 28, 2011 at 4:29 PM
- ~Tammy~ said...
Your execution of this is just fabulous! You have no idea how much I am missing my die cuts, punches, and embossing folders!!! This is just making my mouth water girl! I am pretty sure this is one of the ones I own too!
- January 28, 2011 at 7:56 PM
- Karen B. said...
A perfect combination of silhouettes and embossing. Your ribbon use is phenomenal in this card and the previous post.
- January 28, 2011 at 8:31 PM
- Tenia Nelson said...
Gorgeous card Miss Amy!!!
- January 29, 2011 at 9:47 AM
- nancy said...
This card is stunning. The embossing and colors give the card an elegance that is countered by the innocence of the silhouette. Great layout, too.
- January 29, 2011 at 10:53 AM
- Anne Tussing said...
Phenomenal!! I love everything about this card: the colors, the silhouette, the bling!!
- January 29, 2011 at 11:25 AM
- Audrey Pettit said...
Wow, your card is stunning!! I just popped over from Moxie Fab World to check out all the fabulous cameo projects, and I absolutely adore yours! This is just so elegant. Love the embossed panel and love the black ribbon and scalloped edge. Gorgeous silhouette image and I love the scattering of silver pearls, too. Really beautiful!
- January 30, 2011 at 8:26 AM
- Colleen Dietrich said...
Amy, you're right: your embossing folder is just perfect for that silhouette frame! I've used a frame stamp, as well, for a card that I will post late, late tonight for Splitcoaststampers Clean and Simple Design Team. I'm their Guest Designer tomorrow, and I love the frame I've used.
Must say, Amy, that I always like your cards. You have a wonderful style! And I'm honored that you dropped by my blog to leave a comment. :D
- January 30, 2011 at 11:02 AM
- Lee Anne said...
This is beyond perfect. The bow is beautiful and the embossing folder adds such nice texture.
- January 30, 2011 at 3:55 PM
- Eva said...
Great layeres, like the way you used the scalloped edge border. Black and white is always a winner...and the sentiment is awesome.
- January 30, 2011 at 6:01 PM
- Diane Jaquay said...
STUNNING card Amy, love the background embossing and that beautiful silhouette!!!
- January 30, 2011 at 7:49 PM
- Terri said...
Very classy! Love the black and white and the embossing too!
- February 1, 2011 at 3:22 PM
- jen said...
I adore this! The bling in her hair is so fun & your embossing folder looks great with that frame!! :) (and another PERFECT bow!)
- February 1, 2011 at 5:41 PM
- Laurel said...
This is really great! I love the embossing and the layout - just so pretty!
- February 1, 2011 at 7:58 PM
- Ujjwal said...
This is so lovely!
- February 3, 2011 at 9:22 PM
- Kelly Massman said...
Love the embossing on this! Simple but sweet! Came over from Moxie Fab!
- February 4, 2011 at 6:06 AM
- Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Editor said...
Hey Amy! Thanks for entering the Appearance of Cameos challenge in the Moxie Fab World! I'm so glad you joined in on all the fun! :)
- February 15, 2011 at 8:21 AM
- Christine said...
the black and white on this is striking! I know this is an older project but We are doing a feature on Tuesday on cameo projects and I would love it if you would submit this! firstname.lastname@example.com
- May 14, 2011 at 10:27 PM


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impotence (im´pətəns), inhibited sexual excitement in a man during sexual activity that, despite an unaffected desire for sex, results in inability to attain or maintain a penile erection. Known medically as male erectile dysfunction, it affects younger and older men alike. Impotence can result from psychological factors (performance anxiety or fear of abandonment or unwanted pregnancy), sociocultural factors (negative sexual attitudes or religious beliefs), or physical causes. Impotence is distinguished from sterility (inability to produce sperm adequate for reproduction; see infertility).
Physical causes include low testosterone levels, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, prostate cancer surgery, and neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. Many drugs, illicit (e.g., marijuana, heroin, and cocaine) and prescription (e.g., ulcer medicines such as cimetidine (Tagamet) and hypertension medicines such as beta-blockers and diuretics), have been associated with impotence in some men. Smoking and alcoholism also can inhibit sexual excitement. Often, more than one factor is involved. In general, anything that can affect the flow of blood to the penis can cause impotence.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause, and may involve education and counseling of the man and his partner. Treatments include self-injection of a vasodilating drug before intercourse, and implantation of rod-shaped devices into the penis that are inflated via an attached fluid reservoir. In 1998 the first prescription medication for the treatment of impotence, sildenafil (Viagra), was approved for sale in the United States. It acts by blocking an enzyme called phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), which can end an erection prematurely; vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis) work similarly.


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John Travolta's drama on the high seas is at an end.
Days after a California judge rejected the 58-year-old actor's bid to have a potentially embarrassing lawsuit brought against him by a cruise-ship masseur decided in arbitration--and forcing the matter to be adjudicated in open court--both sides have agreed to drop the case.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, no reason was given for the abrupt dismissal, including whether there was a settlement, and neither party was talking.
U.S. & World
But the legal brouhaha got started after Royal Caribbean employee Fabian Zanzi sued Travolta in June, 2012, accusing the Grease star of assault and battery and infliction of emotional distress.
Judge smacks down Travolta's petition for arbitration
Among his graphic allegations, Zanzi, who was acting as Travolta's personal-suite attendant during the voyage, had delivered room service to the thesp, who allegedly complained of pain in his neck. According to the suit, Travolta then proceeded to disrobe while "forcibly embracing" Zanzi while naked, allegedly engaging in "nonconsensual, inappropriate, extreme and outrageous" contact.
The complaint, which sought unspecified damages, also accused the A-lister of offering Zanzi $12,000 to keep mum about the incident. However, the masseur subsequently reported the incident to three higher-ups.
Travolta's attorney, Martin Singer, at the time called the claims "ludicrous" and said Zanzi and his lawyers were "looking for their 15 minutes of fame."


text:
Nokia's long-mooted plans to expand into the netbook market has taken another step closer to confirmation after reports have come in of an impending deal with a manufacturer.
Digitimes has reported that Nokia is in talks with the Taiwanese Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) to manufacture the Finns' own brand netbook, which could debut as early as this year.
The talks between the two companies are set to be completed within the next two months, meaning that Nokia's next-gen device could be on the near horizon.
Nokia has previously confirmed that it is looking to move into the laptop market, as the gap between phone and computer narrows.
Switching segments
Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo confirmed to Finnish TV that the company was looking to make the move, stating "We are looking very actively also at this opportunity," when asked about a possible Nokia netbook.
Nokia's advantage in the netbook market would be the ease of adaptation from its current mobile phone supply line, where it would be able to use existing research and distribution deals to release the netbook.
And as Kallasvuo pointed out, as the gap between the mobile phone and the computer narrows a lot of internal components would be similar between the two devices, thus further giving Nokia a competitive edge.
Via Digitimes


text:
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When a new Registered Training Office (RTO) is getting started, there are a few points to consider. RTOs covers both training in practice and training in industry. There is no fee to apply or to keep your registration.
We required that one member of the Institute (ACA or FCA) act as the training manager/ partner. The role takes overall responsibility for overseeing the training contract. Day-to-day management can be overseen by a mentor.
Experience has to be sufficient in depth and range to give trainees skills in Financial Reporting, Professional Values, Business Environment and one area from Finance, Tax, Audit or IT.
An outline of the training policy on study leave, and payment of student fees should be available to Chartered Accountants Ireland.
A student quota is calculated using the number of qualified accountants within the company. For further information contact Hugh Carroll, Training Support Unit.
The training manager/partner can decide to nominate a mentor in the business to oversee and sign off the training experience on the CA Diary. Any member of IFAC and this includes all ACCA, CPA, CIMA as well as ACA andFCAs.
You do not have to give audit experience as audit is one area of four from which the trainee needs one area of experience in depth to qualify.
RTOs do not need to give set amount of days experience to trainees as the trainees use a competency based model. They have a list of competencies that they need to evidence, showing depth and progression over their training contract.
RTOs should ensure that the trainees CA Diary is reviewed twice a year, with the mentor submitting a six monthly review.
The training package document found outlines best practice for practice. RTOs training through Industry are required to outline their study leave package at the time of the authorisation visit.
Once you become a RTO, you can log vacancies within your firm that are open to students.
If you have a query, please refer to our Support & Services page and contact the relevant department with your query.
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Sure to be a hot favourite, this bra set features delicate lace overlay all over.
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The lightweight material makes this pretty set extra comfortable.
Adjustable straps are lined for softness. Comes with matching panty in a set.
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Additional Information


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Indexes Lead to Sources
Sources have citation information
When you perform a search in an online index you get a list of articles that match your search terms. The index provides important detailed information about the article, called a citation. Following is an example of a typical citation from an online index:
The labeled parts in the image -- the author, title, periodical name, date, volume/issue, and page number -- are also the parts you will need for your list of sources if you use the article.
Depending on the database you're using, the citation may look different, but all those parts should be there.
An online periodical index does much more than give you just the citation for an article. Depending on which index you are using, you might also get:
- an abstract, or summary, of the article
- the full text of the article
- additional search words and links to related articles
- the type of article


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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The advice from master to student over the past three years has been simple: Be prepared. Know what to do and how to do it.
"Fearless Felix" Baumgartner heeded Joe Kittinger's advice and followed it.
In the desert surrounding Roswell, N.M., on Sunday, Baumgartner broke Kittinger's world record for the highest and fastest free fall.
Baumgartner jumped from 128,100 feet, or about 24 miles, for the highest skydive -- more than four miles higher than Kittinger's jump in 1960, which was from 102,800 feet or 19.5 miles. He broke the sound barrier and more, achieving Mach 1.24.
A brief comparison of the two men and their endeavors:
Baumgartner is 43 and a former Austrian military parachutist with more than 2,500 jumps behind him.
Kittinger was 32 and a captain in the U.S. Air Force. He's now 84 and lives near Orlando, Fla. His record jump was his 33rd skydive.
Baumgartner accelerated to 833.9 mph to break the sound barrier, or Mach 1. He went beyond that, achieving Mach 1.24, according to preliminary data that must be confirmed with international aeronautic authorities. Kittinger was clocked at a maximum 614 mph, equivalent at that altitude to Mach 0.9.
Baumgartner ascended in a pressurized capsule hoisted by a 30 million-cubic-foot helium balloon, 335 feet tall when inflated. Kittinger rode an open, unpressurized gondola that was lifted by a 3 million-cubic-foot balloon, 184 feet tall when inflated.
Baumgartner wore a custom-made full-pressure suit. Kittinger wore an Air Force standard partial-pressure suit. He was initially claustrophobic in his suit and had counseling to overcome his anxiety.
"When you close your visor, it's your own little world. You don't hear anything from the outside anymore. The only thing that you hear is yourself breathing all the time. Then you start thinking about bad things and it's getting worse in a very short amount of time," Baumgartner said days before the jump. "Your brain sometimes does fancy things."
Kittinger, by contrast, was a test pilot and used to pressure suits. In 1972, his fighter jet was shot down and he ended up a Vietnam POW, surviving 11 months of torture at the "Hanoi Hilton" prison. In the next cell was Sen. John McCain.
Kittinger's Project Excelsior was Air Force. Baumgartner's Red Bull Stratos effort is sponsored by the energy drink maker.
Both men had two test jumps before the grand finale.
Red Bull Stratos: http://www.redbullstratos.com
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force: http://tinyurl.com/2dsnn6


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If you're like me, doing your work in different locations and at many different times, you know it's essential to be very organized.
In any given week, I'm likely to be working on a presentation at night at home, consulting with a student or colleague who is across the state or the Atlantic Ocean, developing materials with my grant team, drafting or polishing a scholarly article or review, doing research or attending a conference or event away from my home and workplace, or receiving students' papers Friday at midnight and grading them during the weekend. And, among all this, I may write a blog post or catch up on news and recently released research.
There are just so many different projects and moving pieces and they're done in so many different places.
You have your own mix of activities.
I've found I rely on six great web-based tools.
Four can be used from any computer and their basic versions are free. I've never had to pay a penny for these.
Two are for tablets. (In my case that's the first ipad made. It doesn't have a camera or a fancy screen, but it works for what I need.) They are inexpensive, but not free.
Here are the six great productivity tools I use the most:
1. Workflowy
Workflowy is a super way to keep everything organized, with the most basic form: the outline.
You start with big categories and nest subcategories within them.
Teaching is one of my big categories and the next level down includes the classes I'm currently teaching plus the independent study projects I'm overseeing. I can go into those and add notes, such as the reading list for a particular student's independent study project.
If you use a mobile device, you can update your list off-line and it will then synch when connected.
You can sign up for an account at Workflowy.com. There are lots of videos to help with more complex tasks but, overall, it is quite intuitive.
2. Dropbox
Dropbox can hold so many things – study guides for exams, essay assignments, drafts of papers I'm writing, pdfs of published articles, even photos.
When I give a presentation, I can open the Powerpoint from my Dropbox.
While it's easiest to use from a computer with the downloaded Dropbox software, you can also log in to the site from any computer and access your items. And you can share folders with others to the extent you want. If you want to use this, sign up at Dropbox.com.
3. Google Drive
Another great way to store and work on documents from any site is with Google Drive.
One advantage over Dropbox is that while Dropbox works with other programs, such as Powerpoint or Word, Google Docs is self-contained. You don't have to worry about using different word processing programs that may create conflicts. And the old versions of documents created with Google are automatically saved. It's also easy to share particular documents or folders.
A disadvantage is that, when it comes to writing, the word processing capabilities are very simple. I prefer using Word when I want to have particular formatting options.
But the ease of use is terrific. Moreover, once you're set to use Google Docs, it's easy to use other Google programs, such as their calendar or the photo sharing service, Picasa.
For my book Pathways to Polling, I did research in archives through the northeast. Rather than the slower and more expensive process of photocopying documents from the 1930s and 1949s, I took digital photos and then uploaded them to Picasa. These then became available to me wherever I logged in.
You need a free Google (gmail) account to use Google Drive.
4. Air Sketch
This is an ipad app that is wonderful for presentations, including teaching, if one has prepared a set of slides and saved them in pdf form.
What Airsketch allows you to do is to use a stylus to write on the slides on the ipad and have these notes projected onto the screen.
One slide might have a lot of numbers and, as you talk, you can circle some. Or you can write out an equation, showing how to solve a problem. Or you can ask a question and then write down different responses. It's quite flexible.
I typically use it for teaching. Unless you have a wireless projector, you have to have a laptop attached to the projector. From my ipad, I open a slide for a lecture via my Dropbox app on my ipad, then use an arrow at the top right to open it in Air Sketch. Then Air Sketch generates a web address (url). From a browser on a laptop, I put in the url and then what is on the ipad appears on the laptop screen, and so is projected for all to see.
Viola! After those steps, you can walk around with these slides, making it easy to interact with the students (or any other audience). Notes can be saved and emailed.
This is not a free app, but it works quite well. I've never had it crash on me and it is well worth the five or ten dollars that it cost.
5. Goodreader
Goodreader is one of many apps for reading and marking up pdfs. I use mine for teaching and research.
If I have an assignment for which students submit a draft and then revise before submitting a final draft, Goodreader is great. Students send their assignments to me electronically. If they are not in pdf format, I save them to pdf in my Dropbox. Then I can open the file in Goodreader, write on it with my stylus or by typing, then save it back to the Dropbox and email it back. This enables one to keep multiple versions, so you can see the extent to which revisions have changed.
I've used it for everything from an undergraduate honors thesis that was around a hundred pages to one or two page submissions.
For my research projects or for reading documents related to committee work, I can read these and mark them up, but not have to carry around all that paper. Any of these documents can be printed out if desired.
I paid 99 cents for this app. What a deal!
6. Zotero
Speaking of research, managing sources can be a big pain. If you're from a (ahem) certain generation, you remember writing sources on index cards, along with some notes.
My replacement, which I've used for twenty page papers and two hundred page books, is Zotero.
This is a web-based service that captures all the bibliographic information for an article, book, or report (among other things) and puts it in your own database. In most cases, you click on a symbol in your web browser and all the information goes, swoosh, right into the database.
Then, while you're writing, you access it to instantly create notes and bibliographies. If you decide you want those in a different format, you can change this with a click or two. In some cases, you can download the full text. You can write notes and you can easily share what you want with one person or a group.
Like Dropbox, Google Docs and Workflowy, your Zotero account is available from any computer that's connected to the internet. I've never needed more than the basic, free service.
For more information, go to Zotero.com.
One final word: Make sure you practice good internet security. Don't use the same password for all your accounts and create strong passwords for your use! Unsure what to do? Read "Creating a strong password is easier than you think."


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Darts Data Stick
Gadgets Design Focus: Darts Data Stick
A Good Gadgets design example, the Darts is a creative Data Stick design. Darts was designed in 2010, and here is a how it is described by its designer: Darts are designed from the idea that, when placed in computer the traditional USB flash disk look like Darts that are thrown into the wall, so why not take this idea further and arrive at a design that looks surprising and fun? Available in Red, Green and Blue as darts do. Darts USB Key could scare the hell out of your friends, if you plug it secretly, however it is overall a fun object with kind of toy-like feeling, available in different colors and perhaps different tails.
Darts Data Stick Images:
End of the article, click here to go back to previous page, or alternatively go back to A Design News homepage.


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I am in my kitchen smelling dirt. Three new plants a white kalanchoe and two red begonias sit on a stand at my window. It is April, nearly a decade ago, and I have bought them because it is finally spring. I admire their small, dense flowers and green, waxy leaves.
But I hadn't planned on their powerful, raw smell. Working around the house, I try to think about something else. When I go upstairs, the smell follows me, earthy, pushy, almost wet. I wonder how it is that I can smell three small houseplants on the floor below.
That afternoon, at the grocery, I can't shake their dank odor. Could the smell somehow have gotten into my clothes? A day later, miles away at my doctor's office in Manhattan, I am shocked that it smells there, too. But she has no potted plants.
I finally get it. This assertive smell, my uninvited companion for almost two days, is inside my head, not out. Mortified, I think I must smell. Talking to friends, I cover my mouth with my hand. I brush my teeth more often, swish mouthwash compulsively. But my husband says I smell fine no bad breath. I finally call my doctor.
I discover that I suffer from phantosmia. "Osmia," from the Greek osme, means "smell." Coupled with "phanto" (like "phantom"), it refers to an illusory sense of smell. I smell a smell when no odorant is present.
Inevitably, medical tests followed. I had an M.R.I. of my brain (ruling out a tumor), then a CT scan of my sinuses (looking for infection), and finally, an EEG (olfactory hallucinations do occur in epilepsy). The results were negative, and two rounds of antibiotics (was there a hidden nasal or sinus infection?) constituted my only and fruitless treatment.
One day a year later I realized that the earthly smell was finally gone. But to my dismay a new smell immediately took over. My husband had burned a big pot of chili. Burned chili became my new default odor. At least it smelled better than dirt.
Then, about seven years ago, a trip to Provence erased the chili. Lavender wafted in the air, becoming my new smell du jour. Southern France's lavender-infested landscape dried bouquets, scented soaps and candles, even flavorings for food trailed me back home. Some might think me lucky lavender is hugely popular. But I hated this smell that had squirmed its way into my brain.
I tried in vain to fool my nose. Holding lemons under my nose didn't kill the odor. Smearing pungent perfumes and lotions around my nose didn't work either. A powerful odor like ammonia might trump the lavender for a moment, but that cure is worse than the disease.
For a couple of years now, the smells have varied, some stronger than others. What's new is that these smells are only fleetingly connected to the outside world. Hints of ammonia but definitely not ammonia. Touches of a paper mill in their assertiveness but not quite that paper mill stench. When I smelled burned chili, I knew chili was out there somewhere. When I sniff my current guests, I can't connect them to the real world. They spook me like a phantom limb.
Sometimes I can't tell whether a smell is inside or outside my head. Walking my dog, I cried as I smelled manure, convinced it would lodge in my head. At home, I rejoiced that the stink was gone. The next day, the horrid smell reappeared at the same spot. This time I noticed the warning sign: gardeners had spread fertilizer. Only then did I know the smell was real.
Avoiding gruesome odors is my first line of defense. There's a coffee shop nearby that I simply won't enter. It's jam-packed with wooden barrels of reeking coffee beans; locals complain they can smell the roasting blocks away. I send my husband to buy coffee while I wait in the car with the windows up.
I've tried the opposite tactic, going out of my way to imprint favorite perfumes, fresh flowers, that wonderful bakery smell. Alas, my phantosmia specializes in the disagreeable.
That is typically the case, I now know. Dr. Donald Leopold, chairman of the department of otolaryngology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, has studied smell disorders for 30 years. In phantosmia, Dr. Leopold says, both the upper nasal passages and the brain play a part, especially the brain, "where the actual smell perception is generated."
Almost always the patient has lost some ability to smell. Dr. Leopold says that the brain, "which has a propensity to make smell," overcompensates by offering up odors, usually disagreeable ones, that may have existed previously but were suppressed. It appears that certain "traffic cop" neurons, which had worked to exclude such odors, turn off.
Though Dr. Leopold assures me that "treatment is available," I haven't tried the nasal saline drops, antidepressants, antiseizure medicines or sedatives recommended by one doctor or another. Mainly I try to think past the phantosmia, forcing my attention elsewhere. If that fails, I try to laugh at it, more absurd than awful. I win more of these skirmishes than one might expect.
I learn that this disorder is best kept private. Some friends squirm when they hear about it, as if I were crazy. For that matter, phantosmia is linked to certain psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer's), but I don't have them. I do wonder, though, what it means to hallucinate smell. Those neurological explanations aren't entirely satisfying. There's nothing plainer than the nose on my face, but nothing more mysterious, either.


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Commercial, Military, Products, Public Service, Training
By Staff Writer | June 1, 2005
Send Feedback
Help With Brownouts
With all due respect to Lt. Col. Steven F. Colby and his fellow military aviators, after reading his article on better ways to deal with brownouts, I couldn't help but make some comments ("Help With Brownouts," March 2005, page 42).
I have more than 30 years of commercial helicopter flying in a utility role in some of the harshest environments Mother Nature has to offer. I have never had the luxury of autopilots or any other form of stabilization. Thus, I was taught early on to use procedure to keep visual cues alive, especially during takeoff and landing.
There is seldom a reason that a normally loaded helicopter with skids couldn't take off and land in loose dust and snow without loosing visual reference. A helicopter with wheels turns seldom into almost never. The key is to not begin and end every flight with a prolonged hover.
On takeoff something as simple as a vertical stake in the ground will work long enough to transition to forward flight. I was taught to terminate every approach to a landing just in case I didn't have enough power to do otherwise. Shooting an approach to an exact spot uses that same annular flow the colonel was talking about to your advantage. The dust or snow tends to flow out, leaving better vision next to the helicopter. Without a small piece of permanent vegetation, a vertical stake has guided many heli-ski and other pilots to a safe arrival.
The military has always made a point to avoid or limit operation of aircraft in hostile environments. I submit that limiting their time outside of translational lift will have the same net effect as limiting their time in a battlefield. Based on the numbers Colonel Colby used, hovering in sand is far more dangerous.
Don't get me wrong, I like fancy technology as well as the next guy. It just seems to me a procedural solution exists now for a lot less money.
Rod Thomas
ASMEL Rotorcraft Helicopter
Gooding, Idaho
Steve Colby responds: I have to disagree wholeheartedly. I, too, have flown in the world's harshest environments, albeit for only the past 25 years, and have tried every trick in the book to stay out of the cloud. I can say unequivocally that it is impossible to stay out of the cloud with zero forward-airspeed touchdown in a low- to no-wind environment, especially in Afghanistan. This for military helicopters is a function of disk loading, which in Mr. Thomas' birds has been relatively low.
Impressed With Flirs
Your article on firefighting came out just as I was working with FLIR Systems on an airworthiness certificate for their multi-sensor camera mounted on a Bell 206 L3 ("Bigger, Faster, Better--Same Price?," March 2005, page 18). I was asked to ride along on one flight (not for purely technical reasons, but because I was a convenient movable shot bag for weight-and-balance purposes). When I saw what a great presentation could be seen using all of their ball-mounted sensors, I realized more people in the firefighting world should be exposed to forward-looking infrared sensors' capabilities. As an example, from 60 mi. away, we could zoom onto Mount Hood and clearly denote the glaciers and other features on the mountain. I thought the IR and visual optics were fascinating.
I previously worked for a heavy-lift logging and firefighting helicopter company, but GPS was the best we could use at the time. A gyro-stabilized flir may be able to stand up to the heavy translational vibrations expected on the crane-type helicopters. It should be added ASAP.
Possibly Rotor & Wing should present an article about the use of this system not just for firefighting but for so many more applications, like a miniaturized system to be mounted in police cars for child/criminal searches, just as helicopters are used for that today.
As you can tell, after seeing the system in operation, I believe as Tony the Tiger says: "It's Great!"
Jim Alexander
Designated Airworthiness Representative
Central Point, Ore.
Best for the President?
With all the talk of speed, range, lift capacity, security, and homegrown content, one big question was never answered in the whole selection battle for the U.S. VXX presidential helicopter program. As a pilot, a businessman, an investor, and a taxpayer, I would really like someone to tell me this: Why does the president need 23 helicopters?
I know that $6.1 billion will do a lot for Team US101, but just imagine what else we could do with some of that money. Personally, I'd rather buy him a baker's dozen and then put the rest of the cash into building some downtown helipads that we all could use.
Jon Stark
San Jose, Calif.
According to Douglas Isleib, U.S. Naval Air Systems Command's program manager for presidential helicopters program, 23 aircraft are needed because of "the global nature of the presidential support mission." This number allows for aircraft to be ready to fly the president, the vice president, foreign heads of state and other Defense Dept. officials within the U.S. capital region, and to meet maintenance, upgrade and pilot/aircrew training and proficiency requirements.
Engine Failure Particulars
Regarding Shawn Coyle's article on practicing emergencies, I would agree in principle ("The Reality of Turbine Autorotations," April 2005, page 62). It is true that simulated autorotations--if any--are performed with an eye toward avoiding damage to the helicopter and mostly with due respect to the height-velocity curve. I've heard from helicopter types who are not even permitted to conduct "real" autorotations due to risk of damage to the drive or gear.
I do not agree with Mr. Coyle's assessment of remaining engine power to the drive while throttling down to idle. The only effect will be a reduced friction within the free wheel unit (especialy on helicopters with single-shaft turbines like the mentioned Gazelle or Lama) due to the reduced rpm difference--which is hardly measurable--and the residual exhaust thrust of a few pounds. This should not reduce the rate of descent by that mentioned amount.
Mr. Coyle is completely right in emphasizing the human factor of surprise if any sudden malfunction happens in flight. So, consequently, one has to be ever alert while performing special missions that are close to the height-velocity curve borders, such as surveillance, power-line inspection or construction.
I remember vividly an incident during power-line stringing in 1976 when I happened to have a split rpm. indication on my Alouette 2 while hovering in 150 ft agl. close to a tower.
Luckily it was the first tower before crossing a large forest and so the consequent autorotation after hook release brought me well clear. Only after applying collective pitch did I learn that the turbine was still performing. Ground inspection revealed a broken drive shaft to the turbine rpm generator.
I had no time to count my pulse rate as I had to pick up a standby helicopter from our nearby base to continue the mission after this un-scheduled short break--and I finished in time.
Capt. Uwe Heins
Sessenheim, France
Whilst Shawn Coyle does us a service by pointing out that practice engine failures may not be like the real thing, I'm not sure about some of his reasoning. Shaft horsepower is shaft horsepower. By definition, it is measured at the shaft and is zero with the needles split (or the rotor stopped, but don't try this in flight). Thus Shawn's statement that we get 20 shp at idle is impossible.
If the hydraulic pump is on the engine, sure, hydraulic power is still available when the needles are split, but that power is to aid the pilot in operating the controls and isn't available to the rotor. If the hydraulic pump is on the rotor side of the one-way clutch, hydraulic power is still available if the engine fails. In both cases the autorotation performance with engine on or off will be the same once the needles are split.
However, in autorotation, the engine exhaust goes up through the rotor and the heat reduces the air density. At idle the efficiency of a turbine is zero and the whole fuel burn is converted to exhaust heat. Thus, if there is a difference between engine-idle and engine-off performance, it is more likely due to exhaust heat.
I wouldn't have thought the effect was that great, and the pilot could easily overcome it by reducing the rotor rpm, which extends autorotation performance significantly.
John Watkinson
Mr. Watkinson is the author of "The Art of the Helicopter," published by Elsevier Books.
Commercialized SAR
I was surprised to read the article from Lt. Andrew Severson with reference to the commercialization of military search-and-rescue units (Feedback, March 2005, page 7).
I am a ground engineer and my discipline is avionics. During my term in the Royal Navy, I spent a few years with a military SAR unit based at HMS Gannet in Prestwick, Scotland. The concerned unit was 819 NAS and it secondary role was SAR, despite that it was virtually guaranteed that we would be called upon to launch a helicopter at 15 min. notice, which we always seemed to be capable of achieving.
The aircraft at that time was a Westland Sea King HAS Mk.2. whose primary role was helicopter anti-submarine location and destruction. We had a hydraulic hoist attached to the aircraft for use in military and civil SAR operations. The crew, including the ground staff, were highly trained to carry out these operations. After nine years of service, I decided to join the civilian helicopter sector, working in the North Sea, and I can assure you that crews working within that environment are more skilled than their naval or air counterparts.
Most of the crews anyway come from a military background and have the relevant experience and training necessary to carry out multi-tasking within hazardous environments.
Moving to British Airways at Sumburgh in the Shetland Isles was my first crack at supporting a civilian SAR Unit. The crews were mostly ex-military like myself and knew what was to be expected of them. We supported the Sikorsky S-61N, which proved time and time again that it could carry out its tasking day or night.
After that, I moved to Aberdeen with Bristow Helicopters. At that time the company was very keen on training their engineers and I gained enough experience on types like S-61N, Bell 212, Bell 206, S-76a, AS332L, and SA330J to enable me to support a SAR unit based at Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland. We only had one aircraft, with a backup based at Shetland.
Because of the aircraft and the equipment chosen, along with the experience of the engineers, we very rarely needed to use that second aircraft while I was there, which was for a period of six months. We had 100-percent serviceability at all times.
This pleased the coast guard and today I still believe that Bristow Helicopters are continuing with the commercialization of SAR Units, which in my experience show that, within the United Kingdom, this is a good move as it releases military aircraft to carry out their assigned military role.
Do not misunderstand me. The SAR role for the military is still a viable one and should never be totally civilianized. To all you military pilots out there, the job you do retrieving aircrew from the oceans and the deserts of the world will always, I hope, belong to you and could never be taken over by a civilian company.
Licensed Avionic Engineer
Royal Flight Oman


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They're some of the most iconic horses in the country, each sporting a big white blaze, a deep bay coat, a soft black mane, and long white feathers. The dashing team of eight pulls a towering red beer wagon with a Dalmatian perched next to the driver. They are, of course, the Budweiser Clydesdales.
Each year, three Budweiser hitch teams travel the country making appearances at events ranging from parades to sporting events, and at each performance every horse looks a picture of health. How do these equine celebrities stay in top shape while traveling frequently? TheHorse.com asked Dave Thomas, supervisor of the East Coast hitch based in Merrimack, N.H., when his team made a recent visit to Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.
Although eight horses pull the Budweiser wagons at performances and appearances, 10 horses make each trip, said Thomas, who's worked with the Budweiser Clydesdales for 10 years. Thomas said his hitch's routine is to travel to a new destination each week, and because of this busy schedule the handlers are well-versed in minimizing horses' travel stress.
Thomas said the main way his team keeps its hitch happy and healthy is by limiting travel to around 500 miles a day and by stopping every two to three hours to check on the horses.
"If it's going to be a longer haul than that we'll find an overnight along the way to stop," he said. "We won't haul more than two days in a row; if it's longer than a two-day trip then we'll have a rest day built in."
At rest stops, Thomas and his team check to be sure the horses have eaten their hay and consumed some water. He said it's a red flag to him if a horse hasn't done either; that could indicate a horse is starting to colic, which Thomas said is his main health concern for the horses.
Fortunately, he said dealing with a severe colic is rare.
"We're pretty careful," he said. "That's one of the main reasons we try not to drive over 500 miles in a day. We don't (want to) stress them out."
Each hitch has its own veterinarian at its home stables, but if a veterinarian is needed while the team's on the road, Thomas said it will find and use a local practitioner.
"Here at Keeneland, we're pretty lucky," he said. "There's a vet running around all the time."
Once at their destination, the Clydesdales settle in. If there's no place for the horses to be turned out, Thomas said, handlers take them on walks or have them pull a special sled or the wagon for exercise.
Routine Care
Although they hold celebrity status, the Budweiser Clydesdales are regular horses, and they receive daily care that's pretty similar to most equines, Thomas said.
He maintains the horses in his hitch on a diet rich in grass hay, preferably timothy.
"We try to keep hay in front of them all the time," he said. He also noted the horses consume a concentrate and fat supplements "to help keep a shiny coat."
Thomas said some of the Clydesdales receive an oral joint supplement, while several of the older horses in the hitch receive injectable joint products. Meanwhile, he said, some horses have received chiropractic care with good results, but none of the horses are currently on a regular chiropractic program.
But, Thomas said, one challenge the Clydesdales face "constantly" is scratches: "That's probably one of our No. 1 enemies." According to "The Merck Veterinary Manual," "Scratches is a chronic, seborrheic (flaky skin) dermatitis characterized by hypertrophy (enlargement of the skin cells) and exudation (oozing) on the caudal (rear) surface of the pastern and fetlock. It often is associated with poor stable hygiene, but no specific cause is known. Heavy horses are particularly susceptible (potentially because their feathered legs can trap dirt and moisture)."
When it comes to treating scratches, Thomas said, "We've basically tried anything and everything that they make, and some products work better than others." The horses' caretakers frequently remove scratches scabs, and Thomas said they use a custom mixture on the horses' legs that works to both condition the feathers and control the scratches.
And like most horses, Thomas said, regular farriery care helps keep the Budweiser Clydesdales in top shape.
"The horses are reset every six weeks, no matter where we're at; our farrier comes and meets us," he explained. "We're on pavement quite a bit, so all the horses have Drill Tech (a type of traction aid) applied to the bottom of their shoes to help with traction."
Thomas said that one thing he knows now that he wishes he knew when he started working with the Clydesdales is that, "Draft horses are a little bit different than a regular saddle-type horse. You might think that you'd have to feed them quite a bit more, but with a lot of our horses, you really don't. Same thing if you're talking about health care … they metabolize things differently. That's something I didn't know before I started working with draft horses every day."


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2008-09 Season Primers: #17 – MAACPosted by rtmsf on October 26th, 2008
Ray Floriani from College Chalk Talk is the RTC correspondent for the Northeast (NEC) and Metro Atlantic Athletic (MAAC) conferences.
Predited Order of Finish:
- Siena (15-3, 20-8)
- Niagara (14-4, 21-10)
- Fairfield (13-5, 19-10)
- Rider (12-6, 19-10)
- Loyola (MD) (11-7, 16-13)
- Manhattan (9-9, 16-13)
- Iona (7-11, 11-17)
- Canisius (6-12, 10-19)
- St. Peter's (5-13, 11-18)
- Marist (4-14, 10-20)
WYN2K. The MAAC was formed in the 80s and tipped off the 1981-82 season. Yours truly covered the first MAAC contest ever, an Iona romp over Army at the Gaels' Mulcahy Center. The MAAC began with six charter members – Army, Fairfield, Fordham, Iona, Manhattan and St.Peter's. Four schools – Fairfield, Iona, Manhattan and St.Peter's – remain from that original group as change has altered the league over the years. The conference tournament previously alternated between Buffalo and Albany, but two years ago it was in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Last year Albany, NY, hosted it and will once again showcase it come this March. Some brief notes…
- Siena, the defending champion, returns a strong cast with three players who could be considered for player of the year honors: 6-3 senior guard Kenny Hasbrouck, 6-6 forward Edwin Ubilies and 6-5 forward Alex Franklin, both juniors.
- Niagara's fine junior guard Tyrone Lewis was MVP of the MAAC tournament as a freshman. Niagara captured the title in 2006-07.
- Niagara and Canisius (the 'dreaded' western New York swing) are a few miles apart, but six of the league members – Rider, St.Peter's, Iona, Manhattan, Fairfield and Rider – are within a 120 mile radius, which makes for a not too distant road trip.
Predicted Champion. Siena (#13 NCAA). The Saints captured last season's MAAC tournament championship, then gave a great showing in the NCAAs, as Siena defeated Vanderbilt 83-62 (see below) before falling to Villanova in the second round. That momentum of March should carry over into this year as coach Fran McCaffery has virtually everyone back. Siena, in theory, could make this a two bid league. If the Saints earn 15 or 16 conference wins, have a respectable non-conference showing against a murderous slate and get knocked out of the MAAC tournament, they could go as an at-large based on last year's strong NCAA showing. That idea, however, is not one the competitive McCaffery is looking at as a realistic option, nor is it likely to happen.
Others Considered. Niagara and Fairfield are the prime candidates. The Purple Eagles return an outstanding guard in junior Tyrone Lewis. Big East transfers Bilal Benn (Villanova), a 6-5 guard and 6-2 guard Rob Garrison (UConn) will contribute to a strong cast. Fairfield has a defensive reputation anchored by 6-8 junior Anthony Johnson (7.3 RPG and 43 blocks). Senior lead guard Jonathan Han is vital on offense. Han averaged 11.7 ppg while handing out 6 assists per outing. Rider is a dark horse. The Broncs have a sharpshooter in senior guard Harris Mansell (13.7 ppg) and return another Thompson. Ryan Thompson, Jason's brother, is a 6-6 junior forward who is a strong player (15 ppg) in his own right.
Key Games/RPI Boosters.
- Rider @ St.Joseph's (11/14/08)
- Fairfield @ Memphis (11/15/08)
- Niagara @ Villanova (Hoop Group Classic – Philadelphia) (11/19/08)
- Siena v. Tennessee (Old Spice Classic) (11/27/08)
- Marist @ Memphis (12/2/08)
- Rider v. Rutgers (Trenton) (12/3/08)
- Niagara @ Loyola (MD) (12/7/08)
- Seton Hall v. St.Peter's (Jersey City) (12/13/08)
- Siena @ Pitt (12/17/08)
- Iona @ Ohio State (12/20/08)
- Marist @ St. John's (Holiday Festival) (12/20-21/08)
- Fairfield @ UConn (12/26/08)
- Loyola (MD) @ Duke (12/31/08)
- Siena @ Kansas (1/6/09)
- Manhattan v. Iona (MSG) (1/24/09)
- Siena @ Niagara (2/27/09)
- Loyola (MD) @ Iona (3/1/09)
- Jimmy Patsos has been on the job four years at Loyola (MD) and he has the second LONGEST tenure in the conference. The 'grey beard' among the group is Joe Mihalich who has been at Niagara for a decade. Mihalich has only had one season below .500 during his tenure.
- Siena committed only 11.1 turnovers per game last season. Their turnover rating (TO divided by possessions) was 15.4 (anything under 20.0 is excellent).
- Niagara has won at least a dozen MAAC contests in 8 of the past 10 seasons.
65 Team Era. MAAC schools have been a traditionally tough out and in several cases, got a win under their belt before a competitive second round exit. The conference is 6-25 (.194) over the era, but two of those wins are from the PiG (2002 and 2007). But in four of the last seven NCAA Tournaments, the MAAC has won a game in the Big Dance. Last year Siena thoroughly dominated #4 Vanderbilt in the first round, which should help the Saints cause several ways this winter. Besides Siena, LaSalle (1990) and Manhattan (1995 and 2004) were the other conference schools to post a first round NCAA win.
Final Thoughts.
- It was ironic that NBA scouts monitored the progress of Rider big man Jason Thompson last winter because the MAAC, for years, has been known as a guard oriented league. Thompson was the twelfth player to go in last June's NBA draft.
- The MAAC runs a unique postseason tournament (others conferences do it but there aren't many) in that both the men and women play their tournaments at the same site. This gives the true hoop junkie a chance to see each school's program showcased on the men's and women's side. It also makes for a real 'good feeling' atmosphere that reaffirms what college athletics is all about. It's not uncommon to see a men's team take a break from preparations to sit in the stands and cheer the women's team on and vice versa.
- Under the watch of veteran Commissioner Rich Ensor, the MAAC has been a pleasant media experience and the same for its fan base.
- Cold winter nights at Manhattan's Draddy Gym are classic. Where else can you sit press row with the 'ubiquitous' Ronnie (the ultra Jasper supporter) on one side and the school's president, Brother Thomas Scanlon, on the other?


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Just like to suggest something (apologies if it has been discussed before).
But I think it would be good idea just to have one thread dedicated to a player like Tendulkar. It is clear that he demands lot of attention. I think it might good idea to have a thread for him so all the news and possibly most of the discussions can be had in one thread.
Lot of times, new threads are created for little things which can all be put in one giant thread without notably reducing its substance/value/purpose.
May help keep CC little more organized.


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"Their Comfort"
Their comfort comes from stations on the bank
Of all great rivers—their trubutaries, benchmarks, watersheds
And monuments to past and present zeitgeists; their glories led
By strange humility in masters whose histories are blank
About whom generations cavil and invoke
In lesser moments of a meaner age that lean toward
More prosaïc goals, gilded frames made equal to the framed to ward
Off periodic national stagnation in swarms as guilds of artisans. They must evoke
A wonder in the people that makes them wondrous and close upon an awe
Amongst the gods. In the end such suns disperse such light
As cannot be masked nor can the transitory might
Of kings suppress such eagles, neither nets nor censors, nor the law.
And here lies Shakespeare, Father of the modern text in torrents at the summit
Of tongues that roar so loud and thunder in the index. A moment, then, when
Pausing in the atrium, the job is done, and there's no real choice
But rest and calibrate the immediate that cannot last; tasks, last of many, voiced
Throughout years of waste and work will one day send
A massive missive of relief, the wages of a single flaw with thanks
To weighty sentiments and fond farewells with perhaps a single sequel; cheer
And weathered pride allied to see me on beyond, and further than fear
To take a few steps–arrogantly, yes, perhaps–fresh tracks on paths that rank
Above all present trumps and peculiars of this earth:
I have the fewer moments through to the end,. Yes, I know
And will it so or else the hours devour the weekly flow
Of days and nights to prove life's lavas' heat and light have spent their worth.
Yes, again, and what of miseries in days beyond this present strife,
Born within the darkness of the first, the energies of the present, laced with beauties far beyond the simple dénouement and all heroïc gestures seen here
but dimly in the mirror of the diamond prism of that third and better life?


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Rupert Murdoch Lashes Out Bizarrely Against The White House For Asking Congress Not To Break The Internet
from the get-your-stories-straight deptWhile the lobbyists favoring SOPA/PIPA have decided that the talking point on the White House's statement opposing SOPA/PIPA as written really means that the bills, as they are, are great, it appears that no one sent Rupert Murdoch the talking points. Murdoch, who has been personally lobbying Congress in support of the bills, took to his relatively new Twitter account to lash out at the President:
So Obama has thrown in his lot withSilicon Valley paymasters who threaten allsoftware creators with piracy, plain thievery. -— Rupert Murdoch(@rupertmurdoch) January 14, 2012
Piracy leader is Google who streams movies free, sells advts around them.No wonder pouring millions into lobbying.— Rupert Murdoch(@rupertmurdoch) January 14, 2012
Film making risky as hell. This has to lead to less, hurting writers, actors, all concerned.— Rupert Murdoch(@rupertmurdoch) January 14, 2012
Next, when it comes to streaming films, it's true that Google puts advertising around certain videos on YouTube. However, it's not all videos, and their system (quite famously) allows the actual copyright holder to make the money from those ads, leading to a rather lucrative new revenue stream for many content creators. Furthermore, for years, people have mocked YouTube for losing a ton of money, so it's not like this is a particularly lucrative part of Google's business. As for filmmaking being "risky as hell," so what? Lots of things are risky, but most of us don't think that the government should censor free speech, break internet security and create massive undue litigation... just to make Rupert's investments less risky. That he seems to think that's a reasonable tradeoff shows just how Rupert Murdoch views the government: as a tool to funnel extra money to himself. Furthermore, his claims that it will lead to "less" are just laughable as well. The number of movies made per year has more than tripled in the past fifteen years, just as online piracy ramped up. Also, Nigeria, China and India -- three countries known to have more infringement than the US -- all built up huge film businesses over the last few years, despite all the infringement.
After thinking about it for a few hours, Murdoch went right back to it:
Seems like universal anger with Optus from all sorts of normal supporters.Maybe backing pirates a rare miscalculation by friend Axelrod.— Rupert Murdoch(@rupertmurdoch) January 16, 2012
More pirates.Whole entertainment ind employs 2.2 million ave salary 65 g. Good jobs and expanding foreign earnings. Made in America, too!— Rupert Murdoch(@rupertmurdoch) January 16, 2012
As was highlighted in an excellent report by Zach Carter just last month, the 2.2 million jobs number is complete bunk:
[The] 2.2 million jobs figure, however, exaggerates Hollywood's contribution to the American economy. According to supplemental data provided to HuffPost by MPAA, only 272,000 people work for movie studios and television companies. The lobby group claims that an additional 430,000 people work in related "distribution" jobs dependent on Hollywood, legal web streamers like Netflix, the few remaining video store clerks and cashiers checking out DVD purchases.Yeah. 1.6 million of those jobs are not actually in the entertainment industry at all. Rupe, before you tweet, perhaps try learning the details of the "facts" you're about to spew so you look a little less ridiculous next time.
But the vast majority of the jobs Dodd & Co. claim are threatened by online piracy are only peripherally related to the entertainment business. MPAA takes credit for nearly 1.6 million jobs at florists, catering companies, hardware stores and other industries that work with major movie studios, assuming that these jobs could not ultimately be out of a job without Hollywood help.
Filed Under: pipa, protect ip, rupert murdoch, sopa, the white house
Companies: news corp.


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|Download user manual
Introducing the LG K30 - a smartphone that's designed to impress. It looks good and feels great, so your customers will know it's the perfect fit the moment they pick it up. With a sharp, quick camera and plenty of power, they'll do what they do best: make memories, create and conquer.


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Why Innovation Is Under Attack
from the three-reasons deptThis is a guest post from Michael A. Carrier, law professor at Rutgers and the author of the excellent book Innovation for the 21st Century, which covers many of the issues we regularly talk about here.
Innovation is under siege. Techdirt has cataloged the threats posed by increasingly aggressive copyright laws. I'd like to offer three reasons why we find ourselves in this situation.
- The first reason is the overheated rhetoric used by copyright holders. Today's debate takes place on a playing field marked by "theft," "piracy," "absolute property," and "rogue websites." The terms are trumpeted from the highest echelons of government. They are bellowed from Hollywood and the record labels. And they have controlled the debate.
It does not matter that the assertions are false. Nowhere (other than in the mythical world propounded by copyright holders) do property owners have absolute rights. The rights to exclude, use, and transfer that make up property law are subject to at least 50 limits, such as easements, zoning, eminent domain, public access to beaches, and anti-discrimination laws.
It is also crystal clear that taking a physical good (and leaving nothing for others) is far different than "taking" a copyrighted work (which, as sampling shows, can increase demand). The nonrivalrous nature of the copyrighted work means that one person�s consumption does not diminish the amount left for others to consume. In fact, "pirates" often are some of the entertainment industry's best customers.
- The second reason for the threats to innovation is copyright owners' panic upon the introduction of new technologies. John Phillip Sousa thought the player piano would lead to "a marked deterioration in American music." Jack Valenti famously thought the VCR was to the American public as "the Boston strangler is to the woman home alone." The panic has extended to numerous
technologies, including MP3 players, p2p software, DVRs, and digital radio and TV.
But in fearing the potential of the new business models, copyright holders offer a classic example of market leaders that fail to appreciate disruptive innovation. Clayton Christensen famously showed that, when faced with a new technology that threatens to upset a profitable business model, market leaders tend not to appreciate the full potential of the new paradigm.
A decade ago, the recording industry responded to Napster, which was striving to be "the online distribution channel for the record labels," not by striking a deal that would have seamlessly transported the industry into the digital era, but by suing it. While the record labels may have won the battle in shutting down Napster, they began to lose the war, as former users migrated to other p2p networks.
- The third reason is what I call the "innovation asymmetry." By that I mean that courts and policymakers overemphasize the importance of infringement. Infringing uses of a technology are presented on a silver platter by copyright holders that have every incentive and ability to highlight figures of "massive" infringement, however flawed they may be.
In contrast, the noninfringing uses are more abstract and not advanced by such a band of zealous advocates. It is difficult to put a dollar figure on the benefits of enhanced communication and interaction. In addition, the uses are more fully developed over time. When a new technology is introduced, no one, including the inventor, knows all of the beneficial uses to which it will eventually be put.
Just to offer two examples, Alexander Graham Bell thought the telephone would be used to broadcast the daily news, and Thomas Edison thought the phonograph would be used to record the wishes of old men on their death beds. Nor is the disappearance of the new technology likely to be lamented, as it will not disrupt settled expectations. This asymmetry, combined with costly litigation (which ensnares small technology makers in a web of complex tests and unaffordable lawsuits) explains why courts do not appreciate innovative technologies.
Filed Under: attack, innovation, threats


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Researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center presented interim findings of the multi-center Phase 2 study at the 54th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition.
"I believe we are witnessing a breakthrough in mantle cell lymphoma. This is great news for patients," said Michael Wang, M.D., associate professor in MD Anderson's Departments of Lymphoma and Myeloma and Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. Wang is lead author of the study.
Wang, director of the mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) program at MD Anderson, has spent the past 12 years researching the disease, including clinical trials of proteasome inhibitors, immune-modulating agents and an mTOR inhibitor.
"In a heavily treated relapsed or refractory population, oral ibrutinib induced a response rate as high as 70 percent - better than any other single agent ever tested in MCL," he said. "The response is durable with a long progression-free survival. "
Dangerous disease presents treatment challenges
MCL is a rare and aggressive B-cell subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that, according to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, accounts for 6 percent of non-Hodgkin cases. Despite high response rates to initial combination-drug chemotherapy, which is highly toxic, patients often relapse.
Bruton's tyrosine kinase is a mediator of B cell receptor signaling, which is essential for normal B-cell development. Ibrutinib inhibits Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), causing cell death and decreasing cellular migration and adhesion in malignant B-cells.
"The foundation for this clinical success is based on biology," Wang said. "The B-cell receptor pathway is critical in B-cell lymphoma. BTK is the driver molecule in this pathway, and ibrutinib targets the BTK molecule."
Oral medication
Preliminary results reported at ASH in 2011 included 51 patients and demonstrated ibrutinib can achieve rapid response, including complete response, in relapsed and resistant MCL.
To date, 115 people have enrolled in the study. Of these patients, 110 were evaluated for the drug's efficacy. Patients had a median age of 68 years, time since diagnosis of 42 months, three prior treatments and 77 percent had stage 4 disease.
Ibrutinib was given orally at 560 mg daily in continuous 28-day cycles until disease progression.
Strong results, low toxicity
With a median follow-up period of 9.2 months, overall response rate was 68 percent, and complete remission rate was 22 percent.
Responses increased with longer time on study treatment:
- Median time to partial response was two months
- Median time to complete remission was four months
- Median time on treatment was six months
- 53 percent of subjects remain on treatment
- Overall response rate of 75 percent
- Complete remissions in 39 percent
- Median time on study treatment 15 months
Most side effects were minor and included diarrhea, fatigue, upper respiratory tract infections, nausea and rash. Grade 3 or higher effects included low white cell blood counts, anemia and diarrhea. One case of pneumonia was thought to be treatment-related. This was consistent with safety data previously reported, Wang said.
A pivotal study in relapsed and refractory MCL patients following bortezomib treatment has begun.


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> Academics > Course
Descriptions > Undergraduate
Course Subjects
MUSI 1311 (3-3-0) Music Theory IA step-by-step study of the basic organization of music, from scale and chord structure to traditional four-part harmony. Students develop skills in analyzing music, writing elementary tonal music, and improvising written harmonizations to melodic lines. Fall, Spring, Summer.Prerequisite: MUSI 1300 or a passing score on the Theory Placement Exam.
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Business Info
From small to large, country to city, each FoodWorks is different as they are all independently owned and operated.
We have over 650 supermarkets and convenience stores across Australia who look after more than 3 million customers a week. More than 400 of our retailers are clearly distinguished by our colourful orange and green FoodWorks logo.
FoodWorks retailers pride themselves on offering a contemporary approach to grocery shopping whilst still retaining friendly, community-focused relationships with their customers.
What sets our retailers apart from the other supermarket brands is each FoodWorks store is owned and operated by locals who know their community and their customers. In the majority of cases, their community support and fundraising initiatives are re-invested back into their local communities. (more)
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Somebody very smart once said that "All of life boils down to perspective," and I have to agree that the biggest reason that we truly do get better as we get older is the broadening of our perspective. In the November issue of Financial Planning magazine, Bob Veres relied upon his vast industry perspective to write an insightful piece called "The FPA's Dilemma," in which he voices his disappointment about how the FPA has turned out since the merger between the IAFP and the ICFP in 2000. With the debate still raging in Washington about the future of retail financial advice in America, it does seem a good time to ponder how the "profession" of financial planning has fared in its little corner of the financial services world. (The FPA leadership wrote an exclusive rejoinder to its critics on AdvisorOne on Nov. 8; read it here.)
I have to admit to feeling a sense of deja vu myself reading Bob describing how he felt while walking through the exhibit hall at the FPA Experience in September—being transported back to the old tax shelter days by the annuity and REIT sales folks. While I didn't go to San Diego, I've had similar feelings at recent FPA conferences. At least part of the reason for this notable shift away from a predominance of mutual funds in exhibit halls across the country is the dramatic reversal of the markets themselves.
When Bob and I started covering financial planners, a "prudently allocated" client portfolio contained real estate, gold, and oil and gas. This made a certain amount of sense because inflation was at double digits while the stock market had been flat for 17 years. Then oil prices plummeted, Fed Chairman Paul Volcker got inflation under control, President Reagan lowered the income tax rates and the markets took off on what was essentially a 27-year bull market (with a few "adjustments" along the way).
It was the Golden Age of financial planning, during which the emergence of fee compensation on allocated portfolios of no-load equity mutual funds enabled virtually anyone who could fog a mirror to make fortunes for their clients, provided that they didn't panic and sell. But while independent planners and their clients prospered, the financial planning associations didn't fare so well. The mutual fund companies were more established investment businesses, declining to pay the lavish sponsorship fees that had been doled out by tax shelter and limited partnership sponsors. And association economics suffered.
Hardest hit was the ICFP, with membership restricted to CFPs, and which carefully limited its sponsorship support of conferences and publications in the best of times. At the same time, the majority of financial planners had become fee compensated and was moving toward creating a true profession. Merging the more professional ICFP into the larger, better-funded trade association that was the IAFP appeared to be a win-win-win for both organizations, and for the whole of financial planning.
And like Bob Veres, I and many other observers strongly supported the merger. The benefits of a single financial planning organization moving toward a profession seemed to outweigh any negatives. But like the Continental Congress sidestepping the thorny slavery issue to reach consensus, in order to form the FPA the leaders of both associations gave lip service to creating a profession and largely ignored the role that industry sponsorships would play in the new organization.
So far, the FPA has made three major contributions to establishing a profession of financial planning. First, it eliminated a major conflict of interest by asking the independent B/Ds to form their own organization. (Not that BDs are bad per se, but their business agendas are not always in line with professional concerns.) Next, the FPA challenged the SEC and the brokerage industry over expanding the advisory brokerage exemption to managing client assets—and won. It was a major step in clarifying the line between professional advisors and sales folks.
And finally, the FPA joined with the CFP Board and NAPFA to form the financial planning coalition, largely to present a unified front in Washington over the writing of Dodd-Frank and its resulting regulation. While I, and many others, have been critical of the effectiveness of the Coalition's efforts, the bigger picture is that the financial planning community actually spoke with one voice for the first time in, well, ever.
Certainly the FPA is still struggling to overcome its trade association roots, and its stumbling toward a profession is often frustrating to watch. But the bigger picture is that it's moving in the right direction on many fronts. Hopefully, the FPA will continue to take the lead by absorbing the professionalism of CFPs and NAPFA, and mitigate the marketing inclinations of the CFP Board, in moving toward a profession that financial consumers can rely on for sound, client-centered financial advice.


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Racine police warn of Craigslist trap
Thieves are using Craigslist to commit armed robberies and police are urging caution.
Racine police said the victims have all been prospective car buyers who have been lured into a trap.
Steven Olsen lives in the Racine neighborhood where police said criminals used Craigslist to lure car buyers into a trap Friday -- an armed robbery which was the third in a series.
"At least one of the suspects in each of the incidents was armed with a handgun," Racine police Sgt. Jessie Metoyer said.
Police said all of the robberies happened in the southwest side of Racine. The most recent was at 2 a.m. Friday in the 2600 block of Blaine Avenue.
The second robbery was around 11 a.m. Thursday morning at a different location. The first Craigslist robbery was around 8 p.m. Feb. 27.
Metoyer said Craigslist users need to be on guard.
"We're just asking people to be extra vigilant and cautious when conducting these transactions," Metoyer said.
"It's odd, very odd. So it has to be somebody from outside the neighborhood," Olsen said.
Police said they hope there aren't new victims and that the robbers don't shoot anyone.
Racine police have the following advice if you're going to buy something off Craigslist:
--Meet the seller at a police station or busy gas station
--If they won't meet there, don't buy
--Research the other party and what they're selling
--Never meet someone at a private residence or an apartment building parking lot