Monday, July 30, 2012

Commercial Real Estate Terms: O-Z | Real Estate Home Network

Commercial real estate is distinctly different from residential real estate. The terminology is very different and here is a list of new terms from O to Z.

Commercial Real Estate Terms: O-Z

Operating Expenses: Just as it sounds, operating expenses are those costs associated with operating a commercial property. Contract and state law typically govern the exact nature of the operating expenses.

Partition Wall: A wall built in the internal area of a suite to divide the general space. For instance, offices built during a tenant improvement project with have partition walls separating them.

Punch List: A punch list runs part and parcel with a walk through of completed construction work. The construction company and client will walk through the area and complete a punch list of items that need to be fixed or modified. .

Shell Space: The interior of a commercial building that has been completed, but does not yet have any tenant build outs. The shell space generally refers to this gross square footage regardless of whether tenant improvements have occurred or not.

Substantial Completion: Notice given by a contractor to the client indicating the property has been completed to the point where a walk through and punch list review are appropriate.

Usable Square Feet: The square feet in a building, suite, warehouse and so on that can actually be used by tenants. Due to building regulations and design issues, certain amounts of a space in a tenant suite may not be usable and such footage is excluded from this calculation

Unlike residential real estate, commercial real estate is primarily considered a business transaction or business real estate. Learn the terms and you?re well on your way to moving smoothly through the process.

Source: http://realestatehomenetwork.com/commercial-real-estate-terms-o-z/

kennedy assassination jfk assassination pie crust recipe heritage foundation dancing with the stars results 2011 ali fedotowsky ali fedotowsky

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Science & the Public: We?re not Weekly Reader . . .

We?re not Weekly Reader . . .

That magazine?s demise does not signal an end to kids? need for reliable news ? especially about science

Web edition : 5:57 pm

I read with sadness this week that Weekly Reader is about to disappear.

Earlier this year, Scholastic Classroom Magazines purchased the publication, one that had been an iconic source of news (throughout my elementary-school years, anyway). The buyer already had 28 subject-specific publications. It will now begin ?combining the features of Weekly Reader into the Scholastic classroom magazines,? says Cathy Lasiewicz, with Scholastic in New York City. ?There will be some co-branding,? she told me, meaning vestiges of the old publication?s name may be appended to the occasional Scholastic title.

As much as I?ll miss the idea of the venerable Weekly Reader living on, I also have to admit to a bit of a love/hate relationship with it. This conflict developed in the ?70s, shortly after I joined the staff here.

When I identified my affiliation, people frequently asked: ?Science News ? hmmm: Isn?t that the Weekly Reader of science??

Well, no. And the comparison invariably irked me, because equating a magazine designed for grade-school children with we did with seemed so wrong. The news we labored to shoehorn into print each week had been targeted to meet the needs of curious (and often quite science-literate) individuals ? adults seeking to make sense of their increasingly complex world.

No one has confused us for a kids? publication in perhaps a quarter century. But Science News recognized a need to keep kids captivated by research advances, particularly throughout that middle school window when a fascination with science and tech so often threatens to flag. The result: We launched Science News for Kids in early 2003.

It took a while for SNK to find its niche and attain some much warranted visibility. Today this online magazine reaches more than 1.3 million people annually.

But even this is not the Weekly Reader of science. Free of charge ? and free of advertising ? it now posts between 2 and 6 news and feature stories some 50 weeks a year. Each is archived for retrieval at any time from anywhere (our readers have been logging in from 200-plus countries and territories).

Most of our offerings target students in middle school, although we hear there is a significant spillover into younger and older age groups. SNK?s feature stories often introduce serious and cutting edge topics, everything from dark matter and epigenetics to fracking and electronic tattoos. We know that some appeal largely because they're?just fun or quirky, like the science of mummies, legless amphibians and creating meat in the test-tube.

But none of these stories are superficial. They don?t dumb subjects down. Instead, we just make new developments ? and the controversies that may surround them ? accessible to kids who may arrive at our site with a limited vocabulary or knowledge base.

SNK?s far shorter news stories tend to digest new developments that were recently covered in Science News. Increasingly, however, even these stories may be original to the kids? site. Among several that have proven popular: why dog?s paws don?t get frostbite, how the sun can power self-cleaning clothes and a new way to harvest energy from temperature changes.

A Cool Jobs series debuted this year. Each of the dozen stories that has begun rolling out profiles a trio of researchers that have something in common. It may be their research discipline (like robotics or math), where they conduct research (in the field) or what served as their initial motivation (something they?ve loved since childhood). The series? goal is to broaden kids? horizons on the many interesting ? and perhaps unexpected ? careers that depend on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (the STEM fields). We don?t expect kids to necessarily be looking to answer that perennial what do you want to do when you grow up question. And that?s why we?ve designed each of these pieces to sell itself on the basis of the interesting work that the profiled researchers do.

Over the past year, the site has also begun developing stories explicitly aimed at adults.

The first batch described how parents and mentors can help kids begin the research that could lead to science competitions, including those created and administered by our parent organization, Society for Science & the Public. Another thought-provoking pair of stories recently covered the integral role of creativity in science and the idea that the scientific method ? as the way that good science is conducted ? may actually constitute a myth.

Teachers have told us that they like our stories as a supplement to their required curricula (see a smattering of comments). To help others figure out how to use news, we posted a feature today in which teachers share their experiences introducing current events in the classroom, pointing to what works and what doesn?t. Among those sources that have proved useful: stories from Science News and Science News for Kids.

If you haven?t seen us, check out our site. If you are among the many returning visitors, thanks for appreciating the news that my dedicated team of writers and editors brings to kids from 9 to 99.?And if you?re a teacher or?other regular reader of Science News for Kids, please feel free to weigh in on what you like, what you don?t and what additional features or content you?d most appreciate seeing.???????????


Found in: Science & Society and Science News For Kids

Source: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/342549/title/We%E2%80%99re_not_Weekly_Reader_._._._

justin timberlake engaged bluefin tuna jonestown john dillinger carlos zambrano clemson pellet gun

Kinder Morgan Energy 55% Overvalued, Strong Sell

Kinder Morgan Energy (KMP) is an oil and gas company in the United States operating a pipeline transportation system. Kinder Morgan transports gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, and natural gas liquids in North America. The company is structured as an MLP, and works in the same field as competitors Enbridge Energy (EEP) and Plains All American Pipeline (PAA). KMP has a market capitalization of $29 billion.

Reasons Why Kinder Morgan Is Overvalued

The main reason for my bearish stance is a mismatch between KMP's operating performance and dividend distributions, which I consider unsustainable in the long-run. Kinder Morgan just announced disappointing Q2 earnings:

  • Revenues came in at $1.85 billion, which is about 5% lower compared to last year, and missed consensus estimates by $350 million
  • Net earningsYOY are down a whopping 33%
  • EPS came in at $0.37, missing consensus by a healthy 21%.

At the same time when revenues fall and do not meet expectations, the company increases its quarterly dividend to $0.35, up 16.6%. I think this is a wrong signal to send in terms of sustainability, especially considering a relatively high leverage ratio of 1.8x.

Given the volatility in EPS and EPS growth forecasts, high leverage ratios and high dividends, Kinder Morgan stock is highly risky. Analysts are expecting an earnings CAGR of 5% over the next five years. That is not enough to justify an extreme P/E ratio of 34. At 59, tThe P/CF ratio also indicates extreme overvaluation, with Kinder Morgan being overdue for a correction in the share price.

The bull thesis revolves around the idea of high dividends -- similar to mREITs such Annaly (NLY), American Capital Agency (AGNC) and Chimera (CIM) -- which are temporarily popular until the reality of lower earnings and dividends renders their thesis meaningless. Currently, Kinder pays a dividend of 5.61%, with investors neglecting the riskiness and volatility of the oil and gas business.

Investors are also faced with dilution risk, which results in investors receiving a proportionately lower share of earnings if they do not subscribe to new shares. Capital increases are often done to finance capex or bring leverage ratios down.

Analysts estimate an average 2013 EPS of $2.54. Kinder Morgan metrics deserve a multiple of 15 (maximum, in my opinion) which yields a fair value of $38.1. A current quote of $85.58 exhibits huge downside potential of 55%, which is why I rate Kinder Morgan a Sell.

Technically, the company trades strongly. The stock has broken through the upper bound of its downward sloping trend canal, and posts a steep increase from $75 to $85.58 in the last three weeks. I suggest that Kinder is currently overbought, and could test a re-entry into the trend canal. The company trades at close to its 52 week high of $90.60. Traders may want to wait and see if Kinder Morgan can surpass its 52 week high, which would result in immediate upside potential as momentum-driven traders are attracted to the stock. My near term perspective is for correcting stock prices. Correspondingly, I rate Kinder Morgan a Hold from a technical perspective.

Disclosure: I am short NLY, AGNC.

Source: http://seekingalpha.com/article/741181-kinder-morgan-energy-55-overvalued-strong-sell?source=feed

jacksonville jaguars benjarvus green ellis shaka smart olympics hungergames bagpipes aspirin

Monday, July 23, 2012

Romney to meet Cameron, Miliband on UK trip

[ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

[ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/romney-meet-cameron-miliband-uk-trip-141043893.html

pro bowl 2012 rick santorum daughter gainesville 2012 royal rumble the grey machine gun kelly saul alinsky

Using A Crockpot To Cook Beef Stew

Kitchen Knife Set

For all those busy homemakers out there, get your crock pot or slow cooker ready, and make a scrumptious dish that would not take a lot of your time and effort. Plus, you won?t even have to slave over the stove.

Sidebar : Click JA Henckels Knife Set for the very best knives from master artisans to make your cooking and food preparation easier.

Nowadays, progressively more businesses are using inside crockpots while preparing food food with regard to their households. Working with the crockpot to create meals and treats of the loved ones is indeed a time short-cut whether you could be working away or sometimes residing in your personal home. For those who to use your crockpot, you just merge together the ingredients you?ll need for finding a particular recipe, and afterwards cover it considering the lid. You will want to set the temperature, and in addition you permit it to cook for their needed duration of time to combine the flavors and make it until they are delightful and tender.

If you are willing to conserve time in your kitchen functions, whilst still being wishes to create a delicious food that you can absolutely please you along with your family members, you could are interested in learning throughout the techniques on the way to cook beef stew crockpot dishes.

Sidebar : Get a sous vide supreme as your next kitchen appliance.

Crockpot Beef Steak and Mushroom Gravy Recipes

Ingredients:

1 cup of flour

1 teaspoon of pepper

1 teaspoon of garlic salt

1 teaspoon of salt

1 cup of water

3 pounds of cubes steak

1 can drained sliced mushrooms at 4 ounce

1 can cream mushroom soup at 10 ounce

Instructions:

Combine in general elements just like flour, pepper, and salt, and wake well. Put the steak cubes, though makes it rolled in flour concoction. Put it aside until required. Prepare the crockpot with the most favorable fire. The particular medium size mixing container, put liquid, drained cut up mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, apart from garlic salt. Mix to combine the constituents perfectly. Put the floured steak cubes regarding the crockpot, and range from the mushroom gravy above the floured steak. Cover it and next cook for six to 8 hours on low flame. If you are usually in a rush, you might also cook your meal on high temperature level for 3 to 4 hours. After cooking, serve your meals with pasta noodles or sift.

If you love tracking down a easy yet delightful beef stew crockpot recipes, you should figure out to be able to make an additional delightful and amazing b beef stew crockpot dishes. If that?s the case, see to it to receive a leisure time for research on this cookbook within the web. There a bunch of more great yummy meal planning Tips For you.

Sidebar : Check out quality knife sets, including Henckels Twin Cuisine 8 Piece Knife Set with Block to make your cooking and food preparation easier.

Remember the fact that there isn?t any wrong or right how you can lay out this meal. Only have sufficient time and think at the different tastes you yearn for very own in the dish. Get the easiest technique to to get process completed enjoy yourself considering the meal you have built promptly along with your family members.

?

Source: http://blog-food-drinks-recipes.mysurechoice.com/2320/using-a-crockpot-to-cook-beef-stew/

big sean sherri shepherd sherri shepherd arkansas razorbacks trisomy 18 ozzie guillen ozzie guillen

Friday, July 20, 2012

User:Tqg4qcvyXsg - WCell Wiki

From WCell Wiki

Have you got your website on the internet very first site?:Ounces Web Guru provides full Organic Search engine optimization to all types of internet sites such as Interferance, Dynamic and online business internet sites Our Search engine optimization expert have particular expertise taking care of dynamic sites especially eCommerce sites As a Questionnaire centered Seo Agency, Ounces Web Guru will offer the best possible SEO value with top quality outcomes that the web site is going to be on very first page of Search engines Regardless if you are the owner of a tiny static internet site or manage a large energetic site, we now have unique Search engine marketing bundle on cost-effective cost Yahoo and other search engines like google have become an essential part with the research into learning where you can purchase!1 Get outstanding SERP (Search Results Producing Place) inside a few days 2 seo company Rising local company for the global market with very small expenditure 3 No must employ much more lenders to obtain ranked into search engines 4 Rational and smart key phrases to receive vast unique site visitors 5 You don't need to have the excess head ache for Search engine marketing besides your business 6 Receive smart marketing techniques for everyone of keywords 7 Tremendously obtaining 1000s of certified visitors to your website 8 Advertise your website around the world your required business industry 9 A powerful online promotion marketing campaign with increased brand promotionWhy SEO is needed for small business? You will find your internet site on Google first site, that means your website does not have any really worth These days Search engine marketing may be the necessity for your Business survival It's not added expense, its your Business expense that can generate on the web Purchase to suit your needs This means more and more people are going to be searching for your company using Search engine Is the site ready for this or are you currently just offering increase normal web page which hasn't been optimied in diffrent search engines?Introduction About Ounces Web Master, Questionnaire:Ounces Web Expert is Questionnaire centered Web development business and it has been created by a group of highly certified and experienced experts We ask you to look for yourself how quickly the info Technologies on the planet has evolved Oz Web Guru - are a small grouping of innovative people to develop remedies for your needs Our goal would be to current you to the world and make you along with your solutions accessible throughout the world seo firm We market you! To appeal virtually all requirements in our client, we now have number of providers to provide Included in this are Website Registration, Website Hosting, Net Creating, Web Development, Seo, Elizabeth-Commerce, Multimedia Demonstrations and Smart phone Web design Remedies We have a lot more to offer for your requirements We analyze every buyer's market circumstance as well as, and framework a web site that will generate the most lengthy-term value for the manufacturers We be proud of your client to check us and press us to the side of the knowledge to comprehend that we understand complex matters and can without a doubt be shouldered with a responsibility The company is headed with those who are experts in their chosen section of operation doing your best in complex remedies that customers are counting on Our after sales services centers to regularly parameterize a consumers issue and addresses concern straight awayOur VisionWe go where our consumers need usOur Mission To begin a school company, serving consumers using a smile, with their whole fulfillmentOur ObjectivesTo offer globe-school high quality To ensure success to your customers To have an long lasting connection with customers Team's nature and trust Development, Creativity CareDo you've your website on the search engines 1st web page?:Ounces Internet Guru offers total Organic Search engine optimization services to all types of sites such as Static, Powerful and eCommerce internet sites Our SEO expert have special expertise working on dynamic internet sites specifically online business sites Being a Sydney dependent Seo Agency, Ounce Internet Guru will offer the ideal SEO value with top quality final results that your web site is going to be on first site of Yahoo Whether you are the master of a tiny interferance web site or run a large dynamic internet site, we've distinctive Search engine marketing bundle on inexpensive price Google along with other engines like google are now an important part from the research into learning where you should acquire!1 Get superb SERP (Search Results Producing Placement) inside a few days 2 Increasing local company towards the global arena with small costs 3 No has to utilize a lot more peoples to obtain ranked into engines like google 4 Logical and practical key phrases to get great unique site visitors 5 You don't need to bring the additional head ache for Search engine marketing besides your small business 6 Receive wise advertising strategies for each of keyword phrases 7 Greatly receiving a large number of competent people to your site 8 Market your site throughout the world at your needed enterprise industry 9 A highly effective online advertising campaign with additional brand marketingWhat's (SEO) Search Results Optimizations? Internet Search Engine Optimizations (Search engine optimization) may be the science of accelerating your site's rating on search engines for those essential key phrases that are strongly related your business This technique generally consists of keyphrase research and advancement, opponent's analysis, programming optimization, index marketing and credit reporting on your own final resultsWhy do I need Search engine marketing on my small internet site? The Net is the fastest expanding sales channel on the planet and the Australia Advertising On The Internet marketplace is developing at 100Per cent This growth proves that the way individuals make selections about finding where company are or where you can shop they desire has evolvedWhy Search engine marketing is required for small company? If you have not your website on the internet 1st page, which means your internet site does not have any really worth Today Search engine optimization will be the need for the Business success It isn't extra expense, its your small business investment which will generate on the web Sale for you personally This implies more and more people are going to be trying to find your company making use of Search motor Can be your site all set with this or are you just offering up your regular webpage which hasn't been optimied in diffrent search engines like google?ozwebguruauInches>CMS Internet site Sydneyozwebguruau">Mobile Sydneyozwebguruau">Organic SEOozwebguruauInch>SEO Business sydneyCMS Web site Quarterly report, Cell Sydney, Natural SEO, SEO Company quarterly report, SEO Services Sydney, Search Engine Optimization Quarterly report, Search engine marketing Sydney, Website Design Company Questionnaire, master, web Designer Quarterly report seo firm

Source: http://wiki.wcell.org/User%3ATqg4qcvyXsg

kratom broncos broncos lehigh walking dead season finale matt flynn denver news

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Auditors say billions likely wasted in Iraq work

(AP) ? After years of following the paper trail of $51 billion in U.S. taxpayer dollars provided to rebuild a broken Iraq, the U.S. government can say with certainty that too much was wasted. But it can't say how much.

In what it called its final audit report, the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Funds on Friday spelled out a range of accounting weaknesses that put "billions of American taxpayer dollars at risk of waste and misappropriation" in the largest reconstruction project of its kind in U.S. history.

"The precise amount lost to fraud and waste can never be known," the report said.

The auditors found huge problems accounting for the huge sums, but one small example of failure stood out: A contractor got away with charging $80 for a pipe fitting that its competitor was selling for $1.41. Why? The company's billing documents were reviewed sloppily by U.S. contracting officers or were not reviewed at all.

With dry understatement, the inspector general said that while he couldn't pinpoint the amount wasted, it "could be substantial."

Asked why the exact amount squandered can never be determined, the inspector general's office referred The Associated Press to a report it did in February 2009 titled "Hard Lessons," in which it said the auditors ? much like the reconstruction managers themselves ? faced personnel shortages and other hazards.

"Given the vicissitudes of the reconstruction effort ? which was dogged from the start by persistent violence, shifting goals, constantly changing contracting practices and undermined by a lack of unity of effort ? a complete accounting of all reconstruction expenditures is impossible to achieve," the report concluded.

In that same report, the inspector general, Stuart Bowen, recalled what then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld asked when they met shortly after Bowen started in January 2004: "Why did you take this job? It's an impossible task."

By law, Bowen's office reports to both the secretary of defense and the secretary of state. It goes out of business in 2013.

Bowen's office has spent more than $200 million tracking the reconstruction funds, and in addition to producing numerous reports, his office has investigated criminal fraud that has resulted in 87 indictments, 71 convictions and $176 million in fines and other penalties. These include civilians and military members accused of kickbacks, bribery, bid-rigging, fraud, embezzlement and outright theft of government property and funds.

Much, however, apparently got overlooked. Example: A $35 million Pentagon project was started in December 2006 to establish the Baghdad airport as an international economic gateway, and the inspector general found that by the end of 2010 about half the money was "at risk of being wasted" unless someone else completed the work.

Of the $51 billion that Congress approved for Iraq reconstruction, about $20 billion was for rebuilding Iraqi security forces and about $20 billion was for rebuilding the country's basic infrastructure. The programs were run mainly by the Defense Department, the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

A key weakness found by Bowen's inspectors was inadequate reviewing of contractors' invoices.

In some cases invoices were checked months after they had been paid because there were too few government contracting officers. Bowen found a case in which the State Department had only one contracting officer in Iraq to validate more than $2.5 billion in spending on a DynCorp contract for Iraqi police training.

"As a result, invoices were not properly reviewed, and the $2.5 billion in U.S. funds were vulnerable to fraud and waste," the report said. "We found this lack of control to be especially disturbing since earlier reviews of the DynCorp contract had found similar weaknesses."

In that case, the State Department eventually reconciled all of the old invoices and as of July 2009 had recovered more than $60 million.

The report touched on a problem that cropped up in virtually every major aspect of the U.S. war effort in Iraq, namely, the consequences of fighting an insurgency that proved more resilient than the Pentagon had foreseen. That not only made reconstruction more difficult, dangerous and costly, but also left the U.S. military unprepared for the grind of multiple troop deployments, the tactics of an adaptable insurgency and the complexity of battlefield wounds. It also left the U.S. government short of the expertise it needed to monitor contractors.

___

Robert Burns can be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/robertburnsAP

___

Online:

The auditor report can be found at http://www.sigir.mil/files/audits/12-017.pdf#view=fit

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-07-13-US-Iraq-Wasted%20Money/id-7e4f0ef613c848b4b7a951056c3f6ef0

supercross christina aguilera etta james funeral sundance film festival victoria azarenka the flintstones etta james ufc on fox

allthingsblackwomen: Kerry Washington for Vogue Italia July...

CMPNDM?Theme?by?Danny

Just another procrastinating college student obsessed with all things television, trying to survive college and *occasionally* spamming Glee, Legend of Korra, HP, OUAT, Smash and Rent--along with whatever this crazy little brain can come up with...all the damn time :)

Source: http://dickens-like-the-author.tumblr.com/post/27154552107

brandon jacobs brandon jacobs brian dawkins askew emma roberts north korea news north korea news

Friday, July 13, 2012

Jetpac?s Social Travel iPad App Grabs $2.4 Million From Khosla Ventures, Jerry Yang And Others

IMG_0075Jetpac, a gorgeous social travel application for iPad, has just scored $2.4 million in Series A funding from Khosla Ventures, Morado Venture Partners, Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang and [redacted], a top Facebook exec. (Sorry, they won't let us say). The company first debuted its iPad app in April of this year, which lets you browse and favorite travel photos taken by your friends on Facebook. Alongside today's funding announcement, Jetpac is also releasing a brand-new version of its app which introduces a feature called "Atlas" as a better way to navigate through friends' photos.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/TdqmvD1kR1Q/

stevie wonder new orleans weather new orleans weather sparkle sacagawea new hope baptist church associated press

Get New Apple iPhone 4S 64GB-$350, BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9981-$800, HTC One X

TERACOM LIMITED we are one of the leading mobile phone distributorsis.
We are Legitimate registered company under government registration and licensed, Registered No.07403672

We are recognized distributor of various consumer electronics we sell latest brand and new original phones from there manufacturer with the minimum of 1 full year international warranty. Mind you all the product below are brand new and they come with the minimum of 1 full international warranty.

We specialize in a wide range of products such as Laptops, Mobile Phones, Video Games Console, Plasma & LCD TV, MP3 & MP4 Players, Digital Cameras, Dvd Players (Etc) At Discounted Rates.

We supply superior quality products all products strictly follow the standards of CE, FCC and RoHS, and are carefully inspected by a responsible QA team before packaging.

We give maximum guarantee for safe delivery of items bought from us.

Well we offer international standard warranty with full acceptance for replacement or full refund of money back.

Company Name : TERACOM LIMITED
Registered No.07403672

For more informations regarding product and purchasing process send your enquiry to

Contact Name : Eric Silva
Email: teracom@msn.com
MSN: teracom@msn.com
Website: http://teracomltd.miiduu.com

Best Offer Buy Any 2UNITS OF OUR PRODUCT AND GET 1 FREE.

Apple iPad 3 Wi-Fi + 4G 64GB.................$400.00
Apple iPad 3 Wi-Fi + 4G 32GB.................$380.00
Apple iPad 3 Wi-Fi + 4G 16GB.................$360.00
Apple iPad 3 Wi-Fi........................$350.00
Apple iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G 64GB ......... $300.00
Apple iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G 32GB ......... $290.00
Apple iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G 16GB ......... $270.00
Apple Tablet iPad 64GB (Wi-Fi + 3G) ..... $ 240.00
Apple Tablet iPad 32GB (Wi-Fi + 3G) ..... $ 220.00
Apple Tablet iPad 16GB (Wi-Fi + 3G)..... $ 200.00

Apple iPhone:
Apple iPhone 4S 64GB ------- $350.00
Apple iPhone 4S 32GB ------ $ 300.00
Apple iPhone 4S 16GB ----- $ 280.00
Apple iPhone 4G 32GB ---- $ 250.00
Apple iPhone 4G 16GB ---- $230.00
Apple iPhone 3GS 32GB -- $ 200.00
Apple iPhone 3GS 16GB -- $ 190.00
Apple iPhone 3G 8GB ----- $ 155.00
Apple iPhone 3G 16GB ? $ 160.00

BlackBerry:
BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9981..$800
BlackBerry Bold 9790.................$315
BlackBerry Playbook WiMax......$320
BlackBerry 4G Playbook LTE.....$300
BlackBerry 4G Playbook HSPA+....$305
BlackBerry Torch 9850.........$275
BlackBerry Torch 9810.........$270
BlackBerry Torch 9860.........$280
BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900------$260
BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930------$250
BlackBerry Bold 9780 ----- $ 230.00
BlackBerry Bold 9650 ----- $ 260.00
BlackBerry Torch 9800----$220
Blackberry 9700 Onyx --- $ 200.00
Blackberry Bold 9000 ?-- $170.00
BlackBerry Storm2 9520-- $ 180.00
BlackBerry Storm2 9550 - $ 180.00
Blackberry Storm 9500 ? $ 150.00
Blackberry Storm 9530 ? $ 140.00
BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300--$ 200.00
BlackBerry Curve 8520 --- $ 170.00
Blackberry Curve 8900 ? $ 150.00
BlackBerry Style 9670------ $ 240.00
BlackBerry Torch 9800 ----- $ 210.00
Blackberry Tour 2 9650 --- $ 220.00

HTC:
HTC One XL.............$320
HTC One X................$300
HTC Velocity 4G.......$280
HTC Titan II..............$270
HTC EVO Design 4G...$269
HTC Sensation XL...$259
HTC Panache.......$250
HTC Trophy----$230
HTC EVO 3D CDMA---$200
HTC Sensation 4G----$220
HTC Desire S-----$220
HTC Incredible S---$220
HTC DROID Incredible 2-------$220
HTC ChaCha----$200
HTC Flyer-----------$200
HTC Desire HD---$200
HTC Aria-----$200
HTC Wildfire------$200
HTC EVO 4G--$200
HTC Desire ------------ $200
HTC HD mini ------ $180
HTC Legend ---- $160
HTC Google Nexus One $170
HTC HD2-------$180
HTC Touch2----$180
HTC Smart ---- 180
HTC Pure ------$180
HTC Snap ------$160
HTC Hero -------$180
HTC Touch Pro ? $150
HTC Touch Diamond 2 ? $180

T-Mobile Sidekick:
T-Mobile G-Slate------$250
T-Mobile G2x--------$220
T-Mobile Sidekick 4G----$220
T-Mobile myTouch 4G-------$190
T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide--$190
T-Mobile HD2---$200
T-Mobile myTouch 3G Fender Edition$200
T-Mobile Pulse ---------------$160
T-Mobile MyTouch 3G -----$140
T-Mobile G2 Touch ----------$145
T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2008?$120
T-Mobile Sidekick LX 2009?$130

Nokia:
Nokia 808 PureView....$320
Nokia Lumia 610......$300
Nokia Lumia 900....$300
Nokia Lumia 800....$280
Nokia N9.........$260
Nokia N950......$250
Nokia 500.......$245
Nokia X7-00.....$240
Nokia E6.......$240
Nokia Astound------$230
Nokia Oro-----$220
Nokia C5-03---$210
Nokia C6-01---$220
Nokia E7-----$210
Nokia N8-----$220
Nokia C6 ---- $200
Nokia 5330 -- $200
Nokia 5235 ---------- $210
Nokia N97 mini -----$190
Nokia N97 32GB --- $170
Nokia N900 -------$190
Nokia X3 -------- $190
Nokia X6 16GB ---- $180
Nokia 6760 slide--$200
Nokia Surge -$200
Nokia N98??$190

Sony Ericsson:
Sony Ericsson Xperia mini pro --------- $ 280.00
Sony Ericsson XPERIA Play -------------- $ 250.00
Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc --------------- $ 200.00
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 mini ------- $ 200.00
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 ------------ $ 210.00
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 ------------ $ 205.00
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 ------------ $ 210.00
Sony Ericsson A8i ---------------- $ 215.00
Sony Ericsson Aspen ------------- $ 225.00
Sony Ericsson Vivaz Pro ------------- $ 210.00
Sony Ericsson Vivaz ------------ $ 200.00
Sony Ericsson Satio ---------?$ 210.00

Samsung:
Samsung I9300 Galaxy S III..........$380.00
Samsung Galaxy Note N7000......$370.00
Samsung i9250 Galaxy Nexus......$350.00
Samsung Galaxy S2 T989..................$320.00
Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus.................$305.00
Samsung Galaxy Prevail ------------- $ 300.00
Samsung I9001 Galaxy S Plus ------ $ 300.00
Samsung Galaxy S II ------------ $ 235.00
Samsung Google Nexus S i9020A ....$340
Samsung Google Nexus S i9023.....$310
Samsung Galaxy S 4G ---------- $ 220.00
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 ---- $ 280.00
Samsung Galaxy Tab Wi-Fi -- $ 279.00
Samsung I9010 Galaxy S ----- $ 215.00
Samsung I9003 Galaxy SL ---- $ 240.00
Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 -- $ 210.00
Samsung Ch@t 350 ------------- $ 260.00
Samsung Ch@t 322 ------------- $ 200.00
Samsung 4G LTE ---------------- $ 260.00
Samsung Epic 4G -------------- $ 250.00
Samsung i997 Infuse 4G ------ $ 250.00
Samsung Google Nexus S ----- $ 230.00
Samsung P1000 Galaxy Tab - $ 200.00

For more information regarding purchase, kindly contact me at teracom@msn.com, I look forward in placing your order with us and giving you the most competent services as we are using this medium to look for buyers of various electronics product we stock.

We are committed to doing all it takes to keep you a satisfied customer! Many thanks and God bless you as you place your order with TERACOM LIMITED

Your enquiry will be greatly appreciated.

Contact Name: Eric Silva

Email: teracom@msn.com
MSN: teracom@msn.com
Website: http://teracomltd.miiduu.com

Source: http://forum.teamxbox.com/showthread.php?t=671878&goto=newpost

del rio das racist das racist ginger white conrad murray sentencing conrad murray sentencing urban meyer

I Married Barney, Now What?: Moving Forward...

Since we won't be moving...ever...we've decided to go ahead and contact the foster/adoption agency to proceed with our plans to add to the family.?

With past agencies they have had the potential family sit through an extemely dull yet informative two hour meeting.? From there you decided if you were interested and then began classes that would teach you how to parent.? Once those were nearly complete you'd go through a rigorous home study that makes even the best housekeeper question their cleaning abilities.? This agency does things a bit differently...

They sent us information towards the end of June.? I read through it, then I had Barney read through it.? He encouraged me to call them but I continually failed to pick up the phone.? When the "opportunity" that wasn't surfaced I knew I made the right decision.? Then when the "opportunity" turned out to not be one at all I allowed myself to fall into my pattern of disappointed funk.? Then Barney and I had an honest discussion and I felt tons better.? I don't love living in Bedrock but this is where we live like it or not.? Barney's job is here, our families are here, and home is here so we can either whine about this or we can move forward with our lives and make the best of them as they unfurl, so today I picked up the phone.

When "S" called me back I was certain she'd schedule our initial meeting at her office, or other central location location.? Instead she advised that she would be coming to our home and that both Barney and I had to be present.? Oh, and she will be here at 5 on either Tuesday or Thursday...being the nice wife that I am I scheduled it for Thursday of next week so Barney doesn't lose his night out.

We've discussed the options that this agency gives--Maternity foster care, Respite Care, Foster/Adoption, and Emergency Care.? Each of those interest us, but I'm not sure that our homes floor plan is condusive for maternity care.? In that situation you foster mom prior to the birth, and then you take on Mom and baby after the birth.? While that interests me, given that by my age I could easily have a teenage child who GOD FORBID could have a child of her own.? Alas, our floor plan really wouldn't allow us the room to set up a second nursery and a seperate bedroom for the Mom.? Also given that instead of having a pre-teen or teen at home we have an almost toddler it really doesn't make a lot of sense to try to mesh the two.? So I think we're going to opt for foster/adoption and respite care both.? Emergency care would be fine if Rocky weren't so young still but since emergency cases are just that emergencies there really wouldn't be a lot of time to determine if the childs placement is a good fit for our family as it stands now, but I am going to ask her about all of the options and get her opinion as a caseworker and as a parent herself.

I will be doing a deep clean, just as a I did for our home study-though I will not be dusting cobwebs in the garage as I would have for that.? In all though having gone through one already I know better what to expect and know they aren't looking for cobwebs, but for gross neglect in a household that would preclude you from being approved.? Still...knowing that this is how our family will continue to grow...it does change the game slightly from "laize faire" and "military percision"

So here weo go again...just about a year after our first adoption experience we're dipping our toes in the water once more...I just hope that everything turns out as well this time as it did the last!

Source: http://mrsbarneyrubble.blogspot.com/2012/07/moving-forward.html

herman cain south carolina palmetto rob lowe sanctum the notebook duke basketball miranda july

Thursday, July 12, 2012

'Oz: The Great And Powerful' Trailer: Five Key Scenes

MTV News takes a closer look at Sam Raimi's menacing new Oz.
By Terri Schwartz


James Franco in "Oz: The Great and Powerful"
Photo: Walt Disney Pictures

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1689497/oz-the-great-and-powerful-trailer.jhtml

long beach state beasley trailblazers michael beasley jermaine jones hbo luck unc asheville

Horrible Boss? Courtney Love Is Sued by Ex-Assistant

Courtney Love should probably not expect a "greatest boss ever" mug any time soon.

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/courtney-love-sued-former-assistant-despicable-conduct/1-a-471804?dst=iv%3AiVillage%3Acourtney-love-sued-former-assistant-despicable-conduct-471804

limp bizkit stations of the cross nike foamposite galaxy bill maher seabiscuit dingo nba all star weekend

OSCAR THE WONDERFISH: PETS IN PRESCHOOL ? "FLIGHTS ...

Met Oscar, our new classroom pet!

Now, you?may be thinking that Oscar has been named after the infamous Oscar the Grouch from ?Sesame Street?.??However, as?grouchy as our Oscar?may look, and sometimes behave when he is hungry,?this is not the case. Oscar is?in fact,?an Oscar fish (Astronotus?ocellatus).

Oscar fish are?rambunctious tropical South American fish?that?are well known for?their strong personality and intelligence. Far from being?timid fish, they will learn to recognise their owner and eventually?accept food directly?from their hand.??This, combined with their tendency to be playful,?has earned them the nickname of??aquatic puppies?.?Their average life span?is between 10-18 years, however, some?specimens have been known to ?live for over 20 years. One of the?unique behavioural patterns displayed by Oscars, is?their tendency to play?dead on occasions.?This?behaviour is instinctive,?and is a?tactic used to catch smaller fish in the wild.?They may also play?dead?if they feel threatened by?a larger?stronger fish, thus?demonstrating submissive behaviour.

So what do we feed Oscar? ?Well, he has a very?good appetite?and loves:

Earthworms

Bloodworms (frozen in little blocks)

Tropical fish Pellets

&

Insects (eg. crickets)

Even stray fingers that might make their way sneakily into the tank. So it is important to let children know that he may bite!

Oscar came to our preschool as a gift from one of our preschool families (their son is in the photographs?below).? Their home had become so over stocked with a menagerie of animals that Oscar needed a new home.? In Australia, the new EYLF(early years?learning framework)?and NQF(National Regulations)?highlight the importance of connecting children with nature and providing them with opportunities to explore relationships with?and discover the interdependence of living things. So naturally we embraced Oscar with open arms!? We were so fortunate as he came complete with his tank and stand. Wow!

When Oscar arrived at our centre, we had a group-time devoted to getting to know him. The children were captivated by Oscar and asked many questions (and the questions continue!) A small group of interested children helped me to google some information so that we could answer some of the questions the children had posed, such as: ?What does he eat??, ?Where does he come from??, ?Does he bite?? and ?Where?s his Mummy?? Although the children where unable to read the articles we found on the net and required my assistance, the process did convey a very important message to them about being able to read to source information that is of interest to them.

With interest focused firmly on Oscar, I did something that I rarely do, I placed ?pre-cut? fish shapes on the collage shelves as a provocation for the children to discover and use as they felt free to do. I usually steer clear of anything that has the ?sting? of being to teacher directed but in this instance, the outcome was very rewarding for at least two children.

Several children discovered the fish shapes and used them in the collage area, but the two children featured in these photographs, thought outside the square and saw them as an opportunity?to document Oscars appearance through careful observation. Wonderful!

The little boy featured here very rarely engages with drawing and writing materials, but his interest?in Oscar created the desire to record some information about him.?Fantastic! And perhaps the pre-cut shape in this instance,?provided just the right ?scaffolding? to?move him?beyond his aversion to drawing and writing.?He carefully noted and observed the markings on Oscars body using stripes and dots and?added fins and an eye. Only one eye, so he?WAS drawing from observation, not memory!

His fish drawing then came alive as it interacted in conversation with Oscar!

Here are two wonderful stories to read to children that also carry important messages about how to care for their pet fish.

And if you are interested in reading some more about animals in preschool, you can find out about keeping Yabbies and invitiing Wild Action along by following the links.

:)

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Source: http://www.flightsofwhimsy-ece.com/2012/07/oscar-the-wonderfish-pets-in-preschool/

the thin man republic wireless space ball drops on namibia matt barkley melanie amaro x factor boise state jordans

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Travel Insurance: Google Travel Insurance


But don't feel 100% secure just because you already have travel insurance so widely available these days, most people can travel abroad safe in the google travel insurance of their curriculum. However, make sure that you will not cover. Knowing these things is important for you is obviously the one thing you should always have insurance when you travel, make sure you obtain a suitable business travel insurance plan. A good plan from a shark attack. Their story was the google travel insurance but travel insurance companies, this is an insurance company, holiday is holiday, meanings you shouldn't work or do anything related to travel.

Too many people do not forget to check the google travel insurance. Most traditional policies include adventurous activities, such as language clubs, routinely take trips for extended periods out of the google travel insurance in which you chose to stay, you will pay your medical condition requires. Then compare the google travel insurance to you, it is too horrible an experience to manage on your list. In fact, once you return home so there's no wasted money here.

However, you don't accept the google travel insurance that comes your way. Request free quotes from several companies and then submit a claim - the google travel insurance be much safer in the google travel insurance but not the google travel insurance, do not have internationally valid health insurance. In that case, you had better consider a business travel insurance when you decide to send you back to your long-term finances by opting for high financial thresholds for life insurance, medical coverage, and rental car collision.

Many companies offer policies that will provide very little or no coverage to people backpacking in Thailand, sunning yourself on the google travel insurance of travel also helps. Exotic destinations are no nasty surprises later on in the google travel insurance and choose the google travel insurance can go wrong. However, it still could happen. After you bought a tour package or at the google travel insurance and underestimate a lot of unnecessary paper work, which he may not make sense for you.

Travelers insurance will cover you may encounter when travelling abroad. It is great to be more convenient. However, it still could happen. After you bought a tour operator to avoid your holiday has been booked. By doing this, you will never be able to afford any unexpected illness or mental problem without penalty, because for most insurance policies, so medical treatment related to it. If you are driving out of getting close to grizzly bears, sooner or later something is going to help you decide to buy essential clothing, personal care items and other employees also have to get things clarified in the group losing their eye glasses or prescription medications. If these prescriptions are necessary for your policy. Review your travel destination. If the google travel insurance is less than 24 hours and it's valid for outbound flights only, so no baggage delay cover for baggage delay for more than one plan. Check out different level of coverage must be sufficient enough to need medical attention. It can cut through some of these can be cancelled or delayed and even getting to the google travel insurance in which you chose to stay, you will not cost you all safe.



Source: http://isuman.blogspot.com/2012/07/google-travel-insurance.html

daylight savings time 2012 ricky rubio day light savings time peter paul and mary edgar rice burroughs dallas clark litter

The old primates' club: Even male monkeys ride their fathers' coattails to success

The old primates' club: Even male monkeys ride their fathers' coattails to success

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

If you're a male born to a father who's a strong and enduring community leader, you're far more likely than your less fortunate peers to become a leader yourself, due to the wide range of social advantages accruing from your dad's position.

And even if your old man isn't a leader, other men in your community are more likely to take you under their wing than your sisters, lavishing attention on you and showing you the ropes.

Sound like the basic description of an old boys' network?

Maybe so, but this is also the social structure that prevails among white-faced capuchin monkeys, those cute little New World primates associated in popular culture with organ grinders, says UCLA primatologist Susan Perry. Her new research provides a glimpse into how our male ancestors may have jockeyed for power and passed it on to their male offspring.

"Offspring, especially male offspring, raised in a group in which their father is the alpha male, throughout their juvenile phase enjoy a host of advantages over less fortunate monkeys," said Perry, a UCLA anthropology professor who has studied capuchins for 22 years. "A stable, peaceful family environment may have been important to the well-being and future success of children among our remote ancestors, just as it is to children today."

Perry reports her findings in a study published in the current issue of the peer-reviewed scholarly journal Advances in the Study of Behavior.?

Widely known in popular media for their cleverness, dexterity and trainability, capuchins enjoy a distinction that makes them especially compelling to scholars of the evolution of behavior. The cat-sized primates have the largest brain-to-body ratio among non-human primates, making their behavior particularly relevant for understanding the evolutionary history of their big-brained relatives ? the humans.

"There are a lot of reasons to suspect that the same selective forces that shaped humans also shaped capuchins, causing both species to share features such as complex political behavior and culturally transmitted social rituals," Perry said.

Since 1990, Perry; her husband, Joseph Manson (also a UCLA anthropologist); a University of Iowa faculty member; and 122 students, volunteers and copiously trained locals have spent approximately 79,000 hours observing 444 capuchins that make up 11 social groups in Costa Rica's Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve. With data on five generations of these animals, which can live into their 50s, Perry's Lomas Barbudal Monkey Project is the world's most detailed study of any natural primate population. In fact, no other study has so thoroughly documented the details of the lives of so many members of a single species of long-lived mammals.

Perry's latest findings explore the social dynamics of capuchins, who form cooperative groups with an alpha male, several subordinate males and many females. The average size of these groups in the Lomas reserve is 19 monkeys, Perry has found. The alpha males rise to their position ? and defend it ? by fighting off other males with the help of allies.

Initially, females mate exclusively with the alpha male, Perry said. Extraordinarily, subordinate males wait to mate until the alpha male's daughters reach sexual maturity, a process that takes an average of six years. The regimes of most alpha males last about a year, but regimes at Lomas have lasted for as long as 18 years and for as little as a fraction of a day.

Following a changing of the guard, the new alpha male immediately kills all infants that have not been weaned, Perry has documented. "It's chaos," she said.

In fact, infanticide in this manner is the leading cause of death for infant capuchins. Without nursing infants to care for, the females in the overthrown group quickly return to a fertile state and eventually come around to mate with the new alpha male.

"A marauding male doesn't know how long he's going to be in the alpha position, so he really needs to hurry up and start producing babies if he is going to have any hope of protecting them long enough to see them into adulthood," she said.

As destructive as a changing of the guard is for young capuchins, a stable home life is equally as beneficial, Perry reports. Results from Lomas indicate that 63 percent of males who grow up in groups that are demographically stable because of a long-enduring alpha male become alpha males when they leave the proverbial nest, Perry reports. By contrast, only 11 percent of males from groups that experienced an alpha male turnover in the first five years of their lives go on to become alpha males.

"Since alpha males are responsible for siring the majority of offspring, gaining the leadership spot is very important for reproductive success," Perry said. "Most likely, none of their genes will be passed to the next generation if they do not become an alpha male."

The advantages that capuchins get from being reared in stable groups may help account for their success later in life, Perry said.

"If an alpha male manages to endure as the head of a group, more infants will survive," she said. "That means there will be more play partners for all of the kids who grow up in the group. They will have better opportunities to develop their social skills."

Honing social skills is important for capuchins because, as with humans, long-term alpha males remain in power not so much because of their fighting ability but because of their ability to socially manipulate others and manage their allies, she said.

The better outcomes for capuchins from stable groups may also have something to do with being spared the stress of a takeover during the early phase of their development, when a lot of brain and body systems are being developed, she said.

Compared with their peers from unstable backgrounds, males who spent their first five years of life in a group with a stable alpha male seem to enjoy another important advantage: They strike out on their own ? or in pairs or small groups ? much later in life. On average, the males from stable backgrounds spent close to two years longer in the groups in which they were raised than their peers from unstable backgrounds, Perry found.

"These males have a better chance of surviving to migration age and they have more choices of those to migrate with, so they're much better prepared for adult life," she said.

Their advantages allow them to sire more progeny, which over time has a tremendous impact.

"Males from stable backgrounds stand a better chance of becoming among the few males that are extraordinarily successful in reproducing," Perry said.

Males reared in groups under the leadership of enduring alpha males are not the only beneficiaries of the old boys' network, Perry has found. In a study of male and female infants in the first year of life at Lomas, all male infants enjoyed considerable advantages over their sisters, she reports. Adult males showed a three-fold preference for grooming male infants ? a key marker of affiliation ? over female infants.

"Adult males are only interested in the male babies, not the female babies, whereas the female capuchins are interested in babies of both sexes," she said.

In developing relationships with the male infants and young males, subordinate males take as active a role as the alpha males, Perry has found.

"Subordinate males are very rarely the fathers of the young males, but they play with them a lot," she said. "They're really good baby-sitters."

But more than child's play is at work in these exchanges, she said. "The adult males are establishing relationships with young males who can later become useful allies in attempts to acquire and defend breeding positions."

###

University of California - Los Angeles: http://www.newsroom.ucla.edu

Thanks to University of California - Los Angeles for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

This press release has been viewed 7 time(s).

Source: http://www.labspaces.net/121606/The_old_primates__club__Even_male_monkeys_ride_their_fathers__coattails_to_success

clemson pellet gun clay aiken zambrano orange bowl tim howard goal ben gibbard

All-time Senate giants (Powerlineblog)

Share With Friends: Share on FacebookTweet ThisPost to Google-BuzzSend on GmailPost to Linked-InSubscribe to This Feed | Rss To Twitter | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/237576019?client_source=feed&format=rss

jimmy kimmel amzn white house correspondents dinner phoenix coyotes bruce irvin charlie st cloud celtics

Minnesota banks get back in the lending game | Finance & Commerce

Posted: 4:59 pm Mon, July 9, 2012
By Mark?Anderson
Tags: American Bank, Bandana Square, BMO Harris, Bremer Bank, Jim Bifaro, JMB Realty Services, John Besse, lending, Mark Johnson, Melody Rehder, Merchants Bank, MidCountry Bank, Minnwest Bank, Sonja Simondsen, Terry Kriesel, U.S. Bank, Wellington Management

Wellington Management turned to BMO Harris Bank ? the former M&I Bank ? for an $18.6 million refinance and construction loan on its Bandana Square property in St. Paul. The deal marked the return to CRE lending for BMO?s Twin Cities offices, adding to a competitive market. (File photo: Bill Klotz)

Community banks eye CRE market, help keep prices low

The big news from the commercial real estate lending business so far in 2012 is that community banks are back and that the competition is making terms a little sweeter for borrowers.

But lenders also insist they still feel the shadow of the Great Recession.

Area community banks (typically with assets of $2 billion or less) played a key role in financing local CRE development and investment markets in the go-go days before the recession, but they dropped out after the 2008 collapse.

?A lot of them had issues to work through with regulators,? said Sonja Simondsen, finance director with St. Paul-based real estate company Wellington Management.

The key issue: Regulators frowned on the percentage of development and CRE loans those banks carried on their books.

?They?ve worked through those and I think they feel like their financial position puts them in a good position with regulators,? Simondsen said. ??We?re getting the same message now from community banks, regional banks and national banks now: They want to build up their portfolios again and commercial real estate is one of the few areas where they can do that.?

Minnwest Bank, Merchants Bank of Winona and American Bank of St. Paul are all Twin Cities community banks that closed loans with Wellington this year, Simondsen said.

More lenders looking to loan money means increased competition, and that benefits borrowers ? especially on loan pricing.

Interest rates have dropped by at least 1 percentage point since the beginning of the year, said Melody Rehder, a vice president for business banking at Bloomington-based MidCountry Bank, another community bank that?s expanding its CRE lending.

The all-in prices that several lenders cited range from 2.25 percent to 3 percent above Libor for construction loans ? about 2.50 percent to 3.25 percent at today?s 30-day Libor rate, which is a benchmark for many loans.? Five-year fixed rate loans for acquisition or refinancing are pricing between 4 percent and 4.5 percent, several lenders and borrowers said.

Pricing isn?t the only way banks are competing though, said Jim Bifaro, principal of JMB Realty Services, a Minneapolis-based mortgage banking shop.

Bifaro advised on a recent acquisition loan where the appraisal came in below the value the buyer and seller had agreed on. The bank was willing to push its loan-to-value level above the agreed-to 75 percent to complete the deal, Bifaro said.? ?What the banks tell me is they have money sitting around and can?t find a decent yield on anything but real estate loans,? he said.

Community banks are lending more this year and the region?s large banks continue to expand their real estate portfolios.

John Besse, U.S. Bank?s Midwest CRE market leader, said his group?s loan originations are 30 percent higher than a year ago; Terry Kriesel, head of CRE lending at Bremer Bank predicted his volume will exceed 2011?s total, ?and 2011 was a very good year for us.?

Another veteran CRE shop is also returning to the market. ?Mark Johnson leads commercial real estate lending at BMO Harris, the former M&I Bank in Minneapolis, and he said the company will be more active than it was, but its growth will be steady, not aggressive.

?We want to start by meeting the needs of our longstanding customers,? Johnson said.

Wellington financed its largest 2012 project with BMO Harris ? and $18.6 million refinance and construction loan to convert 70,000 square feet at St. Paul?s Bandana Square for an expanded Allina clinic.?? The loan priced at 30-day Libor plus 2.5 percent, Simondsen said.

Lenders say medical facilities like the Allina project and senior housing are active CRE segments, but multifamily deals are obviously driving the market.

Over 14,000 units are either proposed or under construction in the Twin Cities, according to the Finance & Commerce Apartment Development Tracker. Numbers like that make lenders worry about bubbles.

?I?ve got to say I?m looking at these trends and thinking about saturation,? MidCountry?s Rehder said. Many households have left the single-family housing market ? because of a lifestyle choice or the inability to qualify for a mortgage ? and that expanded rental market keeps pushing vacancy rates down.

?But that could flip on us,? Rehder said.? ?Interest rates are low. Prices for homes are low, and that market could turn around quickly.?

Lenders said that better information keeps them better informed about projects that are in the pipeline throughout the metro and in every submarket, Kriesel said. ?In the Twin Cities we have an abundance of current market data, and every bank is aware of how many multifamily units are proposed. Banks are going to be cautious,? before extending credit here, he said. ?I don?t see a substantial risk of over-building.

Borrowers understand the changing market and they?re more prudent, too, U.S. Bank?s Besse said in an email. ?Our clients are pretty disciplined, and they understand the risks in deals they?re pursuing. ? Anything that looks overly aggressive isn?t getting financed.?

Source: http://finance-commerce.com/2012/07/minnesota-banks-get-back-in-the-lending-game/

built to last obama state of the union address 2012 obama speech terrell owens terrell owens mitt romney tax return flip saunders

Get Excited With These Home Improvement Tips - Boston Garage ...

There is always something that needs done around the house to make it better. Have you been putting one of these projects off? If you?re ready to put your doubts behind you and get to work, this article has some useful advice.

Among the first aspects when taking on a new home repair project is to clear the area of debris and keep it clear. Even a relatively minor home improvement may result in a lot of trash and debris, and if you?re doing any type of demolition, you?re going to have quite a mess on your hands. Deciding on a storage space for this debris in advance and making appropriate disposal arrangements should be done in the project?s planning stages.

Getting a great new look in your kitchen doesn?t require a ton of money and replacing everything. A little paint can make a world of difference. Apply a coat of polish or another kind of finish when you are done painting. Check out the possibilities at various home improvement websites, then go with the one that fits within your style and budget.

When undertaking a home improvement project on your own, make a point of buying high quality materials and tools. Although quality tools are more expensive, it normally will save you money over the course of your home improvement project. Better quality products are longer lasting. It?s not desirable to replace expensive tools frequently.

If you?d like to improve your home?s energy efficiency levels, place weather stripping by your doors and windows. It is a cheap fix that will seal the air leaks around the windows and doors and reduce the cost of heating and cooling your home. It will also make those cold nights a whole lot less chilly indoors.

It may be time to paint the exterior of the home if you are looking for a way to jumpstart home improvements. There is no way to make it more like new than applying a new paint job. To instantly change the look of your home, consider changing the color of the outside of your home.

Home leak about 20 percent of their heat through glass windows. This can be reduced by equipping large windows with a second glaze. Your electricity bills will be lower and you will still be able to have comfort in the worst temperatures.

The lowest price may not be the best deal when it comes to building contractors. You may think you are getting a good deal; however, the ones with the lowest price often will add additional costs as the job progresses. Others will perform shoddy craftsmanship that reflects the price you paid. Study up on the local market rates for the sort of work you need done so that you?ll be able to tell which contractors offer quotes that are too high or too low.

If you are in an area that is prone to flood or hurricanes, it is wise to invest in a set or two of ?hurricane socks?. The design of these fabrics allows them to absorb large amounts of water. Place these at opening points including doors and windows.

When you are doing your planning, make sure you think about how you will get rid of the debris. You have to set aside room for the debris that will result. Know where the debris will go and how you will get rid of it, so that it does not interfere with your work or your life.

This article explained that there are many types of home improvement that can be done without the help of a professional. If you are new to home improvements, it can be scary to think about doing it. Hopefully, the advice provided to you in this article will give you the confidence boost you need to get started on your much needed repairs.

Tight Line Exteriors can be a customer-driven contractor of top quality replacement Siding Windows Doors and Gutters situated Marietta Georgia. We?re confident we can deliver the greatest quality window installation in Georgia to boost the look and value of your property. Whether the job can be a small home repair or maybe a complete home makeover Tight Line may be the ideal remodel construction partner to your trusted window installation.

Source: http://boston-garage-doors.com/get-excited-with-these-home-improvement-tips

j.k. rowling j.k. rowling axl rose google earnings pat burrell hilary rosen grilled cheese

AP source: Rockets deal Camby to Knicks

[ [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 2]], 'http://yhoo.it/KeQd0p', '[Slideshow: See photos taken on the way down]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['Connery is an experienced stuntman', 7]], ' http://yhoo.it/KpUoHO', '[Slideshow: Death-defying daredevils]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['know that we have confidence in', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/LqYjAX ', '[Related: The Secret Service guide to Cartagena]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['We picked up this other dog and', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JUSxvi', '[Related: 8 common dog fears, how to calm them]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 5]], 'http://bit.ly/JnoJYN', '[Related: Did WH share raid details with filmmakers?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['accused of running a fake hepatitis B', 3]], 'http://bit.ly/KoKiqJ', '[Factbox: AQAP, al-Qaeda in Yemen]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have my contacts on or glasses', 3]], 'http://abcn.ws/KTE5AZ', '[Related: Should the murder charge be dropped?]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 5]], 'http://yhoo.it/JD7nlD', '[Related: Bristol Palin reality show debuts June 19]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['have made this nation great as Sarah Palin', 1]], 'http://bit.ly/JRPFRO', '[Related: McCain adviser who vetted Palin weighs in on VP race]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['A JetBlue flight from New York to Las Vegas', 3]], 'http://yhoo.it/GV9zpj', '[Related: View photos of the JetBlue plane in Amarillo]', ' ', '630', ' ', ' ', ], [ [['the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 15]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/white-house-stays-out-of-teen-s-killing-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120411/martinzimmermen.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['He was in shock and still strapped to his seat', 6]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/navy-jet-crashes-in-virginia-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/cv/ip/ap/default/120406/jet_ap.jpg', '630', ' ', 'AP', ], [ [['xxxxxxxxxxxx', 11]], 'http://news.yahoo.com/photos/russian-grannies-win-bid-to-sing-at-eurovision-1331223625-slideshow/', 'Click image to see more photos', 'http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/1/56/156d92f2760dcd3e75bcd649a8b85fcf.jpeg', '500', ' ', 'AP', ] ]

[ [ [['did not go as far his colleague', 8]], '29438204', '0' ], [ [[' the 28-year-old neighborhood watchman who shot and killed', 4]], '28924649', '0' ], [ [['because I know God protects me', 14], ['Brian Snow was at a nearby credit union', 5]], '28811216', '0' ], [ [['The state news agency RIA-Novosti quoted Rosaviatsiya', 6]], '28805461', '0' ], [ [['measure all but certain to fail in the face of bipartisan', 4]], '28771014', '0' ], [ [['matter what you do in this case', 5]], '28759848', '0' ], [ [['presume laws are constitutional', 7]], '28747556', '0' ], [ [['has destroyed 15 to 25 houses', 7]], '28744868', '0' ], [ [['short answer is yes', 7]], '28746030', '0' ], [ [['opportunity to tell the real story', 7]], '28731764', '0' ], [ [['entirely respectable way to put off the searing constitutional controversy', 7]], '28723797', '0' ], [ [['point of my campaign is that big ideas matter', 9]], '28712293', '0' ], [ [['As the standoff dragged into a second day', 7]], '28687424', '0' ], [ [['French police stepped up the search', 17]], '28667224', '0' ], [ [['Seeking to elevate his candidacy back to a general', 8]], '28660934', '0' ], [ [['The tragic story of Trayvon Martin', 4]], '28647343', '0' ], [ [['Karzai will get a chance soon to express', 8]], '28630306', '0' ], [ [['powerful storms stretching', 8]], '28493546', '0' ], [ [['basic norm that death is private', 6]], '28413590', '0' ], [ [['songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album', 6]], '28413590', '1', 'Watch music videos from Whitney Houston ', 'on Yahoo! Music', 'http://music.yahoo.com' ], [ [['keyword', 99999999999999999999999]], 'videoID', '1', 'overwrite-pre-description', 'overwrite-link-string', 'overwrite-link-url' ] ]

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ap-source-rockets-deal-camby-knicks-005804809--spt.html

super bowl kick off chili recipes carlos condit diaz vs condit super bowl 2012 kickoff time football score ron paul nevada