Allegiant Airlines is a very popular low-cost domestic
airline in the US. Allegiant air has a fleet size of 46 and moves
to 71 destinations within the country.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Delta Airlines
Delta Air lines is based in Atlanta, Georgia. One of the most
important American airlines, Delta air lines is also the second
largest airline of the world in terms of passenger carried, third
largest in terms of revenue passenger and sixth in terms of
operating revenues.
important American airlines, Delta air lines is also the second
largest airline of the world in terms of passenger carried, third
largest in terms of revenue passenger and sixth in terms of
operating revenues.
Volaris Airlines
Volaris Airlines is one of the main airlines in the country
of Mexico. In the aviation industry, Volaris has earned popularity
as a budget airline. Its fleet size of 17 helps the travelers to
move to 21 destinations.
of Mexico. In the aviation industry, Volaris has earned popularity
as a budget airline. Its fleet size of 17 helps the travelers to
move to 21 destinations.
Airline tickets
At present, airline tickets can be booked through the travel
agencies, airline counters and through the Internet. Flight
passengers can avail of the on line air ticket. Discounted air
tickets are offered by most of the flight operators.
agencies, airline counters and through the Internet. Flight
passengers can avail of the on line air ticket. Discounted air
tickets are offered by most of the flight operators.
Book Flights
Book Flights online has made flight booking quite easy
nowadays. The flyers can also book flights directly from online
booking engine along with hotel and custom trip booking all at the
same place. Book Flights now and save yourself the hassle of travel
agents or standing in long queues.
nowadays. The flyers can also book flights directly from online
booking engine along with hotel and custom trip booking all at the
same place. Book Flights now and save yourself the hassle of travel
agents or standing in long queues.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Mortgage Rates Mixed Week: 30 Year Mortgage Rate at 4.05%
Mortgage rates are mixed this week, fixed conforming mortgage
rates are higher while fixedjumbo mortgage interest rates are
lower. Current mortgagerateson 30 year home loans are
averaging 4.05%,up from lastweeks average 30 year
mortgage rate of 3.91%. Todays Mortgage rates on 15 year mortgage
loans areaveraging 3.31%,up from last weeks average 15
year rate of
rates are higher while fixedjumbo mortgage interest rates are
lower. Current mortgagerateson 30 year home loans are
averaging 4.05%,up from lastweeks average 30 year
mortgage rate of 3.91%. Todays Mortgage rates on 15 year mortgage
loans areaveraging 3.31%,up from last weeks average 15
year rate of
Mortgage Rates Hit Record Low This Week: 30 Year Mortgage Rates at 3.89%
Mortgage rates are lower again this week as 30 year mortgage
rates hit an all-time record low on Monitor Bank Ratesweekly
average mortgageratessurvey.Mortgage rates today
on 30 year home loans are averaging 3.89%, down from last weeks
average 30 year mortgage rate of 4.05%. We started 2012 with a
record low rate on 30 year
rates hit an all-time record low on Monitor Bank Ratesweekly
average mortgageratessurvey.Mortgage rates today
on 30 year home loans are averaging 3.89%, down from last weeks
average 30 year mortgage rate of 4.05%. We started 2012 with a
record low rate on 30 year
Mortgage Rates Hit All Time Record Low: 30 Year Mortgage Rates at 3.91%
Mortgage rates have hit yet another record low in the most
recent mortgage survey released this morning. In Freddie Macs
Primary Mortgage Market Survey 30 year mortgage rates hit an all
time record low of 3.91% for the week ending December 22, 2011.
Average 30 year mortgage rates dropped from last weeks average of
3.94%.Current
recent mortgage survey released this morning. In Freddie Macs
Primary Mortgage Market Survey 30 year mortgage rates hit an all
time record low of 3.91% for the week ending December 22, 2011.
Average 30 year mortgage rates dropped from last weeks average of
3.94%.Current
Mortgage Rates This Week: 30 Year Mortgage Rates at 3.91%
Mortgage rates aremixedthis week as fixed
conforming 30 year mortgage rates stayed under 4.00% for the third
consecutive week. Current mortgage rateson 30 year home loans
are averaging 3.91%, a slight decreasefrom last weeks average
30 year mortgage rate of 3.92%. Mortgage rates on 15 year mortgage
loans areaveraging 3.24%,down from last weeks average
15
conforming 30 year mortgage rates stayed under 4.00% for the third
consecutive week. Current mortgage rateson 30 year home loans
are averaging 3.91%, a slight decreasefrom last weeks average
30 year mortgage rate of 3.92%. Mortgage rates on 15 year mortgage
loans areaveraging 3.24%,down from last weeks average
15
Mortgage Rates Today: Current Mortgage Rates on 30 Year Home Loans at 3.97%
Mortgage rates today on 30 year home mortgage loans increased
to3.97%, upfrom yesterdays average 30 year mortgage
rate of 3.89%. 30 year mortgage rates bounced off of yesterdays
all-time low but rates probably wont go much higher this week since
10 year bond yields are trading in a tight range.Mortgage
rates today on 15 year
to3.97%, upfrom yesterdays average 30 year mortgage
rate of 3.89%. 30 year mortgage rates bounced off of yesterdays
all-time low but rates probably wont go much higher this week since
10 year bond yields are trading in a tight range.Mortgage
rates today on 15 year
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Unlimited Free Upgrades on United? Really?
Erica wonders whether United's promise of unlimited upgrades
is heaven or hype. Tim Winship puts the new policy into
perspective.
is heaven or hype. Tim Winship puts the new policy into
perspective.
Airline or Hotel Programs ... Which Are Better?
A reader wonders whether he was right to ignore hotel
programs in favor of airline schemes for 25 years. Tim Winship
suggests he may have missed out on some worthwhile perks.
programs in favor of airline schemes for 25 years. Tim Winship
suggests he may have missed out on some worthwhile perks.
Can I Move Frequent Flyer Miles Among Programs?
For consumers, the ability to exchange miles and points
between their various airline and hotel loyalty accounts is an
obvious plus. Airlines and hotels see the matter very
differently.
between their various airline and hotel loyalty accounts is an
obvious plus. Airlines and hotels see the matter very
differently.
Fidelity New Markets Income Fund Portfolio Manager Named 2011 Morningstar U.S. Fixed-Income Fund Manager of the Year
Fidelity Investments today announced that Morningstar, Inc.
has named John Carlson, portfolio manager of Fidelity New Markets
Income Fund (FNMIX), its 2011 Fixed-Income Fund Manager of the Year
in the Unites States. Fidelity is one of the industrys leading
global fixed income investment managers with assets under
management in excess of $835 billion1. According to Morningstar,
its annual Fund Manager of the Year award recognizes portfolio
managers who demonstrate excellent investment skill and the courage
to differ from the consensus to benefit investors. To qualify for
the award, managers funds must not only have posted impressive
returns for the year, but they also must have a record of
delivering outstanding long-term risk-adjusted performance and of
aligning their interests with shareholders. The Fund Manager of the
Year award winners are chosen based on Morningstars proprietary
research and in-depth qualitative evaluation by its fund analysts.
In recognizing Carlson, Morningstars Eric Jacobson stated, Carlson
has been skippering this portfolio since 1995, making him among the
categorys most senior and experienced leaders, with several
emerging-markets crises under his belt. Hes also been among the
most successful. Carlson has been emphatic about sticking with his
discipline over the years, and it paid off in 2011 when contrary to
most peer investors, he cut the funds non-dollar and corporate
exposures and increased exposure to long-dated dollar-denominated
debt. On behalf of Fidelity and the funds shareholders, I am truly
honored to receive this recognition from Morningstar, said Carlson.
This award is a result of a lot of hard work by each and every one
of our bond and high income investment professionals around the
globe. In addition to Fidelity New Markets Income Fund, Carlson
manages Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Income Fund, Fidelity
Global High Income Fund (retail and Advisor Classes) and Fidelity
Total Emerging Markets Fund (retail and Advisor Classes).
Morningstars criteria -- excellent investment skill and courage --
are the hallmarks of Johns 16 years at Fidelity, during which time
he has delivered consistently solid results on behalf of our
clients and shareholders, said Ronald P. OHanley, president of
Fidelity Asset Management. Not only does this award recognize John
for his incredible stewardship on the fund, but, just as
importantly, it recognizes the tremendous fixed income organization
we have assembled, an organization that is positioned to help us
meet the rapidly evolving fixed income needs of our retail and
institutional clients. In Morningstars Fixed-Income category for
the 2011 Fund Manager of the Year award, three of the five
finalists for this years award are from Fidelity. In addition to
Carlson, Bill Irving, Franco Castagliuolo and Fidelitys
Taxable-Bond Management Team (Fidelity GNMA Fund) and Jamie
Pagliocco and Fidelitys Municipal Bond Management Team (Fidelity
Tax-Free Bond Fund) were nominated for the award. Fidelity
Continues to Expand Global Fixed Income Capabilities Fidelity
continues to make significant investments in expanding and
strengthening its global fixed income capabilities. Earlier this
year, the company launched several new fixed income funds including
Fidelity Global High Income Fund, Fidelity Conservative Income Bond
Fund and Fidelity Defined Maturity Funds, a series of four
diversified open-end mutual funds that invest primarily in
investment grade municipal bonds, clustered around the funds
maturity date. The firm also launched Fidelity Total Emerging
Markets Fund, lead managed by Carlson, which offers investors
exposure to both emerging markets equities and emerging markets
debt through a single investment. Fidelity also continued to expand
its London fixed-income office with the appointment of the companys
first London-based fixed income portfolio manager, Jamie Stuttard,
and three fixed income analysts. This continues an expansion
program that has seen Fidelity double its fixed income investment
professionals in London over the past three years to more than 20
today. About Fidelity Investments Fidelity Investments is one of
the worlds largest providers of financial services, with assets
under administration of $3.4 trillion, including managed assets of
$1.5 trillion, as of November 30, 2011. Founded in 1946, the firm
is a leading provider of investment management, retirement
planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, benefits outsourcing and
many other financial products and services to more than 20 million
individuals and institutions, as well as through 5,000 financial
intermediary firms. For more information about Fidelity
Investments, visit www.fidelity.com. Before investing, consider the
funds investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Please
visit www.fidelity.com or advisor.fidelity.com for a prospectus or
if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification
does not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss. The securities
of smaller, less well-known companies can be more volatile than
those of larger companies. In general the bond market is volatile,
and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest
rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect
is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed
income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default
risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds,
most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses
caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not
possible. Foreign debt can be more volatile than U.S. dollar
denominated debt due to the impact of currency fluctuations as well
as risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or
economic developments. These risks may be more pronounced in
emerging markets, which may be subject to greater social, economic,
regulatory, and political uncertainties. Investments in debt
denominated in a foreign currency involve exchange rate risk, which
is the risk that a decline in the value of the local foreign
currency relative to the U.S. dollar will have an adverse impact on
the value of your investment once principal and interest payments
are converted back to U.S. dollars. The municipal market can be
affected by adverse tax, legislative or political changes and the
financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities. Any
fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be
subject to loss The municipal market is volatile and can be
significantly affected by adverse tax, legislative, or political
changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal
securities. As the fund approaches its liquidation date, the fund's
securities will mature and the fund may reinvest the proceeds in
money market securities with lower yields than the securities
previously held by the fund. Although money market funds seek to
maintain a stable NAV of a $1.00 per share, this is not guaranteed
and they may in fact lose money. In addition, the amount of the
fund's income distributions will vary over time and the breakdown
of returns between fund distributions and liquidation proceeds will
not be predictable at the time of your investment resulting in a
gain or loss for tax purposes. A portion of fund distributions may
be subject to state or federal income taxes, AMT, or taxable as
capital gains. Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE,
SIPC900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917 Fidelity Investments
Institutional Services Company, Inc.,100 Salem Street, Smithfield,
RI 02917 603657.1.0 2011 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 1 As of
September 30, 2011.
has named John Carlson, portfolio manager of Fidelity New Markets
Income Fund (FNMIX), its 2011 Fixed-Income Fund Manager of the Year
in the Unites States. Fidelity is one of the industrys leading
global fixed income investment managers with assets under
management in excess of $835 billion1. According to Morningstar,
its annual Fund Manager of the Year award recognizes portfolio
managers who demonstrate excellent investment skill and the courage
to differ from the consensus to benefit investors. To qualify for
the award, managers funds must not only have posted impressive
returns for the year, but they also must have a record of
delivering outstanding long-term risk-adjusted performance and of
aligning their interests with shareholders. The Fund Manager of the
Year award winners are chosen based on Morningstars proprietary
research and in-depth qualitative evaluation by its fund analysts.
In recognizing Carlson, Morningstars Eric Jacobson stated, Carlson
has been skippering this portfolio since 1995, making him among the
categorys most senior and experienced leaders, with several
emerging-markets crises under his belt. Hes also been among the
most successful. Carlson has been emphatic about sticking with his
discipline over the years, and it paid off in 2011 when contrary to
most peer investors, he cut the funds non-dollar and corporate
exposures and increased exposure to long-dated dollar-denominated
debt. On behalf of Fidelity and the funds shareholders, I am truly
honored to receive this recognition from Morningstar, said Carlson.
This award is a result of a lot of hard work by each and every one
of our bond and high income investment professionals around the
globe. In addition to Fidelity New Markets Income Fund, Carlson
manages Fidelity Advisor Emerging Markets Income Fund, Fidelity
Global High Income Fund (retail and Advisor Classes) and Fidelity
Total Emerging Markets Fund (retail and Advisor Classes).
Morningstars criteria -- excellent investment skill and courage --
are the hallmarks of Johns 16 years at Fidelity, during which time
he has delivered consistently solid results on behalf of our
clients and shareholders, said Ronald P. OHanley, president of
Fidelity Asset Management. Not only does this award recognize John
for his incredible stewardship on the fund, but, just as
importantly, it recognizes the tremendous fixed income organization
we have assembled, an organization that is positioned to help us
meet the rapidly evolving fixed income needs of our retail and
institutional clients. In Morningstars Fixed-Income category for
the 2011 Fund Manager of the Year award, three of the five
finalists for this years award are from Fidelity. In addition to
Carlson, Bill Irving, Franco Castagliuolo and Fidelitys
Taxable-Bond Management Team (Fidelity GNMA Fund) and Jamie
Pagliocco and Fidelitys Municipal Bond Management Team (Fidelity
Tax-Free Bond Fund) were nominated for the award. Fidelity
Continues to Expand Global Fixed Income Capabilities Fidelity
continues to make significant investments in expanding and
strengthening its global fixed income capabilities. Earlier this
year, the company launched several new fixed income funds including
Fidelity Global High Income Fund, Fidelity Conservative Income Bond
Fund and Fidelity Defined Maturity Funds, a series of four
diversified open-end mutual funds that invest primarily in
investment grade municipal bonds, clustered around the funds
maturity date. The firm also launched Fidelity Total Emerging
Markets Fund, lead managed by Carlson, which offers investors
exposure to both emerging markets equities and emerging markets
debt through a single investment. Fidelity also continued to expand
its London fixed-income office with the appointment of the companys
first London-based fixed income portfolio manager, Jamie Stuttard,
and three fixed income analysts. This continues an expansion
program that has seen Fidelity double its fixed income investment
professionals in London over the past three years to more than 20
today. About Fidelity Investments Fidelity Investments is one of
the worlds largest providers of financial services, with assets
under administration of $3.4 trillion, including managed assets of
$1.5 trillion, as of November 30, 2011. Founded in 1946, the firm
is a leading provider of investment management, retirement
planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, benefits outsourcing and
many other financial products and services to more than 20 million
individuals and institutions, as well as through 5,000 financial
intermediary firms. For more information about Fidelity
Investments, visit www.fidelity.com. Before investing, consider the
funds investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Please
visit www.fidelity.com or advisor.fidelity.com for a prospectus or
if available, a summary prospectus, containing this information.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification
does not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss. The securities
of smaller, less well-known companies can be more volatile than
those of larger companies. In general the bond market is volatile,
and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest
rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect
is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed
income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default
risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds,
most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses
caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not
possible. Foreign debt can be more volatile than U.S. dollar
denominated debt due to the impact of currency fluctuations as well
as risks of adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or
economic developments. These risks may be more pronounced in
emerging markets, which may be subject to greater social, economic,
regulatory, and political uncertainties. Investments in debt
denominated in a foreign currency involve exchange rate risk, which
is the risk that a decline in the value of the local foreign
currency relative to the U.S. dollar will have an adverse impact on
the value of your investment once principal and interest payments
are converted back to U.S. dollars. The municipal market can be
affected by adverse tax, legislative or political changes and the
financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities. Any
fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be
subject to loss The municipal market is volatile and can be
significantly affected by adverse tax, legislative, or political
changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal
securities. As the fund approaches its liquidation date, the fund's
securities will mature and the fund may reinvest the proceeds in
money market securities with lower yields than the securities
previously held by the fund. Although money market funds seek to
maintain a stable NAV of a $1.00 per share, this is not guaranteed
and they may in fact lose money. In addition, the amount of the
fund's income distributions will vary over time and the breakdown
of returns between fund distributions and liquidation proceeds will
not be predictable at the time of your investment resulting in a
gain or loss for tax purposes. A portion of fund distributions may
be subject to state or federal income taxes, AMT, or taxable as
capital gains. Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE,
SIPC900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917 Fidelity Investments
Institutional Services Company, Inc.,100 Salem Street, Smithfield,
RI 02917 603657.1.0 2011 FMR LLC. All rights reserved. 1 As of
September 30, 2011.
Should I Just Scrap My Airline Credit Card?
Airline and hotel credit cards are being challenged by
independent rewards cards with easier redemption. Is it time to
switch? Maybe, according to Tim Winship.
independent rewards cards with easier redemption. Is it time to
switch? Maybe, according to Tim Winship.
Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund Provides Unaudited Balance Sheet Information and Announces Its Net Asset Value and Asset Coverage Ratios at December 31, 2011
Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund, Inc. (the Fund)
(NYSE: KYE) today provided a summary unaudited balance sheet and
announced its net asset value and asset coverage ratios under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as of December 31,
2011. As of December 31, 2011, the Funds net assets were $922
million, and its net asset value per share was $26.35. As of
December 31, 2011, the Funds asset coverage ratio under the 1940
Act with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness was
446% and the Funds asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with
respect to total leverage (debt and preferred stock) was 319%.
Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund, Inc. Balance Sheet
December 31, 2011 (Unaudited) (in millions) Per Share
Investments $ 1,345.4 $ 38.44 Cash 24.4 0.70 Deposits 0.7 0.02
Accrued income 3.7 0.10 Receivable for securities sold 2.1 0.06
Other assets 3.8 0.11 Total assets 1,380.1 39.43
Senior notes 301.0 8.60 Preferred stock 120.0
3.43 Total leverage 421.0 12.03 Distribution
payable 16.8 0.48 Payable for securities purchased 10.0 0.29 Other
liabilities 9.9 0.28 Total liabilities 36.7 1.05
Net assets $ 922.4 $ 26.35 The Fund had 35.0 million
common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2011. As of December
31, 2011, equity and debt investments were 89% and 11%,
respectively, of the Funds long-term investments of $1.3 billion.
Long-term investments were comprised of MLPs and MLP Affiliates
(50%), U.S. and Canadian Income Trusts (11%), Marine Transportation
(16%), Coal (3%), Midstream Other (9%) and Debt (11%). The Funds
ten largest holdings by issuer at December 31, 2011 were:
Units(in thousands) Amounts($ millions)
Percent ofLong-TermInvestments 1. Kinder Morgan Management, LLC
(MLP Affiliate) 2,427 $190.6 14.2% 2. Enbridge Energy Management,
L.L.C. (MLP Affiliate) 4,256 147.9 11.0% 3. Plains All American
Pipeline, L.P. (Midstream MLP) 1,089 80.0 5.9% 4. Teekay Offshore
Partners L.P. (Marine Transportation) 2,060 54.3 4.0% 5. Kinder
Morgan, Inc. (Midstream) 1,207 38.8 2.9% 6. Golar LNG Partners LP
(Marine Transportation) 1,231 37.7 2.8% 7. Navios Maritime Partners
L.P. (Marine Transportation) 2,248 33.1 2.5% 8. Crescent Point
Energy Corp. (Income Trust) 728 32.1 2.4% 9. ONEOK, Inc.
(Midstream) 367 31.9 2.4% 10. Enerplus Corporation (Income Trust)
1,168 29.6 2.2% The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 whose common stock is traded on the NYSE. The
Funds investment objective is to obtain a high total return with an
emphasis on current income by investing primarily in securities of
companies engaged in the energy industry, principally including
publicly-traded energy-related master limited partnerships and
limited liability companies taxed as partnerships and their
affiliates, energy-related U.S. and Canadian royalty trusts and
income trusts and other companies that derive at least 50% of their
revenues from operating assets used in, or providing energy-related
services for, the exploration, development, production, gathering,
transportation, processing, storing, refining, distribution, mining
or marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids (including
propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal. CAUTIONARY
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release
contains "forward-looking statements" as defined under the U.S.
federal securities laws. Generally, the words "believe," "expect,"
"intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally
are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to materially differ from the Funds historical experience
and its present expectations or projections indicated in any
forward-looking statement. These risks include, but are not limited
to, changes in economic and political conditions; regulatory and
legal changes; energy industry risk; commodity pricing risk;
leverage risk; valuation risk; non-diversification risk; interest
rate risk; tax risk; and other risks discussed in the Funds filings
with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they
are made. The Fund undertakes no obligation to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statements made herein. There is no
assurance that the Funds investment objectives will be
attained.
(NYSE: KYE) today provided a summary unaudited balance sheet and
announced its net asset value and asset coverage ratios under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as of December 31,
2011. As of December 31, 2011, the Funds net assets were $922
million, and its net asset value per share was $26.35. As of
December 31, 2011, the Funds asset coverage ratio under the 1940
Act with respect to senior securities representing indebtedness was
446% and the Funds asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with
respect to total leverage (debt and preferred stock) was 319%.
Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund, Inc. Balance Sheet
December 31, 2011 (Unaudited) (in millions) Per Share
Investments $ 1,345.4 $ 38.44 Cash 24.4 0.70 Deposits 0.7 0.02
Accrued income 3.7 0.10 Receivable for securities sold 2.1 0.06
Other assets 3.8 0.11 Total assets 1,380.1 39.43
Senior notes 301.0 8.60 Preferred stock 120.0
3.43 Total leverage 421.0 12.03 Distribution
payable 16.8 0.48 Payable for securities purchased 10.0 0.29 Other
liabilities 9.9 0.28 Total liabilities 36.7 1.05
Net assets $ 922.4 $ 26.35 The Fund had 35.0 million
common shares outstanding as of December 31, 2011. As of December
31, 2011, equity and debt investments were 89% and 11%,
respectively, of the Funds long-term investments of $1.3 billion.
Long-term investments were comprised of MLPs and MLP Affiliates
(50%), U.S. and Canadian Income Trusts (11%), Marine Transportation
(16%), Coal (3%), Midstream Other (9%) and Debt (11%). The Funds
ten largest holdings by issuer at December 31, 2011 were:
Units(in thousands) Amounts($ millions)
Percent ofLong-TermInvestments 1. Kinder Morgan Management, LLC
(MLP Affiliate) 2,427 $190.6 14.2% 2. Enbridge Energy Management,
L.L.C. (MLP Affiliate) 4,256 147.9 11.0% 3. Plains All American
Pipeline, L.P. (Midstream MLP) 1,089 80.0 5.9% 4. Teekay Offshore
Partners L.P. (Marine Transportation) 2,060 54.3 4.0% 5. Kinder
Morgan, Inc. (Midstream) 1,207 38.8 2.9% 6. Golar LNG Partners LP
(Marine Transportation) 1,231 37.7 2.8% 7. Navios Maritime Partners
L.P. (Marine Transportation) 2,248 33.1 2.5% 8. Crescent Point
Energy Corp. (Income Trust) 728 32.1 2.4% 9. ONEOK, Inc.
(Midstream) 367 31.9 2.4% 10. Enerplus Corporation (Income Trust)
1,168 29.6 2.2% The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 whose common stock is traded on the NYSE. The
Funds investment objective is to obtain a high total return with an
emphasis on current income by investing primarily in securities of
companies engaged in the energy industry, principally including
publicly-traded energy-related master limited partnerships and
limited liability companies taxed as partnerships and their
affiliates, energy-related U.S. and Canadian royalty trusts and
income trusts and other companies that derive at least 50% of their
revenues from operating assets used in, or providing energy-related
services for, the exploration, development, production, gathering,
transportation, processing, storing, refining, distribution, mining
or marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids (including
propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal. CAUTIONARY
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release
contains "forward-looking statements" as defined under the U.S.
federal securities laws. Generally, the words "believe," "expect,"
"intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally
are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to materially differ from the Funds historical experience
and its present expectations or projections indicated in any
forward-looking statement. These risks include, but are not limited
to, changes in economic and political conditions; regulatory and
legal changes; energy industry risk; commodity pricing risk;
leverage risk; valuation risk; non-diversification risk; interest
rate risk; tax risk; and other risks discussed in the Funds filings
with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they
are made. The Fund undertakes no obligation to publicly update or
revise any forward-looking statements made herein. There is no
assurance that the Funds investment objectives will be
attained.
Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company Provides Unaudited Balance Sheet Information and Announces its Net Asset Value and Asset Coverage Ratios at December 31, 2011
Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company (the Company) (NYSE:
KYN) today provided a summary unaudited balance sheet and announced
its net asset value and asset coverage ratios under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as of December 31, 2011. As of
December 31, 2011, the Companys net assets were $2.2 billion, and
its net asset value per share was $28.73. As of December 31, 2011,
the Companys asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with respect
to senior securities representing indebtedness was 403% and the
Companys asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with respect to
total leverage (debt and preferred stock) was 304%.
Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company Balance Sheet December 31,
2011 (Unaudited) (in millions) Per Share Investments $
3,783.5 $ 50.36 Cash 6.5 0.09 Deposits 0.4 Accrued income 0.6 0.01
Receivable for securities sold 9.5 0.13 Other assets 9.2 0.12 Total
assets 3,809.7 50.71 Credit facility borrowings 22.0 0.29
Senior notes 775.0 10.32 Preferred stock 260.0 3.46 Total leverage
1,057.0 14.07 Payable for securities purchased 22.2 0.30
Deferred tax liability 562.6 7.49 Other liabilities 9.2 0.12 Total
liabilities 594.0 7.91 Net assets $ 2,158.7 $ 28.73
The Company had 75.13 million common shares outstanding as of
December 31, 2011. Long-term investments were comprised of
Midstream MLPs (68%), MLP Affiliates (10%), General Partner MLPs
(8%), Shipping MLPs (5%), Propane MLPs (2%), Upstream MLPs Income
Trust (2%) and Coal MLPs Other (5%). The Companys ten largest
holdings by issuer at December 31, 2011 were: Units(in
thousands) Amount ($ millions) Percent of Long-Term
Investments 1. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (Midstream MLP)
7,286 337.9 8.9% 2. Kinder Morgan Management, LLC (MLP Affiliate)
3,740 293.7 7.8% 3. Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (Midstream
MLP) 2,951 216.7 5.7% 4. MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. (Midstream
MLP) 3,750 206.5 5.5% 5. Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (General
Partner MLP) 4,425 179.5 4.7% 6. Williams Partners L.P. (Midstream
MLP) 2,850 171.0 4.5% 7. Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.
(Midstream MLP) 2,389 164.5 4.3% 8. Regency Energy Partners LP
(Midstream MLP) 6,310 156.9 4.1% 9. El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.
(Midstream MLP) 3,918 135.6 3.6% 10. ONEOK Partners, L.P.
(Midstream MLP) 2,307 133.2 3.5% Kayne Anderson MLP
Investment Company is a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, whose common stock is traded on the NYSE. The Company's
investment objective is to obtain a high after-tax total return by
investing at least 85% of its total assets in energy-related master
limited partnerships and their affiliates, and in other companies
that, as their principal business, operate assets used in the
gathering, transporting, processing, storing, refining,
distributing, mining or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids
(including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press
release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined under the
U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words "believe,"
"expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and
similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which
generally are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements
are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ from the Company's historical experience
and its present expectations or projections indicated in any
forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not
limited to, changes in economic and political conditions;
regulatory and legal changes; MLP industry risk; leverage risk;
valuation risk; interest rate risk; tax risk; and other risks
discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC. You should not
place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements made herein. There is no assurance that the Company's
investment objectives will be attained.
KYN) today provided a summary unaudited balance sheet and announced
its net asset value and asset coverage ratios under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as of December 31, 2011. As of
December 31, 2011, the Companys net assets were $2.2 billion, and
its net asset value per share was $28.73. As of December 31, 2011,
the Companys asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with respect
to senior securities representing indebtedness was 403% and the
Companys asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with respect to
total leverage (debt and preferred stock) was 304%.
Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company Balance Sheet December 31,
2011 (Unaudited) (in millions) Per Share Investments $
3,783.5 $ 50.36 Cash 6.5 0.09 Deposits 0.4 Accrued income 0.6 0.01
Receivable for securities sold 9.5 0.13 Other assets 9.2 0.12 Total
assets 3,809.7 50.71 Credit facility borrowings 22.0 0.29
Senior notes 775.0 10.32 Preferred stock 260.0 3.46 Total leverage
1,057.0 14.07 Payable for securities purchased 22.2 0.30
Deferred tax liability 562.6 7.49 Other liabilities 9.2 0.12 Total
liabilities 594.0 7.91 Net assets $ 2,158.7 $ 28.73
The Company had 75.13 million common shares outstanding as of
December 31, 2011. Long-term investments were comprised of
Midstream MLPs (68%), MLP Affiliates (10%), General Partner MLPs
(8%), Shipping MLPs (5%), Propane MLPs (2%), Upstream MLPs Income
Trust (2%) and Coal MLPs Other (5%). The Companys ten largest
holdings by issuer at December 31, 2011 were: Units(in
thousands) Amount ($ millions) Percent of Long-Term
Investments 1. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (Midstream MLP)
7,286 337.9 8.9% 2. Kinder Morgan Management, LLC (MLP Affiliate)
3,740 293.7 7.8% 3. Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (Midstream
MLP) 2,951 216.7 5.7% 4. MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. (Midstream
MLP) 3,750 206.5 5.5% 5. Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (General
Partner MLP) 4,425 179.5 4.7% 6. Williams Partners L.P. (Midstream
MLP) 2,850 171.0 4.5% 7. Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P.
(Midstream MLP) 2,389 164.5 4.3% 8. Regency Energy Partners LP
(Midstream MLP) 6,310 156.9 4.1% 9. El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.
(Midstream MLP) 3,918 135.6 3.6% 10. ONEOK Partners, L.P.
(Midstream MLP) 2,307 133.2 3.5% Kayne Anderson MLP
Investment Company is a non-diversified, closed-end management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, whose common stock is traded on the NYSE. The Company's
investment objective is to obtain a high after-tax total return by
investing at least 85% of its total assets in energy-related master
limited partnerships and their affiliates, and in other companies
that, as their principal business, operate assets used in the
gathering, transporting, processing, storing, refining,
distributing, mining or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids
(including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press
release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined under the
U.S. federal securities laws. Generally, the words "believe,"
"expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and
similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which
generally are not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements
are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ from the Company's historical experience
and its present expectations or projections indicated in any
forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not
limited to, changes in economic and political conditions;
regulatory and legal changes; MLP industry risk; leverage risk;
valuation risk; interest rate risk; tax risk; and other risks
discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC. You should not
place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements made herein. There is no assurance that the Company's
investment objectives will be attained.
Why Did Hilton Award Brian a Free Night?
Brian earned a free night from Hilton, even though he didn't
satisfy all the promotion's conditions. Tim Winship explains how,
and why there's a lesson here for everyone.
satisfy all the promotion's conditions. Tim Winship explains how,
and why there's a lesson here for everyone.
Major ChinaCast Stockholder, Ned Sherwood, Issues Open Letter to All ChinaCast Stockholders
Ned Sherwood, a major stockholder of ChinaCast Education
Corporation (Nasdaq GS: CAST), today issued the following letter to
all stockholders of the Company: Dear Fellow ChinaCast
Stockholders: I encourage all ChinaCast stockholders to ignore CEO
Ron Chans latest letter, issued today, which in my view is clearly
a desperate last-minute attempt to prevent all stockholders the
true owners of ChinaCast from having a truly independent board of
directors. In fact, Mr. Chans letter is in my view a six-page
compendium of misleading statements, revisionist efforts and thinly
veiled threats, most of which I have already addressed in my prior
letters to stockholders. ChinaCasts current board of directors
consists of seven directors, including two management directors
(Ron Chan and Michael Santos) and five non-management directors,
including Daniel Tseung and myself. Justin Tang, Steve Markscheid
and Hope Ni, who are on Mr. Chans slate, have an unblemished record
of always voting with management directors. It is my strong belief
that only Daniel Tseung and I have voted and acted with
independence to protect the stockholders against questionable
actions by management directors on the board as currently
constituted. Chan asserts in his letter that somehow Ned Sherwood
is gaining control of CAST along with Fir Tree. This is obviously
totally untrue! If you elect my three independent director nominees
Daniel Tseung, Derek Feng and myself on the GREEN card, the CAST
board will include five out of the seven current directors. In my
opinion, it is hard to conceive of how this would be a change of
control without employing Mr. Chans flawed logic and linguistic
contortions. In fact, it is Mr. Chan who has had effective control
of the Company with its current board, which includes two
management directors and three individuals who in my view are
puppet independent directors. The election of my three independent
nominees will not give me control, but it will take de facto
control of the board away from Mr. Chan and place it into the hands
of a truly independent board. Also troubling in Mr. Chans latest
letter is the reiteration of managements threats. Mr. Chan points
out, as a fact helpful to his cause, that each of the four
executives named in Mr. Sherwoods proxy statement (Li Wei, X.Y.
Jiang, Jim Ma and Donald Gardner), together with Ron Chan, Michael
Santos and Tony Sena, have ALL signed a statement that they will
not work for a company that is controlled by Ned Sherwood. I invite
Mr. Chan to explain to all stockholders the circumstances
surrounding the we would hope uncoerced spontaneous signing of this
declaration of loyalty towards Mr. Chan by all these executives. As
recently as yesterday, I called and held a meeting of the
Compensation Committee of the board to propose a Retention Bonus
Program for Li Wei, X.Y. Jiang, Jim Ma, Donald Gardner and other
unspecified key mainland Chinese CAST managers. I proposed that we
approve and announce publicly to the CAST team that each of these
key managers (and possibly others) receive a minimum of a one-time
bonus of 18 months base salary if the manager remains as an
employee of a new acquiror of CAST for at least two years after the
acquisition. Although the January 10 election will NOT result in a
company controlled by Ned Sherwood, I thought it would be prudent
to potentially allocate between $1 to 2.5 million for retention
bonuses for key managers at this critical time in CASTs history, as
a relatively cheap insurance policy to be better positioned to
potentially effect a multi hundred-million dollar sale transaction.
So far, the Compensation Committee has delayed action on my
proposal. I continue to urge all stockholders to vote with our
GREEN proxy card. The Delaware Chancery Court has provided an
opinion on this case worth reviewing by all stockholders. The
nations leading independent proxy advisory service, ISS, has issued
a recommendation that its clients vote on the GREEN proxy card.
Dont listen to the continued revisionist history in CASTs latest
letter. Now is the time for stockholders to make sure that they
have true independent voices in the board room committed to looking
out for their best interests. The ChinaCast annual meeting of
stockholders is just days away. Please vote your GREEN proxy card
TODAY. If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your
GREEN proxy card, please call the firm assisting in the
solicitation of proxies, Innisfree MA Incorporated, toll-free at
(888)750-5834 (banks and brokers call collect at
(212)750-5833). Thank you for your support, Ned Sherwood
Important Information SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE
DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION (THE SEC) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY NED SHERWOOD, ZS EDU L.P., ZS EDU GP
LLC, ROBERT HORNE AND THE NOMINEES FROM THE STOCKHOLDERS OF
CHINACAST EDUCATION CORPORATION (THE ISSUER) FOR USE AT THE ISSUERS
ANNUAL MEETING BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION. INVESTORS CAN GET THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND
OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS, AT NO CHARGE, AT THE SECS WEBSITE AT
HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV.
Corporation (Nasdaq GS: CAST), today issued the following letter to
all stockholders of the Company: Dear Fellow ChinaCast
Stockholders: I encourage all ChinaCast stockholders to ignore CEO
Ron Chans latest letter, issued today, which in my view is clearly
a desperate last-minute attempt to prevent all stockholders the
true owners of ChinaCast from having a truly independent board of
directors. In fact, Mr. Chans letter is in my view a six-page
compendium of misleading statements, revisionist efforts and thinly
veiled threats, most of which I have already addressed in my prior
letters to stockholders. ChinaCasts current board of directors
consists of seven directors, including two management directors
(Ron Chan and Michael Santos) and five non-management directors,
including Daniel Tseung and myself. Justin Tang, Steve Markscheid
and Hope Ni, who are on Mr. Chans slate, have an unblemished record
of always voting with management directors. It is my strong belief
that only Daniel Tseung and I have voted and acted with
independence to protect the stockholders against questionable
actions by management directors on the board as currently
constituted. Chan asserts in his letter that somehow Ned Sherwood
is gaining control of CAST along with Fir Tree. This is obviously
totally untrue! If you elect my three independent director nominees
Daniel Tseung, Derek Feng and myself on the GREEN card, the CAST
board will include five out of the seven current directors. In my
opinion, it is hard to conceive of how this would be a change of
control without employing Mr. Chans flawed logic and linguistic
contortions. In fact, it is Mr. Chan who has had effective control
of the Company with its current board, which includes two
management directors and three individuals who in my view are
puppet independent directors. The election of my three independent
nominees will not give me control, but it will take de facto
control of the board away from Mr. Chan and place it into the hands
of a truly independent board. Also troubling in Mr. Chans latest
letter is the reiteration of managements threats. Mr. Chan points
out, as a fact helpful to his cause, that each of the four
executives named in Mr. Sherwoods proxy statement (Li Wei, X.Y.
Jiang, Jim Ma and Donald Gardner), together with Ron Chan, Michael
Santos and Tony Sena, have ALL signed a statement that they will
not work for a company that is controlled by Ned Sherwood. I invite
Mr. Chan to explain to all stockholders the circumstances
surrounding the we would hope uncoerced spontaneous signing of this
declaration of loyalty towards Mr. Chan by all these executives. As
recently as yesterday, I called and held a meeting of the
Compensation Committee of the board to propose a Retention Bonus
Program for Li Wei, X.Y. Jiang, Jim Ma, Donald Gardner and other
unspecified key mainland Chinese CAST managers. I proposed that we
approve and announce publicly to the CAST team that each of these
key managers (and possibly others) receive a minimum of a one-time
bonus of 18 months base salary if the manager remains as an
employee of a new acquiror of CAST for at least two years after the
acquisition. Although the January 10 election will NOT result in a
company controlled by Ned Sherwood, I thought it would be prudent
to potentially allocate between $1 to 2.5 million for retention
bonuses for key managers at this critical time in CASTs history, as
a relatively cheap insurance policy to be better positioned to
potentially effect a multi hundred-million dollar sale transaction.
So far, the Compensation Committee has delayed action on my
proposal. I continue to urge all stockholders to vote with our
GREEN proxy card. The Delaware Chancery Court has provided an
opinion on this case worth reviewing by all stockholders. The
nations leading independent proxy advisory service, ISS, has issued
a recommendation that its clients vote on the GREEN proxy card.
Dont listen to the continued revisionist history in CASTs latest
letter. Now is the time for stockholders to make sure that they
have true independent voices in the board room committed to looking
out for their best interests. The ChinaCast annual meeting of
stockholders is just days away. Please vote your GREEN proxy card
TODAY. If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your
GREEN proxy card, please call the firm assisting in the
solicitation of proxies, Innisfree MA Incorporated, toll-free at
(888)750-5834 (banks and brokers call collect at
(212)750-5833). Thank you for your support, Ned Sherwood
Important Information SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE
DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION (THE SEC) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY NED SHERWOOD, ZS EDU L.P., ZS EDU GP
LLC, ROBERT HORNE AND THE NOMINEES FROM THE STOCKHOLDERS OF
CHINACAST EDUCATION CORPORATION (THE ISSUER) FOR USE AT THE ISSUERS
ANNUAL MEETING BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION. INVESTORS CAN GET THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND
OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS, AT NO CHARGE, AT THE SECS WEBSITE AT
HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV.
Airline tickets
At present, airline tickets can be booked through the travel
agencies, airline counters and through the Internet. Flight
passengers can avail of the on line air ticket. Discounted air
tickets are offered by most of the flight operators.
agencies, airline counters and through the Internet. Flight
passengers can avail of the on line air ticket. Discounted air
tickets are offered by most of the flight operators.
Help, My Frequent Flyer Miles Expired!
Sarah's 60,000 United miles suddenly disappeared, victim of
the airline's expiration policy. Can they be recovered? Tim Winship
explains the options, and the fees.
the airline's expiration policy. Can they be recovered? Tim Winship
explains the options, and the fees.
Can I Transfer My Iberia Frequent Flyer Miles to American?
Since American and Iberia are frequent flyer partners, I
should be able to transfer miles from one program to the other,
right? Wrong, according to Tim Winship.
should be able to transfer miles from one program to the other,
right? Wrong, according to Tim Winship.
American Express Plans Live Audio Webcasts of the Fourth Quarter 2011 Earnings Conference Call and Semi-Annual Financial Community Meeting
American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) plans to host a live
audio webcast of its investor conference call at 5:00 p.m. (EST) on
Thursday, January 19, 2012 to discuss fourth quarter and full-year
2011 financial results. The company's financial results are
scheduled to be announced shortly after the market closes on that
day. The company also plans to host its semi-annual Financial
Community Meeting on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 2:30 p.m.
(EST). At the meeting, Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman and CEO, will
discuss the Companys operating results and business strategies.
Stephen J. Squeri, Group President, Global Corporate Services, will
provide an overview of the companys shared services groups,
focusing on initiatives to drive cost efficiency while improving
capabilities and customer service. Live audio of both the investor
conference call and the Financial Community Meeting will be
accessible to the general public at http://ir.americanexpress.com.
Materials for both events will be posted on the website prior to
each event, and audio replays will be available on the website
following each event. American Express is a global services
company, providing customers with access to products, insights and
experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn
more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on
facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress,
linkedin.com/companies/american-express,
twitter.com/americanexpress, and
youtube.com/americanexpress.
audio webcast of its investor conference call at 5:00 p.m. (EST) on
Thursday, January 19, 2012 to discuss fourth quarter and full-year
2011 financial results. The company's financial results are
scheduled to be announced shortly after the market closes on that
day. The company also plans to host its semi-annual Financial
Community Meeting on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 2:30 p.m.
(EST). At the meeting, Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman and CEO, will
discuss the Companys operating results and business strategies.
Stephen J. Squeri, Group President, Global Corporate Services, will
provide an overview of the companys shared services groups,
focusing on initiatives to drive cost efficiency while improving
capabilities and customer service. Live audio of both the investor
conference call and the Financial Community Meeting will be
accessible to the general public at http://ir.americanexpress.com.
Materials for both events will be posted on the website prior to
each event, and audio replays will be available on the website
following each event. American Express is a global services
company, providing customers with access to products, insights and
experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn
more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on
facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress,
linkedin.com/companies/american-express,
twitter.com/americanexpress, and
youtube.com/americanexpress.
Can I Upgrade My Round-the-World Honeymoon Trip?
Marko is using frequent flyer miles for his honeymoon trip
and wants to upgrade himself and his bride. Tim Winship suggests
his best bet might be to play the "just married" card.
and wants to upgrade himself and his bride. Tim Winship suggests
his best bet might be to play the "just married" card.
Help, Fuel Surcharges Are Making My 'Free' Ticket Unaffordable!
Not all airlines impose phony "extra" surcharges, writes Tim
Winship. Here's how to make sure your free ticket stays
free.
Winship. Here's how to make sure your free ticket stays
free.
Allegiant Air
Allegiant Airlines is a very popular low-cost domestic
airline in the US. Allegiant air has a fleet size of 46 and moves
to 71 destinations within the country.
airline in the US. Allegiant air has a fleet size of 46 and moves
to 71 destinations within the country.
Can I Get My Elite Miles Back? Please!
When Delta changed our reader's schedule, he realized he
would earn fewer elite-qualifying miles. Should Delta award him the
original miles, or is he out of luck?
would earn fewer elite-qualifying miles. Should Delta award him the
original miles, or is he out of luck?
See What Youve Been Missing with the Launch of Zyngas Newest Game: Hidden Chronicles
Zynga (NASDAQ: ZNGA), the worlds leading social game
developer, today announced the global launch of Hidden Chronicles,
the companys first-ever social hidden object game. Created by some
of the most talented women in casual and social game design and
entertainment, Hidden Chronicles invites players to find hidden
objects, solve puzzles, and unlock mysteries. Marking an entrance
into an entirely new game genre for Zynga, Hidden Chronicles
combines memory, skill, and social interactions, making it the most
social hidden object game available. In Hidden Chronicles, players
explore beautiful scenes to uncover carefully hidden objects while
customizing their very own estate. They unlock new locations by
completing quests, mastering scenes, solving puzzles, and restoring
the estate, Ramsey Manor while unraveling a mysterious plot along
the way. Players advancing through the game will earn coins,
experience points, and unique items to help them customize their
estate. Hidden Chronicles offers endless combinations of objects,
new challenges and a puzzling mystery, delivering a fresh
experience to players and their friends every time they play. With
the introduction of Hidden Chronicles, were proud to bring this new
social game genre to millions of Zynga players, said Roy Sehgal,
vice president of studios and general manager of Hidden Chronicles,
Zynga. Given the immense popularity of the hidden object genre on
the PC and Mac, we have high hopes this game will provide those
players a fun introduction to social games, and appeal to brand new
hidden objects sleuths as well. Hidden Chronicles includes features
that stand out in any crowd: Mysterious Narrative: Youll embark on
your Hidden Chronicles journey after receiving a letter from your
Uncle Geoffrey, summoning you to Ramsey Manor. You arrive only to
find that your Uncle died under suspicious circumstances, and left
behind a mystery that only you can solve. Social Scavenger Hunt:
Visit your friends in-game estate to hide gifts and challenge them
to play FastFind scenes and find the most hidden objects within 60
seconds. Mini-games, Big Bonuses: Some hidden object scenes include
mini-games from jigsaw puzzles to concentration games. Unlock and
solve these puzzles and you will be rewarded handsomely. Estate of
Secrets: Enjoy the thrill of the hunt that hidden object games
offer, along with the fun and familiarity with Zynga's signature
elements with self-expression and decoration. Explore your Uncles
estate to unlock new hidden objects scenes and puzzles to reveal
more secrets and bonuses. Sophisticated Art Style: Hidden
Chronicles introduces a brand new art style for Zynga, with
visually stunning scenes and animations, not to mention
high-quality sound. Hidden object games have existed for years in
the form of puzzles, books, and board games, said Cara Ely,
Creative Director of Hidden Chronicles. Were bringing this beloved
gameplay out of hiding and making it a social experience, so
players and their friends can discover the fun of social hidden
object games together. The creative team behind Hidden Chronicles
includes co-creator Cara Ely, former creator of the popular Dream
Day Wedding series of hidden object games, narrative designer Jane
Jensen, creator of the Gabriel Knight series of PC games, and art
director Margaret Foley-Mouvais, former art director for titles
such as The Lord of the Rings and The Godfather, as well as lead
product manager Nancy Hang. Hidden Chronicles is free to play and
available today on Facebook at:
http://apps.facebook.com/hidden-chronicles. The game is available
in 15 languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish,
Portuguese, Turkish, Swedish, Thai, Dutch, Norwegian, Korean,
Traditional Chinese, Japanese and Danish. For more information on
Hidden Chronicles, visit: http://www.facebook.com/HiddenChronicles.
Game logo and images can be found here:
https://zynga.box.com/s/9bszg89vbfyd4d34u9s2. To view the Hidden
Chronicles trailer, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCbZgEta67E. For other information,
please contact press@zynga.com and follow us on Twitter.com/zynga.
About Zynga Inc. Zynga (NASDAQ: ZNGA) is the world's largest social
game developer with more than 227 million monthly active users
playing its games, which include CityVille, FarmVille, Words With
Friends, CastleVille, Zynga Poker, Empires Allies, Indiana Jones
Adventure World, The Pioneer Trail, Mafia Wars and Café World.
Zynga's games are available on a number of global platforms,
including Facebook, Google+, Tencent, Apple iOS and Google Android.
Through Zynga.org, Zynga players have raised more than $10 million
for world social causes. Zynga is headquartered in San
Francisco.
developer, today announced the global launch of Hidden Chronicles,
the companys first-ever social hidden object game. Created by some
of the most talented women in casual and social game design and
entertainment, Hidden Chronicles invites players to find hidden
objects, solve puzzles, and unlock mysteries. Marking an entrance
into an entirely new game genre for Zynga, Hidden Chronicles
combines memory, skill, and social interactions, making it the most
social hidden object game available. In Hidden Chronicles, players
explore beautiful scenes to uncover carefully hidden objects while
customizing their very own estate. They unlock new locations by
completing quests, mastering scenes, solving puzzles, and restoring
the estate, Ramsey Manor while unraveling a mysterious plot along
the way. Players advancing through the game will earn coins,
experience points, and unique items to help them customize their
estate. Hidden Chronicles offers endless combinations of objects,
new challenges and a puzzling mystery, delivering a fresh
experience to players and their friends every time they play. With
the introduction of Hidden Chronicles, were proud to bring this new
social game genre to millions of Zynga players, said Roy Sehgal,
vice president of studios and general manager of Hidden Chronicles,
Zynga. Given the immense popularity of the hidden object genre on
the PC and Mac, we have high hopes this game will provide those
players a fun introduction to social games, and appeal to brand new
hidden objects sleuths as well. Hidden Chronicles includes features
that stand out in any crowd: Mysterious Narrative: Youll embark on
your Hidden Chronicles journey after receiving a letter from your
Uncle Geoffrey, summoning you to Ramsey Manor. You arrive only to
find that your Uncle died under suspicious circumstances, and left
behind a mystery that only you can solve. Social Scavenger Hunt:
Visit your friends in-game estate to hide gifts and challenge them
to play FastFind scenes and find the most hidden objects within 60
seconds. Mini-games, Big Bonuses: Some hidden object scenes include
mini-games from jigsaw puzzles to concentration games. Unlock and
solve these puzzles and you will be rewarded handsomely. Estate of
Secrets: Enjoy the thrill of the hunt that hidden object games
offer, along with the fun and familiarity with Zynga's signature
elements with self-expression and decoration. Explore your Uncles
estate to unlock new hidden objects scenes and puzzles to reveal
more secrets and bonuses. Sophisticated Art Style: Hidden
Chronicles introduces a brand new art style for Zynga, with
visually stunning scenes and animations, not to mention
high-quality sound. Hidden object games have existed for years in
the form of puzzles, books, and board games, said Cara Ely,
Creative Director of Hidden Chronicles. Were bringing this beloved
gameplay out of hiding and making it a social experience, so
players and their friends can discover the fun of social hidden
object games together. The creative team behind Hidden Chronicles
includes co-creator Cara Ely, former creator of the popular Dream
Day Wedding series of hidden object games, narrative designer Jane
Jensen, creator of the Gabriel Knight series of PC games, and art
director Margaret Foley-Mouvais, former art director for titles
such as The Lord of the Rings and The Godfather, as well as lead
product manager Nancy Hang. Hidden Chronicles is free to play and
available today on Facebook at:
http://apps.facebook.com/hidden-chronicles. The game is available
in 15 languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish,
Portuguese, Turkish, Swedish, Thai, Dutch, Norwegian, Korean,
Traditional Chinese, Japanese and Danish. For more information on
Hidden Chronicles, visit: http://www.facebook.com/HiddenChronicles.
Game logo and images can be found here:
https://zynga.box.com/s/9bszg89vbfyd4d34u9s2. To view the Hidden
Chronicles trailer, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCbZgEta67E. For other information,
please contact press@zynga.com and follow us on Twitter.com/zynga.
About Zynga Inc. Zynga (NASDAQ: ZNGA) is the world's largest social
game developer with more than 227 million monthly active users
playing its games, which include CityVille, FarmVille, Words With
Friends, CastleVille, Zynga Poker, Empires Allies, Indiana Jones
Adventure World, The Pioneer Trail, Mafia Wars and Café World.
Zynga's games are available on a number of global platforms,
including Facebook, Google+, Tencent, Apple iOS and Google Android.
Through Zynga.org, Zynga players have raised more than $10 million
for world social causes. Zynga is headquartered in San
Francisco.
AmeriGas Partners to Issue Notes
AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (NYSE:APU) (AmeriGas Partners) today
announced that its wholly owned subsidiaries, AmeriGas Finance
Corp. and AmeriGas Finance LLC (the Issuers), intend to offer,
subject to market and other conditions, $1.55 billion aggregate
principal amount of senior notes due 2020 and 2022 (together, the
notes) in a registered public offering. The notes will be fully and
unconditionally guaranteed by AmeriGas Partners (the guarantees).
The net proceeds from the offering will be used to finance the
previously announced acquisition of the propane operations of
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (the Heritage Acquisition), to pay
expenses for the Heritage Acquisition and for general corporate
purposes, including to pay down borrowings outstanding under the
bank credit agreement of AmeriGas Partners operating partnership,
AmeriGas Propane, L.P. To the extent the notes offering closes
before the Heritage Acquisition, proceeds will be placed into
escrow until such time as the acquisition closes. AmeriGas Partners
and the Issuers have registered the notes and the guarantees on a
registration statement on Form S-3 (including a prospectus) filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Before you
invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration
statement and the supplement thereto and the other documents that
AmeriGas Partners has filed with the SEC for more complete
information about AmeriGas Partners and this offering. These
documents are available at no charge by visiting EDGAR on the SEC
web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, these documents will be
made available upon request by AmeriGas Partners or by any
underwriter or dealer participating in the offering. Credit Suisse
Securities (USA) LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan
Securities LLC, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC will be acting as
joint book-running managers for the notes offering. Interested
parties may obtain a prospectus from Credit Suisse Securities (USA)
LLC by directing a request to Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC,
Prospectus Department, One Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010, or
by calling 1-800-221-1037. This announcement does not constitute an
offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any note in
any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation, or the
sale of these notes, would be unlawful without registration or
qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Any
offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy, will be made
solely by means of a prospectus and related prospectus supplement
filed with the SEC. About AmeriGas Partners, L.P. AmeriGas Partners
is the nations largest retail propane marketer, serving
approximately 1.3 million customers in all 50 states from nearly
1,200 locations.
announced that its wholly owned subsidiaries, AmeriGas Finance
Corp. and AmeriGas Finance LLC (the Issuers), intend to offer,
subject to market and other conditions, $1.55 billion aggregate
principal amount of senior notes due 2020 and 2022 (together, the
notes) in a registered public offering. The notes will be fully and
unconditionally guaranteed by AmeriGas Partners (the guarantees).
The net proceeds from the offering will be used to finance the
previously announced acquisition of the propane operations of
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (the Heritage Acquisition), to pay
expenses for the Heritage Acquisition and for general corporate
purposes, including to pay down borrowings outstanding under the
bank credit agreement of AmeriGas Partners operating partnership,
AmeriGas Propane, L.P. To the extent the notes offering closes
before the Heritage Acquisition, proceeds will be placed into
escrow until such time as the acquisition closes. AmeriGas Partners
and the Issuers have registered the notes and the guarantees on a
registration statement on Form S-3 (including a prospectus) filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). Before you
invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration
statement and the supplement thereto and the other documents that
AmeriGas Partners has filed with the SEC for more complete
information about AmeriGas Partners and this offering. These
documents are available at no charge by visiting EDGAR on the SEC
web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, these documents will be
made available upon request by AmeriGas Partners or by any
underwriter or dealer participating in the offering. Credit Suisse
Securities (USA) LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., J.P. Morgan
Securities LLC, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC will be acting as
joint book-running managers for the notes offering. Interested
parties may obtain a prospectus from Credit Suisse Securities (USA)
LLC by directing a request to Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC,
Prospectus Department, One Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010, or
by calling 1-800-221-1037. This announcement does not constitute an
offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any note in
any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation, or the
sale of these notes, would be unlawful without registration or
qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. Any
offer to sell, or solicitation of an offer to buy, will be made
solely by means of a prospectus and related prospectus supplement
filed with the SEC. About AmeriGas Partners, L.P. AmeriGas Partners
is the nations largest retail propane marketer, serving
approximately 1.3 million customers in all 50 states from nearly
1,200 locations.
Who is Talking about You? IABC Dallas Presents Why Social Media is Key to Marketing Your Brand
At the Jan. 17 luncheon of the International Association of
Business Communicators Dallas chapter, Chris Conant, president of
More Cabbage, will discuss why you should be using Social Media
Public Relationssuch as relationships in YouTube, Facebook and
Twitterand other syndicated databases to distribute, catalog and
extend your brand into search results, third-party websites and
data feeds. The effort you put into Social PR now will live online
for years to come," says Conant. To not participate in Social PR is
like deciding you dont need any relationships to run a business.
Learn what you need to do now in Social PR so youre not kicking
yourself in about two years. In 2003, Conant founded More Cabbage,
a strategic marketing and design firm (http://morecabbage.com). The
company, which has experienced year-over-year growth, has more than
150 clients spanning the United States, including the State of
Oregon, L.A. Superior Courts, Addax Minerals, Designing Health,
Johnson Controls, Wells Fargo, C2C, and Hoag Hospital. More Cabbage
ventured into Social PR in 2009 because of its proven success at
building brands, managing reputations, converting fans into
champion referrers, and immersing brands into social media
conversations. Conant and his staff of 19 draw on years of
real-world strategic work, branding, communications, user
experience, marketing, public relations, design, video and
technology experience to excel at Social Public Relations.
Attendees must register for this event (which begins at 11:15 a.m.
and ends at 1 p.m. at Maggianos Little Italy,
http://maggianos.com/EN/Willow-Bend Plano
TX/Pages/LocationLanding.aspx, in Plano). Registration information
is available at the IABC Dallas website. Discounts are available
for members, students and early registrants. Walk-ups are not
permitted. Registration closes at 10 p.m. Jan. 12. IABC is a
worldwide professional organization of more than 15,000
communicators. Membership benefits include accreditation and
professional development opportunities, access to leading-edge
research and publications, and networking in local regional,
national, and international venues. IABC Dallas is one of the top
10 chapters. The chapter serves more than 300 members representing
corporations, agencies, and professional services, as well as
government, association, not-for-profit and entrepreneurial
organizations. IABC Dallas offers a range of resources and
networking opportunities, including regular professional
development meetings, workshops and seminars, member newsletters,
awards programs and job placement resources. IABC Dallas can trace
its roots to 1942, when it was known as the Southwestern
Association of Industrial Editors. For more information, visit
http://www.iabcdallas.com. Twitter Pitch: Social PR key to
long-term brand success? Links: IABC Dallas:
http://www.iabcdallas.com IABC: http://iabc.com Twitter: @IABC
Dallas Maggianos Little Italy: http://maggianos.com/EN/Willow-Bend
Plano TX/Pages/LocationLanding.aspx More Cabbage:
http://morecabbage.com Twitter: @morecabbage
Business Communicators Dallas chapter, Chris Conant, president of
More Cabbage, will discuss why you should be using Social Media
Public Relationssuch as relationships in YouTube, Facebook and
Twitterand other syndicated databases to distribute, catalog and
extend your brand into search results, third-party websites and
data feeds. The effort you put into Social PR now will live online
for years to come," says Conant. To not participate in Social PR is
like deciding you dont need any relationships to run a business.
Learn what you need to do now in Social PR so youre not kicking
yourself in about two years. In 2003, Conant founded More Cabbage,
a strategic marketing and design firm (http://morecabbage.com). The
company, which has experienced year-over-year growth, has more than
150 clients spanning the United States, including the State of
Oregon, L.A. Superior Courts, Addax Minerals, Designing Health,
Johnson Controls, Wells Fargo, C2C, and Hoag Hospital. More Cabbage
ventured into Social PR in 2009 because of its proven success at
building brands, managing reputations, converting fans into
champion referrers, and immersing brands into social media
conversations. Conant and his staff of 19 draw on years of
real-world strategic work, branding, communications, user
experience, marketing, public relations, design, video and
technology experience to excel at Social Public Relations.
Attendees must register for this event (which begins at 11:15 a.m.
and ends at 1 p.m. at Maggianos Little Italy,
http://maggianos.com/EN/Willow-Bend Plano
TX/Pages/LocationLanding.aspx, in Plano). Registration information
is available at the IABC Dallas website. Discounts are available
for members, students and early registrants. Walk-ups are not
permitted. Registration closes at 10 p.m. Jan. 12. IABC is a
worldwide professional organization of more than 15,000
communicators. Membership benefits include accreditation and
professional development opportunities, access to leading-edge
research and publications, and networking in local regional,
national, and international venues. IABC Dallas is one of the top
10 chapters. The chapter serves more than 300 members representing
corporations, agencies, and professional services, as well as
government, association, not-for-profit and entrepreneurial
organizations. IABC Dallas offers a range of resources and
networking opportunities, including regular professional
development meetings, workshops and seminars, member newsletters,
awards programs and job placement resources. IABC Dallas can trace
its roots to 1942, when it was known as the Southwestern
Association of Industrial Editors. For more information, visit
http://www.iabcdallas.com. Twitter Pitch: Social PR key to
long-term brand success? Links: IABC Dallas:
http://www.iabcdallas.com IABC: http://iabc.com Twitter: @IABC
Dallas Maggianos Little Italy: http://maggianos.com/EN/Willow-Bend
Plano TX/Pages/LocationLanding.aspx More Cabbage:
http://morecabbage.com Twitter: @morecabbage
American's Flex Awards: Good, Bad, or Ugly?
Our reader thinks American's Flex Awards are a scam
masquerading as frequent flyer salvation. Is he right? Tim Winship
thinks not, and explains why.
masquerading as frequent flyer salvation. Is he right? Tim Winship
thinks not, and explains why.
Why Does a British Airways Award Ticket Cost $500?
Ingrid was quoted more than $500 in fees to use her British
Airways miles for an award trip. Tim Winship explains the how, the
why, and the options.
Airways miles for an award trip. Tim Winship explains the how, the
why, and the options.
Outstanding Professors Receive $375,000 for Inspiring Their Students
Fifteen distinguished professors from universities around the
United States will each receive a $25,000 one-time cash award from
the Gail McKnight Beckman Trust for inspiring their students to
make a difference in their communities. The awards ceremony will
take place at The Carter Center in Atlanta on Saturday, January 7,
2012 at 6:00 p.m. The awards were created to benefit current or
former academic faculty members who have inspired their students to
create an organization which has demonstrably conferred a benefit
on the community at large, said Joyce Yamaato, Vice President of
Wells Fargo and Senior Trust and Fiduciary Specialist. The academic
faculty member must have inspired a student to establish, on a
lasting basis, a concept, procedure, or movement of comparable
benefit to the community at large. (A complete list of the award
recipients and their universities follows this press release.) The
trust was founded in 2008 under the will of Gail McKnight Beckman
in honor of her mother Dr. Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman. Dr. Beckman
was an educator, a renowned author and a pioneer in the field of
psychology. She was one of the first female psychology professors
at Columbia University and later taught at the University of
Pennsylvania. These outstanding faculty members have inspired their
former students to change the world. The trust recognizes the
benefits of what an extraordinary professor can produce, said Dr.
Carol Goodheart, Beckman Trust Committee Member and Past President
of the American Psychological Association. We learn how remarkably
professors have motivated their students, and see how students have
created a real-world success because of this inspiration.The
Advisory Committee comprised of Dr. Carol Goodheart, of the
American Psychological Association, Dr. Karen Tidmarsh of Bryn Mawr
College, Dr. Geraldine Downey of Columbia University and Joyce
Yamaato of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The recipients must meet these
additional qualifications. Recipients must be current or former
professors or instructors at a college, university, junior college,
community college or technical school in America. Preference is
given to those who teach in the fields of psychology, medicine or
law. Since its inception in 2008, the Beckman Trust has awarded
$150,000 to six professors and/or faculty members. Anyone
(including the candidate) may nominate candidates for the award.
Each year the award committee prescreens the nominees for
qualification. The students of those nominees who are determined to
be eligible will then be invited to apply for the award through an
application process. The Trust is supported by the Wells Fargos
Philanthropic Services group. For more information, go online at
www.wellsfargo.com/privatefoundationgrants/beckman. Recipient Name
Current College or
University Etiony Aldarondo, Ph.D.
University of Miami Jessica Henderson Daniel
Harvard Medical
School Michelle Fine
City University of New York Howard S. Friedman
University of California,
Riverside Elizabeth Louise Glisky
University of Arizona Janet E. Helms, Ph.D.
Boston College
Marsha Marie Linehan
University of Washington Raymond P. Lorion, Ph.D.
Towson University Susan
McDaniel, Ph.D.
University of Rochester Layli Phillips Maparyan, Ph.D.
Georgia State University
Dr. Alice Anne Medalia
Columbia University Frances V. Mervyn, Ph.D.
Massachusetts School of
Professional Psychology Bonnie Ruth Strickland, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts,
Amherst Stanley Sue, Ph.D.
Palo Alto University Bruce Wampold
University of Wisconsin,
Madison
United States will each receive a $25,000 one-time cash award from
the Gail McKnight Beckman Trust for inspiring their students to
make a difference in their communities. The awards ceremony will
take place at The Carter Center in Atlanta on Saturday, January 7,
2012 at 6:00 p.m. The awards were created to benefit current or
former academic faculty members who have inspired their students to
create an organization which has demonstrably conferred a benefit
on the community at large, said Joyce Yamaato, Vice President of
Wells Fargo and Senior Trust and Fiduciary Specialist. The academic
faculty member must have inspired a student to establish, on a
lasting basis, a concept, procedure, or movement of comparable
benefit to the community at large. (A complete list of the award
recipients and their universities follows this press release.) The
trust was founded in 2008 under the will of Gail McKnight Beckman
in honor of her mother Dr. Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman. Dr. Beckman
was an educator, a renowned author and a pioneer in the field of
psychology. She was one of the first female psychology professors
at Columbia University and later taught at the University of
Pennsylvania. These outstanding faculty members have inspired their
former students to change the world. The trust recognizes the
benefits of what an extraordinary professor can produce, said Dr.
Carol Goodheart, Beckman Trust Committee Member and Past President
of the American Psychological Association. We learn how remarkably
professors have motivated their students, and see how students have
created a real-world success because of this inspiration.The
Advisory Committee comprised of Dr. Carol Goodheart, of the
American Psychological Association, Dr. Karen Tidmarsh of Bryn Mawr
College, Dr. Geraldine Downey of Columbia University and Joyce
Yamaato of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The recipients must meet these
additional qualifications. Recipients must be current or former
professors or instructors at a college, university, junior college,
community college or technical school in America. Preference is
given to those who teach in the fields of psychology, medicine or
law. Since its inception in 2008, the Beckman Trust has awarded
$150,000 to six professors and/or faculty members. Anyone
(including the candidate) may nominate candidates for the award.
Each year the award committee prescreens the nominees for
qualification. The students of those nominees who are determined to
be eligible will then be invited to apply for the award through an
application process. The Trust is supported by the Wells Fargos
Philanthropic Services group. For more information, go online at
www.wellsfargo.com/privatefoundationgrants/beckman. Recipient Name
Current College or
University Etiony Aldarondo, Ph.D.
University of Miami Jessica Henderson Daniel
Harvard Medical
School Michelle Fine
City University of New York Howard S. Friedman
University of California,
Riverside Elizabeth Louise Glisky
University of Arizona Janet E. Helms, Ph.D.
Boston College
Marsha Marie Linehan
University of Washington Raymond P. Lorion, Ph.D.
Towson University Susan
McDaniel, Ph.D.
University of Rochester Layli Phillips Maparyan, Ph.D.
Georgia State University
Dr. Alice Anne Medalia
Columbia University Frances V. Mervyn, Ph.D.
Massachusetts School of
Professional Psychology Bonnie Ruth Strickland, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts,
Amherst Stanley Sue, Ph.D.
Palo Alto University Bruce Wampold
University of Wisconsin,
Madison
GIA Launches 4Cs iPad App in Simplified Chinese
GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has announced that its
4Cs iPad application (app) for consumers and retailers is now
available in Simplified Chinese. The free app is designed to
educate and engage consumers on the 4Cs (Color, Clarity, Cut and
Carat weight) of diamond quality through video and interactive
tools. By creating the 4Cs iPad app in Simplified Chinese, we reach
a significant demographic for gems and jewelry, said Kathryn
Kimmel, GIA vice president and chief marketing officer. As a global
organization dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gemstones,
it is imperative to educate as many consumers as possible, and
using the latest technology is a great way to do it. App users can
explore how diamond color changes across the GIA D-to-Z Color
Scale, typical inclusions and blemishes at various points in the
GIA Clarity Scale, a diamonds anatomy, how various parameters
influence a diamonds cut grade, how a diamonds size changes by
carat weight, and a GIA Grading Report Anatomy. The app also
features direct access to GIA Report Check, a secure online
database of GIA grading reports, and the special consumer feature,
My Diamond Wish List. The consumer version of the app is
downloadable for free on iTunes. A retailer version, designed for
use at point of sale, is also downloadable for free from GIAs
retailer support site www.retailer.gia.edu. About GIA An
independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of
America) is recognized as the worlds foremost authority in
gemology. Established in 1931, GIA has translated its expert
knowledge into the most respected gemological education available.
Early in the 1950s, GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Clarity,
Cut and Carat weight. In 1953, the Institute created the
International Diamond Grading System, which, today, is recognized
by virtually every professional jeweler in the world. Through
research, education, gemological laboratory services, and
instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the
public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards
of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. GIA can be
found on the web at www.gia.edu.
4Cs iPad application (app) for consumers and retailers is now
available in Simplified Chinese. The free app is designed to
educate and engage consumers on the 4Cs (Color, Clarity, Cut and
Carat weight) of diamond quality through video and interactive
tools. By creating the 4Cs iPad app in Simplified Chinese, we reach
a significant demographic for gems and jewelry, said Kathryn
Kimmel, GIA vice president and chief marketing officer. As a global
organization dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gemstones,
it is imperative to educate as many consumers as possible, and
using the latest technology is a great way to do it. App users can
explore how diamond color changes across the GIA D-to-Z Color
Scale, typical inclusions and blemishes at various points in the
GIA Clarity Scale, a diamonds anatomy, how various parameters
influence a diamonds cut grade, how a diamonds size changes by
carat weight, and a GIA Grading Report Anatomy. The app also
features direct access to GIA Report Check, a secure online
database of GIA grading reports, and the special consumer feature,
My Diamond Wish List. The consumer version of the app is
downloadable for free on iTunes. A retailer version, designed for
use at point of sale, is also downloadable for free from GIAs
retailer support site www.retailer.gia.edu. About GIA An
independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of
America) is recognized as the worlds foremost authority in
gemology. Established in 1931, GIA has translated its expert
knowledge into the most respected gemological education available.
Early in the 1950s, GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Clarity,
Cut and Carat weight. In 1953, the Institute created the
International Diamond Grading System, which, today, is recognized
by virtually every professional jeweler in the world. Through
research, education, gemological laboratory services, and
instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the
public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards
of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. GIA can be
found on the web at www.gia.edu.
Best Credit Cards for Earning Free Travel
Ready, set, charge your way to a free trip! Tim Winship
reviews the "best" cards around, and explains how to make them work
for you.
reviews the "best" cards around, and explains how to make them work
for you.
Credit Card Benefits -- Denied!
Kat's husband has a SkyMiles credit card, but Delta and
American Express are denying him a standard cardholder benefit. Tim
Winship reads the fine print.
American Express are denying him a standard cardholder benefit. Tim
Winship reads the fine print.
Volaris Airlines
Volaris Airlines is one of the main airlines in the country
of Mexico. In the aviation industry, Volaris has earned popularity
as a budget airline. Its fleet size of 17 helps the travelers to
move to 21 destinations.
of Mexico. In the aviation industry, Volaris has earned popularity
as a budget airline. Its fleet size of 17 helps the travelers to
move to 21 destinations.
Should I Get a JetBlue Credit Card?
Do 10,000 bonus TrueBlue points make the JetBlue credit card
a good buy? Maybe. But there might be better deals to be had,
according to Tim Winship.
a good buy? Maybe. But there might be better deals to be had,
according to Tim Winship.
How Can I Donate My Frequent Flyer Miles to a Worthy Cause?
Our reader has more than 300,000 frequent flyer miles and
wants to donate them to a worthy cause. Can he? How? Tim Winship
has answers and suggestions.
wants to donate them to a worthy cause. Can he? How? Tim Winship
has answers and suggestions.
What Happened to My Bonus Miles?
Our reader complied with the terms of a 10,000-mile bonus
offer, but Delta is withholding her miles. Tim Winship investigates
and suggests a fair-minded solution.
offer, but Delta is withholding her miles. Tim Winship investigates
and suggests a fair-minded solution.
Health Risk Partners Receives Certification for CMS Encounter Data System Front-End Testing Well Ahead of Mandatory Deadline
Health Risk Partners (HRP), the Revenue Integrity Division of
Verisk Health and a leading provider of healthcare risk adjustment
services, announced it received certification from the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for successful completion
ofthe Encounter Data System Front-End Testing. The new
Encounter Data Processing System supports CMSs rapidly evolving
role in the delivery, management, and payment of healthcare
services. CMS is requiring certification for the submission of
Medicare Advantage plan encounter data, scheduled to begin today,
January 4, with CMS End-To-End testing followed by production data
submission. As of December 2011, HRP has received CMS
certifications for more health plans than any other third-party
submitter. Health Risk Partners was certified on the first day that
CMS began the new Encounter Data System Front-End Testing
certification process, which demonstrates HRPs institutional
knowledge and market expertise, as well as our ability to put our
clients interest and needs at the forefront, said Jamie Wells,
chief operating officer at Health Risk Partners. We have
significant experience working closely with CMS and in building
custom processes that are compliant with CMS requirements, so our
clients are confident and secure in knowing revenue is not being
put at risk. Further, we believe our clients will maintain a
competitive edge while we add value to the integrity of the data
submitted to CMS to drive its reimbursement programs for the
future. HRP leverages its risk adjustment and data management
expertise to provide a comprehensive solution to support health
plans with EDS submissions and revenue management. The HRP solution
goes well beyond providing the mandated HIPAA-compliant (X12 5010
837 I, P) electronic data interchange. HRPs integrated solution,
featuring ReconEdge EDSQ, also includes high-quality automated data
editing and cleansing, an automated system for exception
management, and robust analytical reporting all to help health
plans operate cost-effectively while managing revenue risk. About
Health Risk Partners Health Risk Partners (HRP), the Revenue
Integrity Division of Verisk Health, is a leading healthcare
technology firm and provider of risk adjustment services. The HRP
team has extensive experience working with federal and state
healthcare payment methodologies and transforming them into solid
business practices for Medicare and Medicaid health plans. HRP is
dedicated to helping its clients attain the highest levels of
compliance, profitability, and strategic planning. Verisk Health is
a subsidiary of Verisk Analytics (Nasdaq:VRSK). For more
information, visit www.healthriskpartners.com.
Verisk Health and a leading provider of healthcare risk adjustment
services, announced it received certification from the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for successful completion
ofthe Encounter Data System Front-End Testing. The new
Encounter Data Processing System supports CMSs rapidly evolving
role in the delivery, management, and payment of healthcare
services. CMS is requiring certification for the submission of
Medicare Advantage plan encounter data, scheduled to begin today,
January 4, with CMS End-To-End testing followed by production data
submission. As of December 2011, HRP has received CMS
certifications for more health plans than any other third-party
submitter. Health Risk Partners was certified on the first day that
CMS began the new Encounter Data System Front-End Testing
certification process, which demonstrates HRPs institutional
knowledge and market expertise, as well as our ability to put our
clients interest and needs at the forefront, said Jamie Wells,
chief operating officer at Health Risk Partners. We have
significant experience working closely with CMS and in building
custom processes that are compliant with CMS requirements, so our
clients are confident and secure in knowing revenue is not being
put at risk. Further, we believe our clients will maintain a
competitive edge while we add value to the integrity of the data
submitted to CMS to drive its reimbursement programs for the
future. HRP leverages its risk adjustment and data management
expertise to provide a comprehensive solution to support health
plans with EDS submissions and revenue management. The HRP solution
goes well beyond providing the mandated HIPAA-compliant (X12 5010
837 I, P) electronic data interchange. HRPs integrated solution,
featuring ReconEdge EDSQ, also includes high-quality automated data
editing and cleansing, an automated system for exception
management, and robust analytical reporting all to help health
plans operate cost-effectively while managing revenue risk. About
Health Risk Partners Health Risk Partners (HRP), the Revenue
Integrity Division of Verisk Health, is a leading healthcare
technology firm and provider of risk adjustment services. The HRP
team has extensive experience working with federal and state
healthcare payment methodologies and transforming them into solid
business practices for Medicare and Medicaid health plans. HRP is
dedicated to helping its clients attain the highest levels of
compliance, profitability, and strategic planning. Verisk Health is
a subsidiary of Verisk Analytics (Nasdaq:VRSK). For more
information, visit www.healthriskpartners.com.
MyLife.com Launches Personal Relationship Manager for Android Mobile to Stay Connected to All Your Social Networks, All in One Place
Today, MyLife.com, announced the launch of the MyLife mobile
app for Android to help social media users stay connected across
their favorite social networks, and find important connections they
might not be able to find anywhere else. The MyLife mobile app is
now available in the Android market and provides the popular Whos
Searching for You service that allows users to identify when
someone views their profile or searches for them: The app
incorporates MyLifes newly launched Personal Relationship Manager
(PRM) service which is designed to complement popular social
networks and give users the ability to cross-manage all their
social networks from a single unified service. The app makes it
easier for people to stay connected to and share with their social
network contacts on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, with Google+
integration coming soon, plus find additional personal and work
connections of value. The average person belongs to more than 3
social networks and will have downloaded more than 83 apps this
year, said MyLife CEO, Jeff Tinsley. People are in needed of added
control and organization of their social feeds and their mobile
services. The MyLife mobile app will help users save valuable time
by bringing together their Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn feeds,
plus allows easy sharing to multiple services all in one place. The
MyLife mobile app is the latest innovation from the company that
has seen several successful launches already this year. Earlier
this year, MyLife launched its Personal Relationship Manager (PRM)
service to compliment and combine todays popular social networks in
one place. Earlier in the year, MyLife launched the ability to find
a broad range of needed connections, including Work Jobs and Local
Services and Deals verticals that utilize the companys famous Whos
Searching for You service to help users manage both personal and
business connections for the purpose of hiring, getting hired or
finding new business leads and deals. MyLife plans on spending $35
Million in 2012, starting with a nationwide television campaign to
promote the valuable new Personal Relationship Manager services.
The first commercials have started airing with the first available
for viewing here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1Yp20UoNQwfeature=youtu.be Also, a
video tour of the new mobile applications is available on YouTube
at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0KCrAnvMNgcontext=C2ef8aADOEgsToPDskIZrDLYrw8oAEsinl0agNiJ
About MyLife.com, Inc. Launched in 2002 by CEO Jeff Tinsley,
MyLife.com provides a unique Personal Relationship Manager (PRM)
service, enabling members find and maintain valuable personal and
work connections across multiple social networks, all in one place.
The average member has more than 3 profiles across multiple
services, plus multiple email accounts. MyLife helps complement
todays leading social network platforms and make them easily
manageable for users. MyLife lets users sort and manage these
profiles, connecting over 1.2 billion searchable profiles by
combining user-contributed data from over 60 million registered
members with social profiles and public records. MyLife is the only
social service that allows users to see who is searching for them.
MyLife.com is based in Los Angeles. For more, visit
www.MyLife.com.
app for Android to help social media users stay connected across
their favorite social networks, and find important connections they
might not be able to find anywhere else. The MyLife mobile app is
now available in the Android market and provides the popular Whos
Searching for You service that allows users to identify when
someone views their profile or searches for them: The app
incorporates MyLifes newly launched Personal Relationship Manager
(PRM) service which is designed to complement popular social
networks and give users the ability to cross-manage all their
social networks from a single unified service. The app makes it
easier for people to stay connected to and share with their social
network contacts on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, with Google+
integration coming soon, plus find additional personal and work
connections of value. The average person belongs to more than 3
social networks and will have downloaded more than 83 apps this
year, said MyLife CEO, Jeff Tinsley. People are in needed of added
control and organization of their social feeds and their mobile
services. The MyLife mobile app will help users save valuable time
by bringing together their Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn feeds,
plus allows easy sharing to multiple services all in one place. The
MyLife mobile app is the latest innovation from the company that
has seen several successful launches already this year. Earlier
this year, MyLife launched its Personal Relationship Manager (PRM)
service to compliment and combine todays popular social networks in
one place. Earlier in the year, MyLife launched the ability to find
a broad range of needed connections, including Work Jobs and Local
Services and Deals verticals that utilize the companys famous Whos
Searching for You service to help users manage both personal and
business connections for the purpose of hiring, getting hired or
finding new business leads and deals. MyLife plans on spending $35
Million in 2012, starting with a nationwide television campaign to
promote the valuable new Personal Relationship Manager services.
The first commercials have started airing with the first available
for viewing here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1Yp20UoNQwfeature=youtu.be Also, a
video tour of the new mobile applications is available on YouTube
at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0KCrAnvMNgcontext=C2ef8aADOEgsToPDskIZrDLYrw8oAEsinl0agNiJ
About MyLife.com, Inc. Launched in 2002 by CEO Jeff Tinsley,
MyLife.com provides a unique Personal Relationship Manager (PRM)
service, enabling members find and maintain valuable personal and
work connections across multiple social networks, all in one place.
The average member has more than 3 profiles across multiple
services, plus multiple email accounts. MyLife helps complement
todays leading social network platforms and make them easily
manageable for users. MyLife lets users sort and manage these
profiles, connecting over 1.2 billion searchable profiles by
combining user-contributed data from over 60 million registered
members with social profiles and public records. MyLife is the only
social service that allows users to see who is searching for them.
MyLife.com is based in Los Angeles. For more, visit
www.MyLife.com.
BloomNet Floriology Institute Gains AIFD Pathway Provider Design Education Certification
The American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) has
approved the BloomNet Floriology Institute as an AIFD Professional
Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE) Pathway Provider. BloomNet is the
floral industrys preferred wire service provider and one-stop
destination for innovative products and best-in-class services. The
BloomNet Floriology Institute, located in Jacksonville, Florida,
offers a wide range of courses, electives and forums to reinforce
and expand the floral design skills of Florists as well as enhance
their business practices. As an approved AIFD PFDE Pathway
Provider, Floriology Institute provides the educational curriculum
and testing Florists need to achieve the status of Certified Floral
Designer (CFD) and also become an Accredited Member of the American
Institute of Floral Designers. Education is the backbone of the
floral industry and the foundation for success as a retail Florist.
By continually embracing new design techniques and staying ahead of
the latest trends through ongoing education, Florists are better
able to express their talents as floral artisans and create the
finest and most exciting fresh floral gifts, said Mark Nance, AAF,
President of BloomNet. We are honored that Floriology Institute has
been named as an AIFD PFDE Pathway Provider, furthering BloomNets
commitment to helping Florists grow their businesses. The
Floriology Institute has announced its 2012 Design Course schedule,
which commences January 23, 2012 and continues through August 1,
2012. Course instructors include the industrys most talented,
experienced and knowledgeable floral design experts. Courses
feature creative, hands-on exploration of innovative floral design
techniques and principles in a state-of-the-art learning
environment. The 2012 Floriology Institute Design Course schedule
is as follows: January 23-25, 2012Advanced Wedding Trends
TechniquesInstructor: Jackie Lacey, AIFD, CFD, PFCI January 26-27,
2012Party EventsInstructor: Jackie Lacey, AIFD, CFD, PFCI March
19-21, 2012Contemporary/High-Style/European DesignInstructor:
Donald Yim, AIFD April 18-20, 2012Advanced SympathyInstructor:
Jackie Lacey, AIFD, CFD, PFCI June 11-15, 2012Basic Principles and
Elements of DesignInstructor: Jackie Lacey, AIFD, CFD, PFCI July
30-August 1, 2012Advanced Wedding Trends TechniquesInstructor:
Jackie Lacey, AIFD, CFD, PFCI Floriology Institute tuition for
BloomNet members for a 3-day design course is $449.99 U.S. and
$549.99 U.S. for non-members. Payments can be split into 3 month
payments on BloomNet clearinghouse statement or paid by a major
credit card. Tuition for a 5-day design course is $749.99 for
BloomNet members and $849.99 for non-members. Payments can be split
into 6 month payments on BloomNet clearinghouse statement. All
returning students receive a 25% off discount. Scholarships to
attend courses at Floriology Institute are available through state
associations. For more information about Floriology Institute or to
register, please call (516) 237-7973 or email
Floriology@bloomnet.net. Visit
www.mybloomnet.net/floriologyinstitute for a full schedule of
courses. About Floriology Institute As the premier, industry
accredited floral education center, Floriology Institute is
dedicated to building a foundation for excellence, supporting best
practices and enabling innovative approaches in floral design and
retail business practices that empower florists to reach their full
potential and allow their customers to recapture the joy and
expression of the language of flowers. The Floriology Institute is
located in Jacksonville, Florida and it offers an extensive and
diverse range of education courses to support florist needs. About
BloomNet BloomNet (www.mybloomnet.net or 1-800-BloomNet) is an
international wire service and a world class business solutions
provider offering quality products and diverse services to a select
network of professional retail Florists who utilize BloomNets
resources to grow their businesses profitably. Professional
Florists who are part of the BloomNet network can take advantage of
several key benefits including higher profitability on wire orders,
the highest published rebate in the industry with the easiest
rebate qualifications, lower membership costs, state-of-the-art
technology solutions, and a complete suite of value-added products
and services. BloomNet has established and maintains the industrys
most stringent business standards for participating Florists.
BloomNet, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM,
Inc.
approved the BloomNet Floriology Institute as an AIFD Professional
Floral Design Evaluation (PFDE) Pathway Provider. BloomNet is the
floral industrys preferred wire service provider and one-stop
destination for innovative products and best-in-class services. The
BloomNet Floriology Institute, located in Jacksonville, Florida,
offers a wide range of courses, electives and forums to reinforce
and expand the floral design skills of Florists as well as enhance
their business practices. As an approved AIFD PFDE Pathway
Provider, Floriology Institute provides the educational curriculum
and testing Florists need to achieve the status of Certified Floral
Designer (CFD) and also become an Accredited Member of the American
Institute of Floral Designers. Education is the backbone of the
floral industry and the foundation for success as a retail Florist.
By continually embracing new design techniques and staying ahead of
the latest trends through ongoing education, Florists are better
able to express their talents as floral artisans and create the
finest and most exciting fresh floral gifts, said Mark Nance, AAF,
President of BloomNet. We are honored that Floriology Institute has
been named as an AIFD PFDE Pathway Provider, furthering BloomNets
commitment to helping Florists grow their businesses. The
Floriology Institute has announced its 2012 Design Course schedule,
which commences January 23, 2012 and continues through August 1,
2012. Course instructors include the industrys most talented,
experienced and knowledgeable floral design experts. Courses
feature creative, hands-on exploration of innovative floral design
techniques and principles in a state-of-the-art learning
environment. The 2012 Floriology Institute Design Course schedule
is as follows: January 23-25, 2012Advanced Wedding Trends
TechniquesInstructor: Jackie Lacey, AIFD, CFD, PFCI January 26-27,
2012Party EventsInstructor: Jackie Lacey, AIFD, CFD, PFCI March
19-21, 2012Contemporary/High-Style/European DesignInstructor:
Donald Yim, AIFD April 18-20, 2012Advanced SympathyInstructor:
Jackie Lacey, AIFD, CFD, PFCI June 11-15, 2012Basic Principles and
Elements of DesignInstructor: Jackie Lacey, AIFD, CFD, PFCI July
30-August 1, 2012Advanced Wedding Trends TechniquesInstructor:
Jackie Lacey, AIFD, CFD, PFCI Floriology Institute tuition for
BloomNet members for a 3-day design course is $449.99 U.S. and
$549.99 U.S. for non-members. Payments can be split into 3 month
payments on BloomNet clearinghouse statement or paid by a major
credit card. Tuition for a 5-day design course is $749.99 for
BloomNet members and $849.99 for non-members. Payments can be split
into 6 month payments on BloomNet clearinghouse statement. All
returning students receive a 25% off discount. Scholarships to
attend courses at Floriology Institute are available through state
associations. For more information about Floriology Institute or to
register, please call (516) 237-7973 or email
Floriology@bloomnet.net. Visit
www.mybloomnet.net/floriologyinstitute for a full schedule of
courses. About Floriology Institute As the premier, industry
accredited floral education center, Floriology Institute is
dedicated to building a foundation for excellence, supporting best
practices and enabling innovative approaches in floral design and
retail business practices that empower florists to reach their full
potential and allow their customers to recapture the joy and
expression of the language of flowers. The Floriology Institute is
located in Jacksonville, Florida and it offers an extensive and
diverse range of education courses to support florist needs. About
BloomNet BloomNet (www.mybloomnet.net or 1-800-BloomNet) is an
international wire service and a world class business solutions
provider offering quality products and diverse services to a select
network of professional retail Florists who utilize BloomNets
resources to grow their businesses profitably. Professional
Florists who are part of the BloomNet network can take advantage of
several key benefits including higher profitability on wire orders,
the highest published rebate in the industry with the easiest
rebate qualifications, lower membership costs, state-of-the-art
technology solutions, and a complete suite of value-added products
and services. BloomNet has established and maintains the industrys
most stringent business standards for participating Florists.
BloomNet, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM,
Inc.
First General Bank Declared Cash Dividend
First General Bank, Rowland Heights, announced that its Board
of Directors declared a cash dividend of twenty cents per common
share, payable on January 5, 2012, to stockholders of record at the
close of business on December 21, 2011. This is the first dividend
payment in the Banks young history, noted President and Chief
Executive Officer Cliff Hsu. The strategic actions that we have
taken in the last several years, including focusing on growing
businesses we know and do best, operating at high efficiency and
the recent mergers, have produced great financial and operational
results for us, Hsu added, We are absolutely pleased. About First
General Bank First General Bank, founded in 2005, had total assets
of approximately $500 million as of December 31, 2011. First
General Bank is headquartered in Rowland Heights, California, with
branches in Arcadia, Irvine, Rosemead, Rowland Heights, and San
Gabriel, California. First General Bank focuses on personalized
service, combined with a full range of conventional and online core
consumer and commercial banking products and cash management
services for small to medium sized businesses and individuals
residing or doing business in southern California.
of Directors declared a cash dividend of twenty cents per common
share, payable on January 5, 2012, to stockholders of record at the
close of business on December 21, 2011. This is the first dividend
payment in the Banks young history, noted President and Chief
Executive Officer Cliff Hsu. The strategic actions that we have
taken in the last several years, including focusing on growing
businesses we know and do best, operating at high efficiency and
the recent mergers, have produced great financial and operational
results for us, Hsu added, We are absolutely pleased. About First
General Bank First General Bank, founded in 2005, had total assets
of approximately $500 million as of December 31, 2011. First
General Bank is headquartered in Rowland Heights, California, with
branches in Arcadia, Irvine, Rosemead, Rowland Heights, and San
Gabriel, California. First General Bank focuses on personalized
service, combined with a full range of conventional and online core
consumer and commercial banking products and cash management
services for small to medium sized businesses and individuals
residing or doing business in southern California.
Kayne Anderson Midstream/Energy Fund Provides Unaudited Balance Sheet Information and Announces Its Net Asset Value and Asset Coverage Ratios at December 31, 2011
Kayne Anderson Midstream/Energy Fund, Inc. (the Fund) (NYSE:
KMF) today provided a summary unaudited balance sheet and announced
its net asset value and asset coverage ratios under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as of December 31, 2011. As of
December 31, 2011, the Funds net assets were $591 million and its
net asset value per share was $27.29. As of December 31, 2011, the
Funds asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with respect to
senior securities representing indebtedness was 504% and the Funds
asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with respect to total
leverage (debt and preferred stock) was 411%. Kayne
Anderson Midstream/Energy Fund, Inc. Balance Sheet December 31,
2011 (Unaudited) (in millions)
Per Share Investments $ 789.7 $ 36.45 Cash 4.9 0.23 Deposits 0.2
0.01 Accrued income 2.8 0.13 Receivable for securities sold 2.4
0.11 Other assets 2.1 0.10 Total assets 802.1 37.03
Credit facility borrowings 40.0 1.85 Senior notes 115.0 5.31
Preferred stock 35.0 1.61 Total leverage 190.0
8.77 Distribution payable 9.0 0.42 Payable for
securities purchased 7.5 0.35 Other liabilities 4.4
0.20 Total liabilities 20.9 0.97 Net assets $ 591.2 $ 27.29
The Fund had 21.66 million common shares outstanding as of
December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, equity and debt
investments were 85% and 15%, respectively, of the Funds long-term
investments of $790 million. Long-term investments were comprised
of Midstream Companies (38%), MLPs and MLP Affiliates (39%), Other
Energy (5%), Other (3%) and Debt (15%). The Funds ten largest
holdings by issuer at December 31, 2011 were:
Units (in thousands)
Amounts ($ millions) Percent of Long-Term Investments 1. Kinder
Morgan Management, LLC (MLP Affiliate) 925 $72.6 9.2% 2. The
Williams Companies, Inc. (Midstream Company) 2,188 59.1 7.5% 3.
Kinder Morgan, Inc. (Midstream Company) 1,620 52.1 6.6% 4. El Paso
Corporation (Midstream Company) 1,331 35.4 4.5% 5. Enbridge Energy
Management, L.L.C. (MLP Affiliate) 955 33.2 4.2% 6. Buckeye
Partners, L.P. (Midstream MLP) 531 32.2 4.1% 7. Targa Resources
Corp. (Midstream Company) 693 28.2 3.6% 8. ONEOK, Inc. (Midstream
Company) 258 22.4 2.8% 9. OGE Energy Corp. (Other Energy) 388 22.0
2.8% 10. Teekay Offshore Partners, L.P. (Midstream Company) 734
19.3 2.4% The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 whose common stock is traded on the NYSE. The
Funds investment objective is to provide a high level of total
return with an emphasis on making quarterly cash distributions to
its stockholders by investing at least 80% of its total assets in
securities of companies in the Midstream/Energy Sector, consisting
of: (a) Midstream Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs), (b) Midstream
Companies, (c) Other MLPs and (d) Other Energy Companies. The Fund
anticipates that the majority of its investments will consist of
investments in Midstream MLPs and Midstream Companies. See Glossary
of Key Terms on page ii of the Prospectus for definitions of
certain key terms. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS: This press release contains "forward-looking
statements" as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws.
Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate,"
"anticipate," "project," "will" and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in
nature. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the
Funds historical experience and its present expectations or
projections indicated in any forward-looking statements. These
risks include, but are not limited to, changes in economic and
political conditions; regulatory and legal changes; MLP industry
risk; leverage risk; valuation risk; interest rate risk; tax risk;
and other risks discussed in the Funds filings with the SEC. You
should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date they are made. The Fund undertakes
no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements made herein. There is no assurance that the Funds
investment objective will be attained.
KMF) today provided a summary unaudited balance sheet and announced
its net asset value and asset coverage ratios under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as of December 31, 2011. As of
December 31, 2011, the Funds net assets were $591 million and its
net asset value per share was $27.29. As of December 31, 2011, the
Funds asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with respect to
senior securities representing indebtedness was 504% and the Funds
asset coverage ratio under the 1940 Act with respect to total
leverage (debt and preferred stock) was 411%. Kayne
Anderson Midstream/Energy Fund, Inc. Balance Sheet December 31,
2011 (Unaudited) (in millions)
Per Share Investments $ 789.7 $ 36.45 Cash 4.9 0.23 Deposits 0.2
0.01 Accrued income 2.8 0.13 Receivable for securities sold 2.4
0.11 Other assets 2.1 0.10 Total assets 802.1 37.03
Credit facility borrowings 40.0 1.85 Senior notes 115.0 5.31
Preferred stock 35.0 1.61 Total leverage 190.0
8.77 Distribution payable 9.0 0.42 Payable for
securities purchased 7.5 0.35 Other liabilities 4.4
0.20 Total liabilities 20.9 0.97 Net assets $ 591.2 $ 27.29
The Fund had 21.66 million common shares outstanding as of
December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, equity and debt
investments were 85% and 15%, respectively, of the Funds long-term
investments of $790 million. Long-term investments were comprised
of Midstream Companies (38%), MLPs and MLP Affiliates (39%), Other
Energy (5%), Other (3%) and Debt (15%). The Funds ten largest
holdings by issuer at December 31, 2011 were:
Units (in thousands)
Amounts ($ millions) Percent of Long-Term Investments 1. Kinder
Morgan Management, LLC (MLP Affiliate) 925 $72.6 9.2% 2. The
Williams Companies, Inc. (Midstream Company) 2,188 59.1 7.5% 3.
Kinder Morgan, Inc. (Midstream Company) 1,620 52.1 6.6% 4. El Paso
Corporation (Midstream Company) 1,331 35.4 4.5% 5. Enbridge Energy
Management, L.L.C. (MLP Affiliate) 955 33.2 4.2% 6. Buckeye
Partners, L.P. (Midstream MLP) 531 32.2 4.1% 7. Targa Resources
Corp. (Midstream Company) 693 28.2 3.6% 8. ONEOK, Inc. (Midstream
Company) 258 22.4 2.8% 9. OGE Energy Corp. (Other Energy) 388 22.0
2.8% 10. Teekay Offshore Partners, L.P. (Midstream Company) 734
19.3 2.4% The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 whose common stock is traded on the NYSE. The
Funds investment objective is to provide a high level of total
return with an emphasis on making quarterly cash distributions to
its stockholders by investing at least 80% of its total assets in
securities of companies in the Midstream/Energy Sector, consisting
of: (a) Midstream Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs), (b) Midstream
Companies, (c) Other MLPs and (d) Other Energy Companies. The Fund
anticipates that the majority of its investments will consist of
investments in Midstream MLPs and Midstream Companies. See Glossary
of Key Terms on page ii of the Prospectus for definitions of
certain key terms. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS: This press release contains "forward-looking
statements" as defined under the U.S. federal securities laws.
Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate,"
"anticipate," "project," "will" and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in
nature. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the
Funds historical experience and its present expectations or
projections indicated in any forward-looking statements. These
risks include, but are not limited to, changes in economic and
political conditions; regulatory and legal changes; MLP industry
risk; leverage risk; valuation risk; interest rate risk; tax risk;
and other risks discussed in the Funds filings with the SEC. You
should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date they are made. The Fund undertakes
no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements made herein. There is no assurance that the Funds
investment objective will be attained.
The Best Non-Airline Credit Card for Travel Rewards?
A reader asks about switching from an airline-specific credit
card to American Express. Tim Winship replies.
card to American Express. Tim Winship replies.
How Can Miles Be Transferred Between Spouses?
Our reader's husband is no longer able to travel. Can he
transfer his United miles to his wife's account? Tim Winship
suggests a better way.
transfer his United miles to his wife's account? Tim Winship
suggests a better way.
Can I Just Pay a Travel Agent to Book My Award Trip?
Finding frequent flyer award seats is a hassle. It'll cost
you, but the fee charged by a travel agent might be worth
it.
you, but the fee charged by a travel agent might be worth
it.
Do Rental Car Companies Charge Extra for Frequent Flyer Miles?
Tim Winship explains that it's standard practice for rental
car companies to charge for frequent flyer miles, and advises it
may not be worth the expense.
car companies to charge for frequent flyer miles, and advises it
may not be worth the expense.
Does American Discriminate Against Families?
A reader found himself stymied when trying to book a free
trip for himself and his wife, and wonders if American has it in
for families. Tim Winship offers his take.
trip for himself and his wife, and wonders if American has it in
for families. Tim Winship offers his take.
No United Miles for My Singapore Airlines Flights?
Singapore is a member of United's loyalty program, but Nancy
was denied United miles for her Singapore flights. It's not a new
problem, according to Tim Winship.
was denied United miles for her Singapore flights. It's not a new
problem, according to Tim Winship.
Which Credit Card Will Maximize My Miles?
Our reader is poised to buy big-ticket items, and wants to
maximize her miles in the process. Tim Winship outlines her
options.
maximize her miles in the process. Tim Winship outlines her
options.
Can I Get to Hawaii Using Frequent Flyer Miles?
Is a free first-class ticket to Hawaii a realistic
expectation? Tim Winship shares tips and tricks for successfully
booking award trips.
expectation? Tim Winship shares tips and tricks for successfully
booking award trips.
Book Flights
Book Flights online has made flight booking quite easy
nowadays. The flyers can also book flights directly from online
booking engine along with hotel and custom trip booking all at the
same place. Book Flights now and save yourself the hassle of travel
agents or standing in long queues.
nowadays. The flyers can also book flights directly from online
booking engine along with hotel and custom trip booking all at the
same place. Book Flights now and save yourself the hassle of travel
agents or standing in long queues.
Delta Airlines
Delta Air lines is based in Atlanta, Georgia. One of the most
important American airlines, Delta air lines is also the second
largest airline of the world in terms of passenger carried, third
largest in terms of revenue passenger and sixth in terms of
operating revenues.
important American airlines, Delta air lines is also the second
largest airline of the world in terms of passenger carried, third
largest in terms of revenue passenger and sixth in terms of
operating revenues.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Attorney General Schmidt to honor, remember crime victims
TOPEKA (December 12, 2011) Kansas Attorney General Derek
Schmidt announced his office, in cooperation with the Kansas
Organization for Victim Assistance, will host a reception this week
in honor and remembrance of crime victims. The holiday season can
be a difficult time for those who have lost loved ones, Schmidt
said. It can be especially difficult for the family and friends of
crime victims. This is a way we can pay tribute to their memories
during this season. The Topeka reception is scheduled for 2 p.m. on
December 14 at Memorial Hall, 120 SW 10th Ave. Friends and family
members of crime victims are invited to attend and to bring an
ornament for an Angel Tree in honor of their loved ones. The public
is also invited to attend. A reception in Wichita was held last
week. The Victims Services Division of the Attorney Generals Office
is charged with coordinating statewide victim assistance programs
and administering grants and education programs.
Schmidt announced his office, in cooperation with the Kansas
Organization for Victim Assistance, will host a reception this week
in honor and remembrance of crime victims. The holiday season can
be a difficult time for those who have lost loved ones, Schmidt
said. It can be especially difficult for the family and friends of
crime victims. This is a way we can pay tribute to their memories
during this season. The Topeka reception is scheduled for 2 p.m. on
December 14 at Memorial Hall, 120 SW 10th Ave. Friends and family
members of crime victims are invited to attend and to bring an
ornament for an Angel Tree in honor of their loved ones. The public
is also invited to attend. A reception in Wichita was held last
week. The Victims Services Division of the Attorney Generals Office
is charged with coordinating statewide victim assistance programs
and administering grants and education programs.
Attorney General shuts down deceptive paving business
TOPEKA (December 2, 2011) A Missouripavingcompany is banned
from doing business in Kansas after violating the Kansas Consumer
Protection Act, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced
today. The company, Quality Road Construction, and individuals Gary
Leroy Haynes, Todd Haynes and Eddie Jones were ordered not to
solicit business in Kansas and to refund $19,500 to Kansans who
lost money to their operation. Judge Kim Cudney entered the final
judgment in Cloud County District Court this week, following an
investigation by the Attorney Generals Consumer Protection
Division. Every summer, we find groups of deceptive and
illegitimate contractors trying to take advantage of Kansas
consumers, Schmidt said. Finding and shutting down these fraudulent
groups is important to protecting Kansans pocketbooks. The
defendants, operating as Quality Road Construction, allegedly
defrauded at least three Kansas consumers by going door-to-door in
Northeast and North Central Kansas last summer, offering to pave
driveways. The pavers did not disclose all of their charges at the
time of the sale and failed to advise the consumers of their rights
under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. Schmidt reminded
consumers that when hiring construction workers, it is best to deal
with reputable, local companies. Any consumers who feel they may
have been victims of deceptive or illegitimate contractors are
encouraged to file a report with the Attorney Generals Office by
calling1-800-432-2310or visitingwww.ksag.org.
from doing business in Kansas after violating the Kansas Consumer
Protection Act, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced
today. The company, Quality Road Construction, and individuals Gary
Leroy Haynes, Todd Haynes and Eddie Jones were ordered not to
solicit business in Kansas and to refund $19,500 to Kansans who
lost money to their operation. Judge Kim Cudney entered the final
judgment in Cloud County District Court this week, following an
investigation by the Attorney Generals Consumer Protection
Division. Every summer, we find groups of deceptive and
illegitimate contractors trying to take advantage of Kansas
consumers, Schmidt said. Finding and shutting down these fraudulent
groups is important to protecting Kansans pocketbooks. The
defendants, operating as Quality Road Construction, allegedly
defrauded at least three Kansas consumers by going door-to-door in
Northeast and North Central Kansas last summer, offering to pave
driveways. The pavers did not disclose all of their charges at the
time of the sale and failed to advise the consumers of their rights
under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. Schmidt reminded
consumers that when hiring construction workers, it is best to deal
with reputable, local companies. Any consumers who feel they may
have been victims of deceptive or illegitimate contractors are
encouraged to file a report with the Attorney Generals Office by
calling1-800-432-2310or visitingwww.ksag.org.
Governor, Attorney General Say Federal Proposal Bad for Kansas Agriculture
U.S. Department of Labor proposed child labor rule would
limit learning opportunities TOPEKA -(December 1, 2011) -Kansas
GovernorSam Brownback and Attorney General Derek Schmidt today
submitted a letter urging the U.S. Department of Labor to revise
its newly proposed rule pertaining to child labor laws on Kansas
family farms. They are concerned the rule as written would have a
negative effect on youth seeking to work in Kansas agriculture the
states largest industry. Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Dale
Rodman, Secretary of Commerce Pat George and Secretary of Labor
Karin Brownlee voiced similar concerns in a separate letter. Among
other restrictions, the proposed rule would prohibit 14- and
15-year-old farm workers from operating almost any power-driven
equipment, including farm tractors and lawn mowers, regardless of
safety training completed, and working with certain types of
animals. The learning opportunities provided by working in
agriculture are second to none, Gov. Brownback said. Spending time
of a farm or ranch teaches young people the value of hard work and
instills in them a respect for land and animals. Unfortunately,
this proposed rule reduces the potential for young people to take
advantage of safe, educational and legal work opportunities in
agriculture. The proposed rule would also have a significant
negative effect on the education and leadership experiences offered
through 4-H, FFA and agricultural education. Brownback and Schmidt
say they both benefited from spending time working on family
members farms. However, the proposed rule threatens this Kansas
tradition. This proposed regulation is a one-size-fits-all
bureaucratic assault on rural culture, Attorney General Schmidt
said. If this had been the law when I was a kid working on my
grandpa's farm, a formative part of my childhood would have been
illegal. In addition to the short-term benefits of farm jobs for
youth, training is especially important for young people who hope
to develop a career owning or managing a farm or ranch, Brownback
and Schmidt stated. This country was built on agriculture and the
strength of the country still depends on the agriculture industry,
Secretary Rodman said. This regulation would have a detrimental
effect on this critical industry. Brownback, Schmidt, Rodman,
George and Brownlee encouraged the U.S. Department of Labor to
revise the proposed rule taking into account the structure of farms
today and the value of traditional on-farm training for
youth.
limit learning opportunities TOPEKA -(December 1, 2011) -Kansas
GovernorSam Brownback and Attorney General Derek Schmidt today
submitted a letter urging the U.S. Department of Labor to revise
its newly proposed rule pertaining to child labor laws on Kansas
family farms. They are concerned the rule as written would have a
negative effect on youth seeking to work in Kansas agriculture the
states largest industry. Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Dale
Rodman, Secretary of Commerce Pat George and Secretary of Labor
Karin Brownlee voiced similar concerns in a separate letter. Among
other restrictions, the proposed rule would prohibit 14- and
15-year-old farm workers from operating almost any power-driven
equipment, including farm tractors and lawn mowers, regardless of
safety training completed, and working with certain types of
animals. The learning opportunities provided by working in
agriculture are second to none, Gov. Brownback said. Spending time
of a farm or ranch teaches young people the value of hard work and
instills in them a respect for land and animals. Unfortunately,
this proposed rule reduces the potential for young people to take
advantage of safe, educational and legal work opportunities in
agriculture. The proposed rule would also have a significant
negative effect on the education and leadership experiences offered
through 4-H, FFA and agricultural education. Brownback and Schmidt
say they both benefited from spending time working on family
members farms. However, the proposed rule threatens this Kansas
tradition. This proposed regulation is a one-size-fits-all
bureaucratic assault on rural culture, Attorney General Schmidt
said. If this had been the law when I was a kid working on my
grandpa's farm, a formative part of my childhood would have been
illegal. In addition to the short-term benefits of farm jobs for
youth, training is especially important for young people who hope
to develop a career owning or managing a farm or ranch, Brownback
and Schmidt stated. This country was built on agriculture and the
strength of the country still depends on the agriculture industry,
Secretary Rodman said. This regulation would have a detrimental
effect on this critical industry. Brownback, Schmidt, Rodman,
George and Brownlee encouraged the U.S. Department of Labor to
revise the proposed rule taking into account the structure of farms
today and the value of traditional on-farm training for
youth.
Attorney General Schmidt files murder charges in Decatur County
OBERLIN (October 18, 2011) Kansas Attorney General Derek
Schmidt today filed first-degree murder charges against a Decatur
County man in connection with the death of another man in the
county last weekend. Dylan Robert Coryell, Jr., age 24, of Oberlin,
was charged with first-degree premeditated murder and an
alternative count of first-degree felony murder in connection with
the death of Corey Ryan Cook, age 22, also of Oberlin. Coryell was
also charged with aggravated battery and aggravated burglary. Upon
the request of Decatur County Attorney Steven Hirsch, the Attorney
Generals Office will prosecute the case. Nicole Romine, assistant
attorney general posted in Goodland, will lead the prosecution
team. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation worked with local law
enforcement officers from the Oberlin Police Department and Decatur
County Sheriffs Office in the investigation. Coryell was arrested
on Sunday, October 16, and now is in custody of the Decatur County
Sheriffs Office. Bond has been set at $500,000 cash or surety. All
media inquiries should be directed to the Attorney Generals Office.
Coryell is presumed innocent unless and until the allegations
against him are proved beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
His next court appearance is scheduled for October 28 at 1:30
p.m.
Schmidt today filed first-degree murder charges against a Decatur
County man in connection with the death of another man in the
county last weekend. Dylan Robert Coryell, Jr., age 24, of Oberlin,
was charged with first-degree premeditated murder and an
alternative count of first-degree felony murder in connection with
the death of Corey Ryan Cook, age 22, also of Oberlin. Coryell was
also charged with aggravated battery and aggravated burglary. Upon
the request of Decatur County Attorney Steven Hirsch, the Attorney
Generals Office will prosecute the case. Nicole Romine, assistant
attorney general posted in Goodland, will lead the prosecution
team. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation worked with local law
enforcement officers from the Oberlin Police Department and Decatur
County Sheriffs Office in the investigation. Coryell was arrested
on Sunday, October 16, and now is in custody of the Decatur County
Sheriffs Office. Bond has been set at $500,000 cash or surety. All
media inquiries should be directed to the Attorney Generals Office.
Coryell is presumed innocent unless and until the allegations
against him are proved beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
His next court appearance is scheduled for October 28 at 1:30
p.m.
Former Chase County Treasurer sentenced for theft
COTTONWOOD FALLS (November 15, 2011) A former Chase County
Treasurer was sentenced yesterday to 12 months of probation and a
suspended sentence of 12 months in the Chase County jail after
pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts of theft, Kansas Attorney
General Derek Schmidt announced. Sondra Louise Butter, 34, of
Cottonwood Falls was originally charged with four counts of theft
by deception for stealing less than $1,000 per year over a
four-year period spanning from 2006-2009. As part of a plea
agreement, Butter pled guilty to two of the charges and the other
two charges were dismissed. Butter agreed to pay Chase County
$3,667.10, the amount of money she stole while Treasurer. Butter
was sentenced by Judge Jeffry J. Larson of the 5thJudicial
District. Assistant Attorneys General Steven Karrer and Andrew
Bauch and Chase County Attorney Bill North prosecuted the
case.
Treasurer was sentenced yesterday to 12 months of probation and a
suspended sentence of 12 months in the Chase County jail after
pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts of theft, Kansas Attorney
General Derek Schmidt announced. Sondra Louise Butter, 34, of
Cottonwood Falls was originally charged with four counts of theft
by deception for stealing less than $1,000 per year over a
four-year period spanning from 2006-2009. As part of a plea
agreement, Butter pled guilty to two of the charges and the other
two charges were dismissed. Butter agreed to pay Chase County
$3,667.10, the amount of money she stole while Treasurer. Butter
was sentenced by Judge Jeffry J. Larson of the 5thJudicial
District. Assistant Attorneys General Steven Karrer and Andrew
Bauch and Chase County Attorney Bill North prosecuted the
case.
Consumer Alert: Attorney General, Lottery Officials warn of foreign lottery scams
The Attorney Generals Office and Kansas Lottery have received
an increasing number of complaints regarding foreign lotteries in
the past few days, and Kansans should be aware that these are
scams.
an increasing number of complaints regarding foreign lotteries in
the past few days, and Kansans should be aware that these are
scams.
Attorney General Schmidt opposes allowing automated calls to cell phones
TOPEKA (December 13, 2011) Kansas Attorney General Derek
Schmidt recently joined attorneys general from 47 other states and
six territories in asking Congress to reject proposed legislation
to allow automated marketing calls to mobile phones. In the letter,
the attorneys general expressed concerns for consumers privacy if
the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011 (H.R. 3035) were to be
enacted. The attorneys general were also concerned the proposal
could undermine stricter state telemarketing laws. The proposal
would amend the Communications Act of 1934 and allow automated
marketing calls to be placed to consumers cell phones. H.R. 3035
would change the law and undermine federal and state efforts to
shield consumers from a flood of solicitation, marketing, debt
collection and other unwanted calls and texts to their cell phones,
the attorneys general wrote. In the process, H.R. 3035 also would
shift the cost of these calls such as debt collection and marketing
calls to consumers, placing a significant burden on low income
consumers. Furthermore, H.R. 3035 will create obstacles to
effective enforcement of state consumer protection laws. The bill
is currently under consideration in the U.S. House Committee on
Energy and Commerce. A hearing on the bill was held before the
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology last month.
Schmidt recently joined attorneys general from 47 other states and
six territories in asking Congress to reject proposed legislation
to allow automated marketing calls to mobile phones. In the letter,
the attorneys general expressed concerns for consumers privacy if
the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011 (H.R. 3035) were to be
enacted. The attorneys general were also concerned the proposal
could undermine stricter state telemarketing laws. The proposal
would amend the Communications Act of 1934 and allow automated
marketing calls to be placed to consumers cell phones. H.R. 3035
would change the law and undermine federal and state efforts to
shield consumers from a flood of solicitation, marketing, debt
collection and other unwanted calls and texts to their cell phones,
the attorneys general wrote. In the process, H.R. 3035 also would
shift the cost of these calls such as debt collection and marketing
calls to consumers, placing a significant burden on low income
consumers. Furthermore, H.R. 3035 will create obstacles to
effective enforcement of state consumer protection laws. The bill
is currently under consideration in the U.S. House Committee on
Energy and Commerce. A hearing on the bill was held before the
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology last month.
Federal appeals court blocks EPA air regulation
TOPEKA (December 30, 2011) A federal appeals court has
temporarily blocked implementation of a new Environmental
Protection Agency regulation that would threaten the Kansas
electrical supply, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced
today. The United States Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit today granted a stay of the Cross-State Air
Pollution Rule, which was scheduled to take effect Sunday. Kansas,
which filed a lawsuit against EPA in September, had asked the Court
to block implementation of the new regulation while the Court hears
arguments about it. That request was granted today. Todays ruling
is a big win for Kansans concerned about utility bills, Schmidt
said. Blocking implementation of this regulation will prevent cost
increases to energy consumers and will ensure our energy suppliers
can continue providing reliable service to Kansans. With the
regulation on hold pending the outcome of the lawsuit, the Court
has set oral arguments in the lawsuit for April 2012. EPA says the
new emissions limits on power plants in Kansas would ease
air-quality problems in downwind states to the northeast. Kansas
continues to dispute the EPAs analysis of Kansas emission levels,
which overestimates the states contribution to downwind air quality
problems. Kansas also argues that the new regulation will
needlessly add millions of dollars of cost to Kansas utilities,
which would then be passed through to Kansas consumers in the form
of higher electricity rates. The new regulations also would force
utilities to divert resources from investments in their existing
long-term pollution control plans. Schmidt said his office will
continue to fight to have these regulations permanently overturned
by the Court.
temporarily blocked implementation of a new Environmental
Protection Agency regulation that would threaten the Kansas
electrical supply, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced
today. The United States Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit today granted a stay of the Cross-State Air
Pollution Rule, which was scheduled to take effect Sunday. Kansas,
which filed a lawsuit against EPA in September, had asked the Court
to block implementation of the new regulation while the Court hears
arguments about it. That request was granted today. Todays ruling
is a big win for Kansans concerned about utility bills, Schmidt
said. Blocking implementation of this regulation will prevent cost
increases to energy consumers and will ensure our energy suppliers
can continue providing reliable service to Kansans. With the
regulation on hold pending the outcome of the lawsuit, the Court
has set oral arguments in the lawsuit for April 2012. EPA says the
new emissions limits on power plants in Kansas would ease
air-quality problems in downwind states to the northeast. Kansas
continues to dispute the EPAs analysis of Kansas emission levels,
which overestimates the states contribution to downwind air quality
problems. Kansas also argues that the new regulation will
needlessly add millions of dollars of cost to Kansas utilities,
which would then be passed through to Kansas consumers in the form
of higher electricity rates. The new regulations also would force
utilities to divert resources from investments in their existing
long-term pollution control plans. Schmidt said his office will
continue to fight to have these regulations permanently overturned
by the Court.
Attorney General Schmidt: Municipal bond settlements return money to state, local entities
TOPEKA (December 28, 2011) Kansas Attorney General Derek
Schmidt today announced settlements with Wachovia and GE Funding
Capital Market Services that are expected to return more than
$250,000 to a state agency, municipalities and nonprofit
organizations. The settlements resulted from an investigation by
several states and federal agencies. The ongoing nationwide
investigation is looking into allegations of anticompetitive and
fraudulent conduct in the municipal bond derivative industry. These
settlements will return funds to Kansas municipalities and
nonprofit organizations harmed by this conduct, Schmidt said. We
are continuing to work with our counterparts in other states to
investigate other companies that may have engaged in these unfair
business practices. GE Funding has agreed to pay $30 million in
restitution to affected state agencies, municipalities, school
districts and not-for-profit entities nationwide that entered into
municipal derivative contracts with GE Funding or its subsidiaries
Trinity Funding Company, LLC, and Trinity Plus Funding Company,
LLC, between 1998 and 2006. It is anticipated that $208,000 of that
amount will be returned to Kansas entities harmed by the companys
practices. A large portion of the Kansas funds will be returned to
the Kansas Development Finance Authority. KDFA facilitates
long-term financing for capital projects and programs, including
healthcare, education, and housing, via the issuance of taxable and
tax-exempt bonds or other securities. KDFA is the only
multi-purpose, state-level finance authority serving Kansas. The
Wachovia settlement will return $54.5 million to state agencies,
municipalities, school districts and not-for-profit entities
nationwide that entered into municipal derivative contracts with
Wachovia between 2001 and 2005. An estimated $58,000 of that amount
will be returned to Kansas entities. Once all eligible entities
have been identified, those municipalities and non-profit agencies
should be notified by the settlement administrator in the coming
months. Municipal bond derivatives are contracts used by tax-exempt
issuers to reinvest bond proceeds until the funds are needed, or to
hedge interest-rate risk. In April 2008, the states began
investigating allegations that some financial institutions engaged
in various schemes to rig bids and commit other deceptive, unfair
and fraudulent conduct in the bond derivatives market. The
investigation revealed improper conduct involving individuals at
several financial institutions and certain brokers with whom they
had working relationships. The wrongful conduct deprived bond
issuers of a competitive, transparent marketplace. As a result,
states, local governments and not-for-profit entities entered into
municipal derivatives contracts on less advantageous terms than
they would have otherwise, thereby adding costs to taxpayers. Six
settlements have been reached since the start of this
investigation, including five this year.
Schmidt today announced settlements with Wachovia and GE Funding
Capital Market Services that are expected to return more than
$250,000 to a state agency, municipalities and nonprofit
organizations. The settlements resulted from an investigation by
several states and federal agencies. The ongoing nationwide
investigation is looking into allegations of anticompetitive and
fraudulent conduct in the municipal bond derivative industry. These
settlements will return funds to Kansas municipalities and
nonprofit organizations harmed by this conduct, Schmidt said. We
are continuing to work with our counterparts in other states to
investigate other companies that may have engaged in these unfair
business practices. GE Funding has agreed to pay $30 million in
restitution to affected state agencies, municipalities, school
districts and not-for-profit entities nationwide that entered into
municipal derivative contracts with GE Funding or its subsidiaries
Trinity Funding Company, LLC, and Trinity Plus Funding Company,
LLC, between 1998 and 2006. It is anticipated that $208,000 of that
amount will be returned to Kansas entities harmed by the companys
practices. A large portion of the Kansas funds will be returned to
the Kansas Development Finance Authority. KDFA facilitates
long-term financing for capital projects and programs, including
healthcare, education, and housing, via the issuance of taxable and
tax-exempt bonds or other securities. KDFA is the only
multi-purpose, state-level finance authority serving Kansas. The
Wachovia settlement will return $54.5 million to state agencies,
municipalities, school districts and not-for-profit entities
nationwide that entered into municipal derivative contracts with
Wachovia between 2001 and 2005. An estimated $58,000 of that amount
will be returned to Kansas entities. Once all eligible entities
have been identified, those municipalities and non-profit agencies
should be notified by the settlement administrator in the coming
months. Municipal bond derivatives are contracts used by tax-exempt
issuers to reinvest bond proceeds until the funds are needed, or to
hedge interest-rate risk. In April 2008, the states began
investigating allegations that some financial institutions engaged
in various schemes to rig bids and commit other deceptive, unfair
and fraudulent conduct in the bond derivatives market. The
investigation revealed improper conduct involving individuals at
several financial institutions and certain brokers with whom they
had working relationships. The wrongful conduct deprived bond
issuers of a competitive, transparent marketplace. As a result,
states, local governments and not-for-profit entities entered into
municipal derivatives contracts on less advantageous terms than
they would have otherwise, thereby adding costs to taxpayers. Six
settlements have been reached since the start of this
investigation, including five this year.
Attorney General releases racial profiling model policy for law enforcement
TOPEKA (December 29, 2011) Kansas law enforcement agencies
now have available for their use a Model Policy on Racial and Other
Bias-Based Policing, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt
announced today. The Attorney Generals Office developed the model
policy to assist local law enforcement officials in adopting their
own policies to comply with a law passed by the legislature earlier
this year. This model policy will help our Kansas law enforcement
agencies be better prepared to address racial and other bias-based
policing concerns, Schmidt said. Having policies in place will help
communities across Kansas understand the efforts to eliminate bias
in the enforcement of our laws. The law enacted earlier this year
shifts responsibility for receiving citizen complaints that allege
racial or other bias-based policing from the Kansas Human Rights
Commission to the Attorney Generals Office. The model policy and an
accompanying implementation guide were made available today on the
attorney generals website at www.ksag.org.
now have available for their use a Model Policy on Racial and Other
Bias-Based Policing, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt
announced today. The Attorney Generals Office developed the model
policy to assist local law enforcement officials in adopting their
own policies to comply with a law passed by the legislature earlier
this year. This model policy will help our Kansas law enforcement
agencies be better prepared to address racial and other bias-based
policing concerns, Schmidt said. Having policies in place will help
communities across Kansas understand the efforts to eliminate bias
in the enforcement of our laws. The law enacted earlier this year
shifts responsibility for receiving citizen complaints that allege
racial or other bias-based policing from the Kansas Human Rights
Commission to the Attorney Generals Office. The model policy and an
accompanying implementation guide were made available today on the
attorney generals website at www.ksag.org.
State Child Death Review Board releases annual report
TOPEKA (November 10, 2011) The Kansas State Child Death
Review Board released its annual report, analyzing statistics of
the deaths of children age 17 and younger in the year 2009. The
death of a child is always tragic, Kansas Attorney General Derek
Schmidt said. I appreciate the work of the State Child Death Review
Board in compiling this report so we can understand the trends and
focus resources where they are most needed to keep our children
safe. In 2009, 449 Kansas children died. This represents an 11
percent decline in deaths from 2008. Natural deaths remained the
cause in the majority of the fatalities, accounting for 321 of the
total cases. Of the natural deaths, 58 percent were infants younger
than 29 days. Prematurity and congenital conditions accounted for a
majority of those deaths. Fatalities from motor vehicle crashes
fell to 38 the lowest number since the Board began keeping
statistics and a 25 percent decrease from 2008. Suicide cases also
continued to drop from previous years, with eight in 2009. Homicide
deaths increased slightly from 26 in 2008 to 29 in 2009. The Board
is a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency volunteer board organized
within the Attorney Generals Office to examine trends and patterns
that identify risk factors in the deaths of children, from birth
through 17 years of age. The board is chaired by Assistant Attorney
General Christine Ladner. The report can be downloaded from the
Attorney Generals website atwww.ksag.org/page/child-safety.
Review Board released its annual report, analyzing statistics of
the deaths of children age 17 and younger in the year 2009. The
death of a child is always tragic, Kansas Attorney General Derek
Schmidt said. I appreciate the work of the State Child Death Review
Board in compiling this report so we can understand the trends and
focus resources where they are most needed to keep our children
safe. In 2009, 449 Kansas children died. This represents an 11
percent decline in deaths from 2008. Natural deaths remained the
cause in the majority of the fatalities, accounting for 321 of the
total cases. Of the natural deaths, 58 percent were infants younger
than 29 days. Prematurity and congenital conditions accounted for a
majority of those deaths. Fatalities from motor vehicle crashes
fell to 38 the lowest number since the Board began keeping
statistics and a 25 percent decrease from 2008. Suicide cases also
continued to drop from previous years, with eight in 2009. Homicide
deaths increased slightly from 26 in 2008 to 29 in 2009. The Board
is a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency volunteer board organized
within the Attorney Generals Office to examine trends and patterns
that identify risk factors in the deaths of children, from birth
through 17 years of age. The board is chaired by Assistant Attorney
General Christine Ladner. The report can be downloaded from the
Attorney Generals website atwww.ksag.org/page/child-safety.
Attorney General Schmidt: Settlement protects consumer privacy
TOPEKA (November 29, 2011) A company accused of leaving
thousands of sensitive employees records in an open dumpster in a
Wichita alley will pay $200,000 to the state and take steps to
protect employee privacy in the future, Kansas Attorney General
Derek Schmidt announced today. Schmidt entered into a settlement
this week with the management corporation for Lone Star Steakhouse,
known as LS Management, Inc. The Attorney Generals office alleged
that on or about March 21, 2011, the company threw thousands of
employee files containing confidential employee records into
unsecured dumpsters in an alley in Wichita and that the improper
disposal violated state and federal privacy laws. The dumpsters
were either picked up and taken to a recycling company or left
unsecured overnight. Many of the files contained employee records
such as credit reports, social security numbers, addresses, phone
numbers and other personal identifying information. Companies that
collect sensitive personal information have a legal duty to keep
that information secure and to dispose of it properly, Schmidt
said. Dumping records in an open dumpster in an alley does not
satisfy that legal duty. Schmidt said the settlement, which was
executed this week, will protect employees by requiring the company
to take steps to prevent future privacy law violations. The
Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney Generals office
negotiated the settlement, which is the largest of its kind in
Kansas history.
thousands of sensitive employees records in an open dumpster in a
Wichita alley will pay $200,000 to the state and take steps to
protect employee privacy in the future, Kansas Attorney General
Derek Schmidt announced today. Schmidt entered into a settlement
this week with the management corporation for Lone Star Steakhouse,
known as LS Management, Inc. The Attorney Generals office alleged
that on or about March 21, 2011, the company threw thousands of
employee files containing confidential employee records into
unsecured dumpsters in an alley in Wichita and that the improper
disposal violated state and federal privacy laws. The dumpsters
were either picked up and taken to a recycling company or left
unsecured overnight. Many of the files contained employee records
such as credit reports, social security numbers, addresses, phone
numbers and other personal identifying information. Companies that
collect sensitive personal information have a legal duty to keep
that information secure and to dispose of it properly, Schmidt
said. Dumping records in an open dumpster in an alley does not
satisfy that legal duty. Schmidt said the settlement, which was
executed this week, will protect employees by requiring the company
to take steps to prevent future privacy law violations. The
Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney Generals office
negotiated the settlement, which is the largest of its kind in
Kansas history.
Kansas joins in legal defense of Stolen Valor Act
TOPEKA (December 16, 2011) Kansas Attorney General Derek
Schmidt has asked the United States Supreme Court to uphold a
federal law that makes it a crime to falsely claim to have received
military awards.
Schmidt has asked the United States Supreme Court to uphold a
federal law that makes it a crime to falsely claim to have received
military awards.
Federal court strikes down California air-quality law
Decision preserves market for Kansas ethanol TOPEKA (December
30, 2011) A federal court has agreed with Kansas that a California
law favoring California-produced ethanol over that manufactured in
the Midwest is unconstitutional, Kansas Attorney General Derek
Schmidt announced today. In an order entered yesterday, the United
States District Court for the Eastern District of California barred
California from enforcing its state-based Low Carbon Fuel
Standards. In March, Kansas and five other Midwestern states had
filed a brief asking the court to block the California law because
it favored use of California-produced ethanol over that produced in
the Midwest in violation of the Commerce Clause of the United
States Constitution. This is good news for Kansas ethanol producers
and for our states farmers who sell grain to them, Schmidt said. It
means that the California market remains open to Kansas ethanol,
and it means that Kansas ethanol can continue to be part of the
solution to air-quality problems on the west coast. Schmidt joined
with attorneys general from Nebraska, Michigan, Missouri, North
Dakota and South Dakota in asking the Court to block the California
law because it discriminated against the use of ethanol produced in
the Midwest without any lawful basis for doing so. Yesterday, the
court agreed. This Court finds that the California fuel standard
impermissibly discriminates against out-of-state corn ethanol and
impermissibly regulates extraterritorially in violation of the
dormant Commerce Clause and its jurisprudence, the Court wrote in
its opinion. Schmidt said he is encouraged by the Courts decision
and believes it will stand up on appeal. If the State of California
decides to appeal the ruling, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
based in San Francisco would have jurisdiction to hear the matter.
The case is Rocky Mountain Farmers Union v. Goldstene.
30, 2011) A federal court has agreed with Kansas that a California
law favoring California-produced ethanol over that manufactured in
the Midwest is unconstitutional, Kansas Attorney General Derek
Schmidt announced today. In an order entered yesterday, the United
States District Court for the Eastern District of California barred
California from enforcing its state-based Low Carbon Fuel
Standards. In March, Kansas and five other Midwestern states had
filed a brief asking the court to block the California law because
it favored use of California-produced ethanol over that produced in
the Midwest in violation of the Commerce Clause of the United
States Constitution. This is good news for Kansas ethanol producers
and for our states farmers who sell grain to them, Schmidt said. It
means that the California market remains open to Kansas ethanol,
and it means that Kansas ethanol can continue to be part of the
solution to air-quality problems on the west coast. Schmidt joined
with attorneys general from Nebraska, Michigan, Missouri, North
Dakota and South Dakota in asking the Court to block the California
law because it discriminated against the use of ethanol produced in
the Midwest without any lawful basis for doing so. Yesterday, the
court agreed. This Court finds that the California fuel standard
impermissibly discriminates against out-of-state corn ethanol and
impermissibly regulates extraterritorially in violation of the
dormant Commerce Clause and its jurisprudence, the Court wrote in
its opinion. Schmidt said he is encouraged by the Courts decision
and believes it will stand up on appeal. If the State of California
decides to appeal the ruling, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
based in San Francisco would have jurisdiction to hear the matter.
The case is Rocky Mountain Farmers Union v. Goldstene.
Schmidt encouraged by Supreme Court decision to take health care case
"These are issues that go to the heart of our federal system
and its structured protection of liberty, and it is appropriate for
the Supreme Court to resolve them.
and its structured protection of liberty, and it is appropriate for
the Supreme Court to resolve them.
Caldwell man sentenced to 13 additional years in prison for battering corrections officers
WELLINGTON (October 21, 2011) A Caldwell man has been
sentenced to more than 13 additional years in prison for two counts
of battery against county corrections officers, Kansas Attorney
General Derek Schmidt announced today. Thomas Melvin Guerra, age
24, was originally charged with five counts battery against a
corrections officer, three counts battery against a law enforcement
officer, two counts obstruction of official duty, three counts
criminal threat and one count criminal damage to property. The
crimes occurred in June, September and November 2010 while Guerra
was being housed in the Sumner County Jail pending disposition of
two 2009 cases. In September, Guerra pled guilty to two counts of
battery against a corrections officer. Yesterday, Judge William R.
Mott, sentenced Guerra to 162 months in the Kansas Department of
Corrections to run consecutively with the 167-month term Guerra
received for the 2009 cases. The Summer County Sheriffs Department
conducted the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant
Attorney General Lee Davidson from Schmidts Office.
sentenced to more than 13 additional years in prison for two counts
of battery against county corrections officers, Kansas Attorney
General Derek Schmidt announced today. Thomas Melvin Guerra, age
24, was originally charged with five counts battery against a
corrections officer, three counts battery against a law enforcement
officer, two counts obstruction of official duty, three counts
criminal threat and one count criminal damage to property. The
crimes occurred in June, September and November 2010 while Guerra
was being housed in the Sumner County Jail pending disposition of
two 2009 cases. In September, Guerra pled guilty to two counts of
battery against a corrections officer. Yesterday, Judge William R.
Mott, sentenced Guerra to 162 months in the Kansas Department of
Corrections to run consecutively with the 167-month term Guerra
received for the 2009 cases. The Summer County Sheriffs Department
conducted the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant
Attorney General Lee Davidson from Schmidts Office.
Kansans turn in nearly 2 tons of prescription drugs
TOPEKA (November 15, 2011) Kansans turned in 3,809 pounds of
unused prescription drugs during the National Prescription Drug
Take-Back Day on October 29, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt
said today. This was the highest total amount of medications
collected in Kansas since the program began last year. Unused
medications lingering in medicine cabinets have the potential to be
misused, Schmidt said. Kansans took this opportunity to properly
dispose of these medications to make our homes safer. Local law
enforcement officials collected the unused medications at 60
locations throughout the state. The program was sponsored
nationwide by the Drug Enforcement Administration, which collects
and safely destroys the medications. This was the second collection
day scheduled this year. Medicines that languish in home cabinets
are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of
prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the
number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained
from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
In addition, Americans are now advised that traditional methods for
disposing of unused medicines flushing them down the toilet or
throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards
and should be avoided. Unused prescriptions can be turned in
year-round at many local law enforcement locations. Kansans should
contact their local sheriffs office or police department for more
information.
unused prescription drugs during the National Prescription Drug
Take-Back Day on October 29, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt
said today. This was the highest total amount of medications
collected in Kansas since the program began last year. Unused
medications lingering in medicine cabinets have the potential to be
misused, Schmidt said. Kansans took this opportunity to properly
dispose of these medications to make our homes safer. Local law
enforcement officials collected the unused medications at 60
locations throughout the state. The program was sponsored
nationwide by the Drug Enforcement Administration, which collects
and safely destroys the medications. This was the second collection
day scheduled this year. Medicines that languish in home cabinets
are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of
prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the
number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
Studies show a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained
from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
In addition, Americans are now advised that traditional methods for
disposing of unused medicines flushing them down the toilet or
throwing them in the trash pose potential safety and health hazards
and should be avoided. Unused prescriptions can be turned in
year-round at many local law enforcement locations. Kansans should
contact their local sheriffs office or police department for more
information.
Attorney General Schmidt defends Johnson County intermodal project
TOPEKA (November 23, 2011) Kansas Attorney General Derek
Schmidt today asked the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to reject a
lawsuit that attempts to block construction of a new multi-million
dollar intermodal transportation project near Edgerton in Johnson
County. Schmidt filed a brief with the Denver-based federal appeals
court asking it to approve a decision by the Army Corps of
Engineers to issue a permit for the project. The permit has been
challenged in a lawsuit brought by an environmental group opposed
to the project. A federal district court in Kansas City has sided
with the Corps, allowing the project to proceed, but the
environmental group has appealed that ruling. The project has the
potential to contribute hundreds of millions of dollars into the
local economy and place thousands of Kansans back to work, Schmidt
wrote. When completed and fully operational, the Intermodal
Facility is expected to create approximately 8,700 new jobs,
resulting in significant employment opportunities for state
residents and substantial economic returns for the state. Schmidts
brief specifically objects to an attempt by the projects opponents
to have the Court apply to the Kansas project air-quality standards
and requirements that have been implemented by California under
California law. Recognizing the important public policy
considerations behind air pollution control, Kansas law firmly
places the decision to impose stricter standards than provided by
federal law in the hands of the Kansas Legislature not the State of
California, Schmidt wrote. Kansas has established the necessary
standards to protect the health and safety of its citizens and the
neighboring states. Kansas has met all the requirements... Schmidt
was joined in the filing by Oklahoma Attorney General Scott
Pruitt.
Schmidt today asked the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to reject a
lawsuit that attempts to block construction of a new multi-million
dollar intermodal transportation project near Edgerton in Johnson
County. Schmidt filed a brief with the Denver-based federal appeals
court asking it to approve a decision by the Army Corps of
Engineers to issue a permit for the project. The permit has been
challenged in a lawsuit brought by an environmental group opposed
to the project. A federal district court in Kansas City has sided
with the Corps, allowing the project to proceed, but the
environmental group has appealed that ruling. The project has the
potential to contribute hundreds of millions of dollars into the
local economy and place thousands of Kansans back to work, Schmidt
wrote. When completed and fully operational, the Intermodal
Facility is expected to create approximately 8,700 new jobs,
resulting in significant employment opportunities for state
residents and substantial economic returns for the state. Schmidts
brief specifically objects to an attempt by the projects opponents
to have the Court apply to the Kansas project air-quality standards
and requirements that have been implemented by California under
California law. Recognizing the important public policy
considerations behind air pollution control, Kansas law firmly
places the decision to impose stricter standards than provided by
federal law in the hands of the Kansas Legislature not the State of
California, Schmidt wrote. Kansas has established the necessary
standards to protect the health and safety of its citizens and the
neighboring states. Kansas has met all the requirements... Schmidt
was joined in the filing by Oklahoma Attorney General Scott
Pruitt.
Peabody man sentenced to life without parole
MARION (December 8, 2011) -- A Peabody man has been sentenced
to life in prison without the possibility of parole for his role in
the sexual assault of a 14 year-old girl, Kansas Attorney General
Derek Schmidt announced today. Terry Bowen, age 64, of Peabody, was
found guilty by a jury of two counts of Rape, Aggravated Criminal
Sodomy and Aggravated Kidnapping in June of 2011 in Marion County
district court. District Judge Michael Powers yesterday sentenced
Bowen to life without parole under the state's aggravated habitual
sex offender statute. Also convicted in connection with the crimes
were Lora Gay, age 38, also of Peabody, who was sentenced to more
than 25 years in prison, and Kenneth Frederick, age 22, of Peabody,
who was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison. Assistant
Attorneys General C.W. Klebe and Christine Ladner prosecuted the
case.
to life in prison without the possibility of parole for his role in
the sexual assault of a 14 year-old girl, Kansas Attorney General
Derek Schmidt announced today. Terry Bowen, age 64, of Peabody, was
found guilty by a jury of two counts of Rape, Aggravated Criminal
Sodomy and Aggravated Kidnapping in June of 2011 in Marion County
district court. District Judge Michael Powers yesterday sentenced
Bowen to life without parole under the state's aggravated habitual
sex offender statute. Also convicted in connection with the crimes
were Lora Gay, age 38, also of Peabody, who was sentenced to more
than 25 years in prison, and Kenneth Frederick, age 22, of Peabody,
who was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison. Assistant
Attorneys General C.W. Klebe and Christine Ladner prosecuted the
case.
Attorney General Schmidt to visit Kansas communities
TOPEKA (October 18, 2011) Kansas Attorney General Derek
Schmidt will visit several southeast and south central Kansas
communities next week. An important part of public service is
spending time throughout our state to stay focused on what is
important to Kansans, Schmidt said. Im looking forward to keeping
in touch with several Kansas communities next week. Schmidt will
visit 10 counties next week, visiting with community leaders,
speaking at meetings of community organizations and conducting
listening stops in several local communities. The listening stops
are open to the public, and all local residents are encouraged to
attend. The attorney generals public schedule is as follows:
Monday, October 24 8 a.m. Sedan Listening Stop Family Ranch
Restaurant, 115 S. School St. 9:30 a.m. Howard Listening Stop City
Library, 126 S. Wabash Ave. 11 a.m. Eureka Consumer Protection
Seminar Attorney General Schmidt will visit with seniors about
protecting themselves from scams and fraud. Senior Center, 209 N.
Oak St. 1:30 p.m. Cottonwood Falls County Courthouse Tour Attorney
General Schmidt will meet with county commissioners and other
elected officials and staff at the historic courthouse. Chase
County Courthouse, 300 Pearl St. 4 p.m. Newton Tour Newton Medical
Center 600 Medical Center Dr. 6 p.m. Hillsboro Remarks at Lions
Club La Cabana, 117 S. Main St. Tuesday, October 25 8 a.m. Garnett
Listening Stop The Coffee Loft, 130 E 5thAve. 10 a.m. Burlington
Listening Stop Burlington Development, 201 N. 3rdSt. 12 p.m.
Neodesha Remarks at Rotary Club Mojos Pizza Pasta More, 505 Main
St. 1:45 p.m. Fredonia Listening Stop Back Porch, 630 Madison St. 4
p.m. Fort Scott Listening Stop Citizens Bank, 200 S. Main
St.
Schmidt will visit several southeast and south central Kansas
communities next week. An important part of public service is
spending time throughout our state to stay focused on what is
important to Kansans, Schmidt said. Im looking forward to keeping
in touch with several Kansas communities next week. Schmidt will
visit 10 counties next week, visiting with community leaders,
speaking at meetings of community organizations and conducting
listening stops in several local communities. The listening stops
are open to the public, and all local residents are encouraged to
attend. The attorney generals public schedule is as follows:
Monday, October 24 8 a.m. Sedan Listening Stop Family Ranch
Restaurant, 115 S. School St. 9:30 a.m. Howard Listening Stop City
Library, 126 S. Wabash Ave. 11 a.m. Eureka Consumer Protection
Seminar Attorney General Schmidt will visit with seniors about
protecting themselves from scams and fraud. Senior Center, 209 N.
Oak St. 1:30 p.m. Cottonwood Falls County Courthouse Tour Attorney
General Schmidt will meet with county commissioners and other
elected officials and staff at the historic courthouse. Chase
County Courthouse, 300 Pearl St. 4 p.m. Newton Tour Newton Medical
Center 600 Medical Center Dr. 6 p.m. Hillsboro Remarks at Lions
Club La Cabana, 117 S. Main St. Tuesday, October 25 8 a.m. Garnett
Listening Stop The Coffee Loft, 130 E 5thAve. 10 a.m. Burlington
Listening Stop Burlington Development, 201 N. 3rdSt. 12 p.m.
Neodesha Remarks at Rotary Club Mojos Pizza Pasta More, 505 Main
St. 1:45 p.m. Fredonia Listening Stop Back Porch, 630 Madison St. 4
p.m. Fort Scott Listening Stop Citizens Bank, 200 S. Main
St.
Attorney General Schmidt to host three-day criminal justice seminar
TOPEKA (October 24, 2011) Kansas Attorney General Derek
Schmidt will host prosecutors from across Kansas in Topeka November
1-3 for a series of work groups designed to increase expertise and
strengthen state prosecutions in specific criminal justice areas.
The sessions will provide training in capital litigation, child
predator prosecution, and the prosecution of drug manufacturing and
distribution. Prosecutors from Schmidts criminal litigation
division as well as senior prosecutors from county and district
attorney offices around the state will share their observations,
insights and lessons learned to better prepare prosecutors to
handle these cases. Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor is
co-hosting the event. The schedule for the event is as follows:
Tuesday, November 1 Capital murder prosecution Wednesday, November
2 Child predator prosecution Thursday, November 3 Drugs and drug
manufacturing prosecutions Its important for prosecutors from
across Kansas to be in communication to share expertise and
experiences as we all work together to make Kansas safer, Schmidt
said. I hope to make this three-day workshop an annual event. I
commend Attorney General Schmidt for bringing together prosecutors
from across the state to address how we can improve public safety
in Kansas, District Attorney Chad Taylor said. Kansas prosecutors
possess a wealth of experience that when shared will help keep
Kansans safe. The three day event will be held in Topeka at the
Kansas National Guard Museum, 6700 SW Topeka Blvd.
Schmidt will host prosecutors from across Kansas in Topeka November
1-3 for a series of work groups designed to increase expertise and
strengthen state prosecutions in specific criminal justice areas.
The sessions will provide training in capital litigation, child
predator prosecution, and the prosecution of drug manufacturing and
distribution. Prosecutors from Schmidts criminal litigation
division as well as senior prosecutors from county and district
attorney offices around the state will share their observations,
insights and lessons learned to better prepare prosecutors to
handle these cases. Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor is
co-hosting the event. The schedule for the event is as follows:
Tuesday, November 1 Capital murder prosecution Wednesday, November
2 Child predator prosecution Thursday, November 3 Drugs and drug
manufacturing prosecutions Its important for prosecutors from
across Kansas to be in communication to share expertise and
experiences as we all work together to make Kansas safer, Schmidt
said. I hope to make this three-day workshop an annual event. I
commend Attorney General Schmidt for bringing together prosecutors
from across the state to address how we can improve public safety
in Kansas, District Attorney Chad Taylor said. Kansas prosecutors
possess a wealth of experience that when shared will help keep
Kansans safe. The three day event will be held in Topeka at the
Kansas National Guard Museum, 6700 SW Topeka Blvd.
Dodge City man convicted on drug, animal cruelty charges
DODGE CITY (November 9, 2011) A Dodge City man was convicted
yesterday on six drug charges and three charges of animal cruelty,
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today. Isidro
Villa-Vasquez, age 42, was found guilty by a Ford County jury of
the following charges: Possession of cocaine with intent to
distribute Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine Conspiracy to
distribute cocaine Two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia
Tax stamp violation Three counts of cruelty to animals Judge E.
Leigh Hood presided over the trial. Sentencing is scheduled for
November 28 at 10:30 a.m. The charges stemmed from a February
investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, assisted by
the Dodge City Police Department, Ford County Sheriffs Office and
the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Natalie
Randall with the Southwest Kansas Drug Task Force.
yesterday on six drug charges and three charges of animal cruelty,
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today. Isidro
Villa-Vasquez, age 42, was found guilty by a Ford County jury of
the following charges: Possession of cocaine with intent to
distribute Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine Conspiracy to
distribute cocaine Two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia
Tax stamp violation Three counts of cruelty to animals Judge E.
Leigh Hood presided over the trial. Sentencing is scheduled for
November 28 at 10:30 a.m. The charges stemmed from a February
investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, assisted by
the Dodge City Police Department, Ford County Sheriffs Office and
the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Natalie
Randall with the Southwest Kansas Drug Task Force.
Kiowa County man sentenced to almost 14 years for wifes murder
GREENSBURG (November 16, 2011) A judge today sentenced Mark
H. Ralstin, 40, to 165 months in prison for his wifes murder,
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced. A jury convicted
Ralstin in July of intentional second-degree murder of his wife,
Bobbi Jo Ralstin. The crime occurred on November 6, 2009, at the
Ralstins home near Mullinville, in rural Kiowa County. The case was
tried before Chief Judge Daniel Love of the 16thJudicial District
in the Kiowa County Courthouse. The case was prosecuted by
Assistant Attorneys General Steve Karrer and Travis Harrod. The
Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Kiowa County Sheriffs Office
investigated the crime.
H. Ralstin, 40, to 165 months in prison for his wifes murder,
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced. A jury convicted
Ralstin in July of intentional second-degree murder of his wife,
Bobbi Jo Ralstin. The crime occurred on November 6, 2009, at the
Ralstins home near Mullinville, in rural Kiowa County. The case was
tried before Chief Judge Daniel Love of the 16thJudicial District
in the Kiowa County Courthouse. The case was prosecuted by
Assistant Attorneys General Steve Karrer and Travis Harrod. The
Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Kiowa County Sheriffs Office
investigated the crime.
Internet safety program reaches more than 50,000 participants
TOPEKA (December 27, 2011) A statewide program aimed at
keeping kids safer on the Internet reached 56,321 participants
during 2011, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today.
The Netsmartz program is presented throughout the state by the
Kansas Alliance of Boys Girls Clubs through a legislative
appropriation and administered by the Attorney Generals Office. The
interactive, educational program was developed by the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Boys Girls Clubs of
America for children age 5 to 17, their parents, teachers and law
enforcement officers. It uses age-appropriate, interactive
activities to teach children how to be safer online. Netsmartz is a
wonderful program to remind all of us children and adults of the
dangers lurking on the Internet, Schmidt said. Once again, our
partners in the Kansas Boys Girls Clubs have done a great job
getting this message out there and helping Kansans stay safe
online. The Attorney Generals Office began partnering with the Boys
Girls Club to present the Netsmartz program in 2006. The programs
are presented throughout the state in classrooms and after-school
programs by specialized trainers. To learn more about the program,
call the Attorney Generals Office at (785) 296-2215 or visit
www.netsmartz.org.
keeping kids safer on the Internet reached 56,321 participants
during 2011, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced today.
The Netsmartz program is presented throughout the state by the
Kansas Alliance of Boys Girls Clubs through a legislative
appropriation and administered by the Attorney Generals Office. The
interactive, educational program was developed by the National
Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Boys Girls Clubs of
America for children age 5 to 17, their parents, teachers and law
enforcement officers. It uses age-appropriate, interactive
activities to teach children how to be safer online. Netsmartz is a
wonderful program to remind all of us children and adults of the
dangers lurking on the Internet, Schmidt said. Once again, our
partners in the Kansas Boys Girls Clubs have done a great job
getting this message out there and helping Kansans stay safe
online. The Attorney Generals Office began partnering with the Boys
Girls Club to present the Netsmartz program in 2006. The programs
are presented throughout the state in classrooms and after-school
programs by specialized trainers. To learn more about the program,
call the Attorney Generals Office at (785) 296-2215 or visit
www.netsmartz.org.
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