Sunday, September 30, 2012

Blessed union: Couple thankful to share wedding with mom battling terminal cancer

Jaqueline Diaz-Sua, left, embraces her new mother-in-law, Geri Kidawski, shortly after her wedding ceremony Sept. 23 at the assisted-living facility where Kidawski lives as she fights cancer. (Lenn Stout | The Coloradoan)

FORT COLLINS?? Most brides plan their wedding over a span of months, crafting every detail with precision and care ? down to the last flower petal.

But for Jaqueline Diaz-Sua, 23, of Florida, the perfect wedding required no pomp and circumstance ? only the people she loves and the blessing of her 63-year-old mother-in-law, Geri Kidawski.

Diaz-Sua and her fianc?, Chris Kidawski, 34, began planning the makeshift ceremony three days before saying "I do," flying to Colorado on Friday night to give the family one more memory together before the end of Geri's two-year battle with cancer. She's expected to die in the coming weeks.

"That's what weddings are all about ? to have the people around you who you love there to witness your love," Diaz-Sua said minutes before walking down a makeshift aisle in the garden of Turnberry Place Assisted Living, where Geri recently moved. "That's the most important thing in this world."

Change of plans

The couple, who got engaged July 22, originally had planned a larger February ceremony in Diaz-Sua's Florida home. When it became apparent that Geri likely wouldn't survive long enough to be there, the bride and her mother began drafting a plan to include her "second mom" in their special day ? a gift to her husband-to-be and the woman who raised him.

The February ceremony will feature a slide show from their fly-by wedding in Colorado, she said. Last Sunday's ceremony was as "perfect" as any wedding could be.

She donned "something new" ? a princesslike white dress purchased from David's Bridal the night before. Her hair was swept into a simple, romantic side ponytail by a local stylist at Arabella Salon.

She slipped "something blue" ? graceful royal- blue sandals ? onto her feet.

"Something borrowed" came in the multiple donations from the Fort Collins community ? a donated cake from Baby Cakes bakery, donated photography services from Natalie Beck Photography, donated decorations from Fort Collins Nursery and a donated arch and chairs from Front Range Event Rental ? that put the finishing touches on what started out as a small, private ceremony.

"We have everything," said Chris Kidawski, looking on as flower girl Hailey Meurer, 6, twirled around the property in her turquoise dress. "This is indescribable."

"The people of Fort Collins have been very good to us," Diaz-Sua said. "There are a lot of good, beautiful people in the world ? and I now know that there's a higher majority of those people here. ... They made miracles happen."

As the bride and her mother, Astrith Sua, shared precious moments together before the ceremony, Geri quietly prepared herself in another room, adjusting her wig and smoothing the green flowered dress that hung gracefully from her shoulders.

Linda Bennett, Geri's nurse from Pathways Hospice, grabbed a few tissues from the bedside table and tucked them into the side of Geri's wheelchair.

"You better just take the whole box," Geri said, laughing. "I'm going to be crying today."

The tears started early as she began talking about the young couple and the "love that surrounded" her on their wedding day.

"I called Jackie 'my daughter' from the very first time she called me," she said. "She is such a sweetheart, and I love her so dearly. ... My boys have also just been amazing through all of this. They love me so much. I know they'd do anything for me."

"Lover of life"

Chris said the wedding was a "bittersweet" gift to the ever-giving mother of three boys who always hoped for a daughter ? battling miscarriages, stillbirths and "so many bad things."

Geri's strength and inspiration through trials, culminating in her fight with cancer, is a "constant inspiration" to the three boys, he said.

"Describing my mom is like writing a book or trying to do a crib-notes version of the 'The Iliad,' " he said. "She's a lover of life ... even though she's been hurt her entire life ? she's been controlled, she's been manipulated, she's gone through indescribable things ? you'd never know it. Even in this situation, she's smiling and she's happy. There's never any animosity towards anything that's happened to her. She's very selfless."

She passed on those qualities to her son, said his mother-in-law, Astrith Sua.

"My daughter found someone who will love her and trust her and take care of her for all her life, thanks to Geri," Sua said. "She did an excellent job."

Source: http://feeds.denverpost.com/~r/dp-news-local/~3/HY3sNJHn7bg/blessed-union

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CUA falls to No. 16 Susquehanna 1-0 - Catholic

September 29, 2012

WASHINGTON ? The Cardinals (6-4, 1-1) suffered their first conference loss of 2012 on Saturday, dropping a tough 1-0 decision to No. 16 Susquehanna.? Patrick Fry netted the game-winner for the Crusaders in the 26th minute to help the Crusaders improve to 9-1 overall and 2-0 in the Landmark Conference.

CUA took the first two shots of the afternoon, which were both high, while Susquehanna made the most of its first attempt, with Fry taking a feed from David Trank and finding the back of the net for a 1-0 Crusaders lead.

A shot by Susquehanna's Andrew Hayes at the 27:42 mark was saved by Torsten Meuschke and Trank's shot two minutes later was high.

CUA was awarded a corner kick with six minutes to play until halftime, but the Cardinals were unable to get off a shot.

Early in the second, Mike Brennan took a shot for CUA, but his attempt went wide.

Hunter Horvath looked to get CUA on the board at the 66:20 mark, but Matt Salsman made the save for Susquehanna.

Both teams played strong defense all afternoon long, with CUA unable to get off another shot until the 85:47 mark.? Ethan DaPonte's attempt was stopped by Salsman though, and Susquehanna was able to hang on for the win.

The two teams combined to take only 12 shots on the day, with the Crusaders holding a slim 7-5 lead.? Susquehanna was also awarded two of the match's three corner kicks.

Meuschke sent back four shots for the Cardinals, while Salsman finished with two saves.

CUA is back in action on Wednesday afternoon when the Cardinals play host to Washington College.? Start time is set for 4 p.m.

Source: http://www.cuacardinals.com/sports/msoc/2012-13/releases/msoc_susquehanna_recap

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Thursday, September 6, 2012

Judy's Blog: !@#$% Happens

The Dream Summer
We were supposed to leave for five weeks in Italy on July 29 -- four of those weeks would be spent at an artists' colony housed in a castle in Umbria where I was hoping to finish my new book. A castle! Sound too good to be true? Uh huh?

The Reality
A visit to the radiologist on June 12 for a routine ultrasound (dense breast tissue) led to a core biopsy. Not that I didn't try to jump off the table and tell Dr. S I'd have the biopsy at another time because I had a really busy summer coming up. Oh, yeah--I actually did that, saying I'd discuss it with my GYN and get back to her. She convinced me, in her very quiet way, that my GYN would tell me to have the biopsy. Now.

The biopsy report came back a few days later while I was with my GYN in her office (a long standing appointment). It was good that I wasn't alone and that she, who has been my doctor for seventeen years, could explain it to me. Very early. Very small. Well differentiated. All good news.

But it was ductal carcinoma.

Wait ? me? There?s no breast cancer in my family (recent extensive genetic testing shows no genetic connection). I haven?t eaten red meat in more than 30 years. I?ve never smoked, I exercise every day, forget alcohol - it?s bad for my reflux - I?ve been the same weight my whole adult life. How is this possible? Well, guess what ? it?s possible.

Decisions
The biopsy report was a shock. Isn't it always? What do you do? Where do you go? I'm an emotional person. I'd read Betty Rollin's book, First You Cry, long ago - but for whatever reason I didn't cry. I choked up that first day, but the tears didn?t flow. This is neither good nor bad. It just surprised me. Instead, I sprang into action. Okay, I thought -- let's gather all the info, talk with both my primary care docs in NY. Talk with friends who've been through this. Ask for recommendations. Get a list of breast surgeons. Get this done. Taking charge (or thinking I was taking charge) made me feel better.

What follows are some of the hardest decisions I?ve ever had to make.?

The breast surgeon and the oncologist/breast cancer researcher who helped put my team together were great, and both were okay with either lumpectomy followed by radiation, or mastectomy with or without reconstruction. The decision was mine to make.

My cardiologist (primary care) and my GYN were not in favor of radiation for me. They know my body. They?ve cared for it for many years. I trust them. And while they have patients in common, they don?t really know each other. They are affiliated with different hospitals. Hearing the same thing from each of them was powerful. I won?t go into their reasons here. They?re specific to me. They have nothing to do with what might be the right treatment for someone else. (Most of my friends with BC have had lumpectomy and radiation.) They helped me make the decision to have mastectomy and reconstruction. Once the date was set I felt a sense of relief as I always do when I have a plan in place. Then, more decisions.

Breast Size Redux
I have small breasts (a la Margaret Simon). A-cups? The breast surgeon asked at our first meeting. She nailed it. I told her the exercises didn't work for me. Not sure she got my attempt at a joke. Like Margaret I used to think bigger was better. But my dense, small breasts aged well. They stayed perky while other body parts sagged. I'd become quite fond of them. Still, the idea of mastectomy wasn't a difficult emotional decision for me (again, these are very personal reactions and decisions). Maybe because my breasts have never defined my sexuality. Who knows?

At the shop where I was sent (pre-surgery) to get a couple of mastectomy camisoles for post surgery comfort, a yenta with a sense of humor said, Honey... take them both off and get yourself a matched pair. She wasn't the only one who recommended that. And I admit, sometimes I think I should have. Not for the "matched pair" but for the worry that it will happen again in the other breast. I have friends who've gone that route. If I were younger I think I?d have made a different decision. But I was focused on having as little anesthesia as possible, and the quickest recuperation.

The plastic surgeon thought she could do the reconstruction at the same time as the mastectomy, saving me a second surgery months later. When it comes to reconstruction there are more decisions to make --implants or autologous? If implants, saline or silicone? By then I was so tired of having to make decisions I went with whatever would make the surgery easiest on me, give a decent result, and left the rest to the plastic surgeon, who had been highly recommended and was part of my team from the beginning. (silicone implant)

Six Weeks from Diagnosis to Surgery
During those six weeks, with the docs? blessing, we were able to go to Nantucket where we?d rented a house for two weeks. Tiger Eyes was screening at the film festival and all our kids had plans to visit. It was a great two weeks. I got in plenty of beach time, we played Pounce every night, and most importantly, we all enjoyed our time together. During one thunderstorm (I?m phobic about lightning and thunder ? have been as long as I can remember) we were in the car and the kids were concerned about me. I said, Hey, I have breast cancer. What?s a little lightning and thunder? (I?d like to tell you I?m no longer phobic but I?d be lying.)

When we got to Nantucket I went cold turkey off my estrogen patch (on the docs? advice) without knowing if my tumor was ER positive (it was). I?d been using it for seventeen years and I really miss it. I?m having my first hot flashes at age 74. (Most of my friends with BC had never used any kind of HRT.)

We also got to spend four fabulous days in San Francisco, as planned, where Tiger Eyes was screening at the SFJFF.

Note to disappointed fans in San Francisco: I?m sorry I couldn't stay after the screening to sign your books. Now you know why. I wasn't supposed to be in crowds. Could not take the chance of catching a bug before surgery. On the plane I wore a surgical mask (and scrubbed our seats, tray tables, etc, like a lunatic while George pretended to be asleep) but I couldn't do that with you without explaining, and the time wasn't right for explaining. I?ll come back to your beautiful city and sign books for you another time.

July 30
I'm not afraid of surgery. Maybe I should be. Anesthesia can be dangerous but I'd had a hysterectomy seventeen years ago (cervical cancer caused by HPV). We didn't know it was cervical cancer before the surgery but we knew something was going on. Caught it just in time, extensive but still in situ. No other treatment necessary. Another story for another time. If I had a young daughter or son I'd talk to their docs about having the vaccine to protect them from getting or giving HPV. If only there was a vaccine to protect us from breast cancer we'd be lined up -- wouldn't we?

Anyway, this surgery went well, one night in the hospital, very little pain.

Going Public
My friends who've had breast cancer have been so helpful and supportive I can never thank them enough. They got me through this. They were my inspiration. If we can do it, you can do it! They were right. And I got off easy. The cancer hadn't spread anywhere. I don?t need chemo which is a whole other ballgame. (I'm considering taking a daily med but haven't yet made up my mind.) Also, I?m older, which is very different from being diagnosed when you?re young.

Now it?s one month post surgery -- I'm still in NY and feeling stronger every day, walking a couple of miles in the park each morning and going out to early dinners with George. Have seen movies and a couple of plays, as you know if you follow me on Twitter. I?m able to read again without falling asleep. Which doesn't mean I don't need a nap every day. I'm not working on my book yet (have just been given permission to type an hour at a time with arm exercises in between) but I'm thinking about getting back to it after Labor Day, kind of like starting school.

I have to thank Dr. S, the radiologist who's been doing my mammograms for 20 years. If she hadn't decided I should have a sonogram because of dense breast tissue we still wouldn't know. This didn't show up in a mammo or in physical exams, and I'm checked by doctors four times a year. Even the breast surgeon couldn?t feel this one. If you have dense breast tissue ask your radiologist about having a sonogram.

I?m lucky to have a loving, supportive partner in life (husband George) who has been fantastic, accompanying me to every doctor?s appointment, keeping me amused, making sure I?m well fed, and reassuring me every step of the way. I'm grateful to him and the rest of my loving family.

As I've told my friends who've also been treated for breast cancer, I've joined The Club - not one I wanted to join or even thought I would ever be joining - but here I am. I?m part of this Sisterhood of the Traveling Breast Cells (apologies to Ann Brashares). Medical diagnoses can leave you feeling alone and scared. When it comes to breast cancer you?re not alone, and scary though it is, there?s a network of amazing women to help you through it.

Stay well.
Judy

Source: http://judyblumeblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/happens.html

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Sunday, September 2, 2012

California Program Eliminating Upfront Cost Of Energy Upgrades Set To Launch For Businesses, Homeowners Left Waiting











I have written a few times before at this blog, including here and here, about an innovative financing proposal called on-bill repayment (OBR), which would eliminate the upfront cost of energy improvements.

The proposal was presented to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) by Brad Copithorne, an Energy and Financial Policy Specialist with the San Francisco office of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Different models of OBR have been launched in Oregon and New York, but Copithorne customized the concept for the California market.

In an April 29 post, I reported on two developments that made it much more likely California would launch an OBR program as expected in January 2013. California?s program would be the first statewide OBR program for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to be financed entirely by third parties.

First, the CPUC had released a proposed decision directing the state?s major utilities to develop OBR programs for commercial properties in their service territories. In a May 18 decision (PDF), the CPUC upheld the proposed decision, directing the utilities to proceed with program development. Because the CPUC does not believe it has the authority to direct utilities to establish a similar program for the residential sector, EDF had sponsored legislation, introduced by Senator Kevin de Le?n, SB 998 (PDF), which would authorize the CPUC to compel utilities to develop OBR programs for homeowners.

The bill was passed out of the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee on April 24 and passed with an unanimous vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 21 ? but there it remains. As today is the last day of the legislative session, OBR for residential customers will have to wait until the Legislature reconvenes next year.

An Environmental Defense Fund proposal would eliminate the upfront cost of upgrades such as insulation. A program for California businesses is set to launch in January 2013. Homeowners will have to wait a bit longer. Credit: U.S. EPA

In an August 30 blog post, Brad Copithorne notes that the utilities? commercial OBR proposal is slated for release on October 1. He also describes what EDF plans to do next to reach a residential OBR solution:

EDF has been working closely with the utilities, environmental groups, financial institutions, project developers and other key stakeholders to craft a program that provides low-cost financing for retrofits, does not require ratepayer subsidies and has maximum flexibility to allow vendors and investors to decide how best to serve their customers? needs. We are cautiously optimistic that the utility proposal will meet these objectives when it is released to the public on October 1, 2012.

The CPUC, however, believes that they currently do not have the regulatory authority to extend the OBR program to residential properties. EDF has been pursuing legislation to grant this authority to the CPUC, but, at this time, we do not expect that it will pass in the 2012 legislative session. EDF plans to re-introduce the residential-focused legislation in 2013 with a broad range of supporters, including several key members of the legislature.

Here?s how on-bill repayment would work, from my March 28 post:

After performing an energy audit of the home or commercial building, or assessing the suitability of the rooftop for solar, a contractor recommends improvements to the building owner. Improvements could include attic and wall cavity insulation, high-efficiency windows and appliances, duct-sealing, or rooftop solar. The contractor presents an estimate of the upfront cost of the improvements. If the building owner agrees to the upgrades, the contractor sends a loan request to participating banks for approval. The loan is repaid through the customer?s monthly utility bill.

?Whatever the savings would be on the project, they would be required to exceed what you have to pay each month on the loan,? said Copithorne. He offered an example. A homeowner pays an average of $300 per month for utilities. The package of energy upgrades recommended by the contractor will save $200 monthly. After the monthly loan payment, say $180, represented as a line item on the utility bill, the customer?s bill drops from $300 to $280. If the property is sold, the loan stays with the meter and would be taken over by the new tenant.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/justingerdes/2012/08/31/california-program-eliminating-upfront-cost-of-energy-upgrades-set-to-launch-for-businesses-homeowners-left-waiting/

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Acorn International Reports Second Quarter 2012 Financial Results ...

SHANGHAI, Aug. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Acorn International, Inc. (NYSE: ATV) ("Acorn" or the "Company"), a media and branding company in China engaged in developing, promoting and selling products through extensive direct and distribution networks, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.

Summary Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2012:

  • Net revenues were $46.1 million, down 44.3% from $82.9 million for the second quarter of 2011.
  • Gross profit was $23.2 million, down 34.1% from $35.2 million for the second quarter of 2011.
  • Gross margin increased to 50.3% from 42.4% for the second quarter of 2011.
  • Operating loss was $7.4 million, compared to operating loss of $0.2 million for the second quarter of 2011.
  • Net loss attributable to Acorn was $5.2 million, compared to net income of $3.8 million for the second quarter of 2011.
  • Diluted loss per American Depositary Share ("ADS") was $0.17, compared to diluted earnings per ADS of $0.13 for the second quarter of 2011.

"In the second quarter of 2012, we saw a 44% decline in revenue, primarily due to decreased demand for existing mobile phone models and slower-than-expected sales of new mobile phone models launched in the second quarter of 2012. Higher media costs continued to impact the Company during the quarter, with rates 17% higher than the same period last year.? In response, we reduced our TV advertising airtime by focusing on TV channels with the most effective media utilization and ceased the cooperation with less effective TV channels, which adversely impacted our TV direct sales, particularly for lower margin products.? We also discounted prices of our older electronic learning products in order to clear our existing inventory in advance of the July launch of our new products incorporating mobile internet interactive features.? Although we saw an improvement in gross margin and kept other operating expenses under control, we incurred a loss during the quarter," said Mr. Don Yang, CEO of Acorn.? "Going forward, we will seek to maximize the effectiveness of our media spending and accelerate new product launches to energize our sales platforms, diversify our product mix and help us return to a growth trajectory.? We recently introduced new product upgrades to our popular line of Yierjian fitness products that have been well received by our customers.? We expect to see accelerated sales of our new electronic learning products from recent levels in the third quarter and plan to launch new beauty products in October in advance of the peak season for cosmetics. We will continue to monitor China's mobile phone market and plan to test market new models in the second half of the year. Additionally we will cooperate with certain insurance companies to promote and sell insurance products.? Finally, we are also in the process of establishing a joint venture between Acorn and Guthy-Renker LLC ("Guthy-Renker"), which, upon completion, will sell Guthy-Renker branded products in China. We expect that such joint venture will be completed in the second half of 2012. "???

Business Results for the Second Quarter of 2012:

  • Sales of mobile phones generated revenues of $14.1 million, representing 30.5% of total revenues, in the second quarter of 2012.? Mobile phone sales declined 74.1% from the second quarter of 2011, primarily due to decreased demand for existing mobile phone models and slower-than-expected sales of the new mobile phone models launched in the second quarter of 2012.? The Company intends to launch new mobile phones models in the second half of 2012.
  • Sales of fitness products (namely our Yierjian product line first launched in the third quarter of 2011), performed well in the second quarter of 2012 and generated revenues of $13.7 million, representing 29.6% of total revenues. The Company expects the fitness product line to remain one of its major revenue drivers in 2012.
  • Other direct sales platforms, represented by third-party bank channels, outbound calls, catalogs and Internet sales declined 53% in the second quarter of 2012 as compared to the second quarter of 2011.? The decline in other direct sales was primarily due to the lower sales from third-party bank channels as the Company ceased its cooperation with certain banks where sales through these banks were unprofitable, and slower sales from outbound calls and Internet sales as a result of the lower-than-expected performance of newer products including newly launched mobile phones.

Second Quarter 2012 Results:

Total net revenues were $46.1 million for the second quarter of 2012, a decrease of 44.3% from $82.9 million for the second quarter of last year.? Direct sales contributed to 93.4%, or $43.1 million, of the total net revenues for the second quarter of 2012, a decrease of 44.3% from $77.3 million for the same period last year. The decrease in direct sales levels resulted mainly from a decline in sales generated from mobile phones, cosmetics and collectible products.

Distribution sales net revenues decreased 45.0% year-over-year to $3.1 million from $5.6 million for the second quarter of 2011, primarily due to the decreased demand for existing electronic learning device models and price discounts offered to distributors on older models prior to Acorn's launch of new electronic learning devices incorporating mobile internet interactive features.

The table below summarizes the gross revenues of the Company for the second quarter of 2011 and 2012, broken down by product categories:


2012?Q2

Sales

2011 Q2

Sales


$'000

%

$'000

%

Mobile phones

14,104

30.51%

54,495

65.61%

Fitness products

13,692

29.62%

N/A

N/A

Collectible products

4,133

8.94%

6,625

7.98%

Consumer electronics

3,069

6.64%

4,064

4.89%

Electronic learning products

2,335

5.05%

4,559

5.49%

Jewelry and accessories

1,708

3.69%

1,387

1.67%

Cosmetics

1,329

2.87%

6,541

7.87%

Health products

1,180

2.55%

1,627

1.96%

Other products

4,683

10.13%

3,763

4.53%

Total gross revenues

46,233


83,061


Cost of sales for the second quarter of 2012 was $22.9 million, representing a 51.9% decrease from $47.7 million for the second quarter of 2011, primarily due to the decrease in sales.

Gross profit for the second quarter of 2012 was $23.2 million, a decrease of 34.1% as compared to $35.2 million for the second quarter of 2011. Gross margin was 50.3% in the second quarter of 2012, as compared to 42.4% in the same period in 2011. The increase in gross margin was largely due to a shift in product mix toward fitness products sales, which generally have higher margins, and reduced sales of lower margin mobile phones. This was partially offset by lower average selling prices for electronic learning products.

Advertising expenses were $12.9 million for the second quarter of 2012, down 16.3% from $15.4 million for the second quarter of 2011. Gross profit over advertising expenses, a benchmark Acorn uses to measure return on its multiple sales platforms, was 1.80 in the second quarter of 2012, down from 2.28 in the second quarter of 2011. The decline was primarily as a result of higher media prices, as well as the decline in our sales.

Other selling and marketing expenses decreased 18.1% to $11.6 million from $14.1 million for the second quarter of 2011.? The decrease in expenses was not in line with the decline in our sales, mainly due to larger contribution of fitness products to total revenues, which have higher delivery costs, as well as the increase in labor costs of sales and marketing personnel.

General and administrative expenses were $6.6 million for the second quarter of 2012, representing a 3.0% increase from $6.5 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Other operating income, net, was $0.5 million for the second quarter of 2012, as compared to $0.6 million in the second quarter of 2011.

As a result, operating loss was $7.4 million, as compared to operating loss of $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Other income, primarily from interest income and income from the sale of the Company's Eroda trademark, was $3.0 million, as compared to $5.6 million in the second quarter of 2011.? In the year ago period, the Company generated investment income of approximately $5.4 million from the disposal of the equity interests in a jewelry sales company.

Share-based compensation was $124,392 for the second quarter of 2012, as compared to $34,116 in the second quarter of 2011.

The Company recorded an income tax expense of $0.9 million in the second quarter of 2012 as compared to income tax expense of $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Net loss attributable to Acorn was $5.2 million, as compared to net income of $3.8 million in the second quarter of 2011.

Diluted loss per American Depositary Share ("ADS") was $0.17, as compared to diluted earnings per ADS of $0.13 for the second quarter of 2011.

As of June 30, 2012, Acorn's cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash and short-term investments, totaled $110.5 million, as compared to $122.7 million as of December 31, 2011.

Other information:

In June 2012, our subsidiary, Shanghai HJX Digital Technology Co., Ltd. ("Shanghai HJX") received 18 court briefs and relevant case materials from Beijing City First Intermediate People's Court alleging that Shanghai HJX and Beijing City Large and Medium Sized Home Appliances Chain Sale Co., Ltd. ("Beijing Home Appliance"), infringed copyrights controlled by the plaintiff Yang Ya Zi Dian Co., Ltd. ("Yang Ya Zi Dian"). Yang Ya Zi Dian claims that in Mainland China it is the exclusive licensee of the copyright "Let's Talk In English" and "Studio Classroom" (the "Copyrights").? Yang Ya Zi Dian claims that Shanghai HJX's unauthorized use of the foregoing content on its website and its nine models of electronic learning products manufactured by Shanghai HJX and Beijing Home Appliance's sale of the foregoing products infringed upon the Copyrights, and brought separate lawsuits for each alleged infringement against Shanghai HJX and Beijing Home Appliance.

Damages or remedies sought by Yang Ya Zi Dian primarily focus on (i) monetary damages for the alleged infringements (possibly totaling up to RMB 10.8 million); (ii) termination by Shanghai HJX of the manufacture and sale of electronic learning devices allegedly infringing the Copyrights; and (iii) termination by Beijing Home Appliance of the sale of electronic learning devices manufactured by Shanghai HJX allegedly infringing the Copyrights. The Company is actively defending such allegations and the dates of relevant court hearings are to be determined.

Fiscal Year 2012 Business Outlook:

Due to lower-than-anticipated performance in the first half of 2012 and the overall macro-economic environment in China, the Company is revising its guidance. The Company now anticipates revenues between $260 million and $280 million and a net loss between $14 million and $16 million.

In the second half of 2012, Acorn will seek to improve effectiveness of its media spending by collaborating with its most effective TV channel partners to choose the best programs and times to air infomercials for its top performing products. Acorn also intends to build up new sales channels for its own branded products on the platforms of China's leading e-Commerce companies and plans to strengthen control and management of its distribution network, which is expected to have a positive impact on sales in the second half of 2012. The Company plans to further diversify its product offerings with seven to nine new products planned for the second half of 2012, including electronic learning products, fitness products, cosmetics and mobile phones, helping energize its direct sales platforms. At the same time, the management team remains focused on controlling costs and continuously improving operations.

These estimates and actions are subject to change.? Also, Acorn reminds investors that its operating results in each period vary significantly as a result of the mix of products sold in the period and the platforms through which they are sold. Therefore, the operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year.? Consequently, in evaluating the overall performance of Acorn's multiple sales platforms in any period, management also considers metrics such as operating margin and gross profit return on advertising expenses.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on August 31, 2012 (8:00 p.m. Beijing Time) to review the Company's financial results and answer questions. You may access the live interactive call via:

??? -- 1-800-860-2442 (U.S. Toll Free)
??? -- 1-412-858-4600 (International)
??? -- 1-866-605-3852 (Canada Toll Free)
??? -- 800-962475 (Hong Kong Toll Free)
??? -- 10-800-120-2304 (China South Toll Free)
??? -- 10-800-712-2304 (China North Toll Free)

Please dial-in approximately 5 minutes in advance to facilitate a timely start.

A replay will be available until 9:00 a.m. ET on September 11, 2012 and may be accessed via:

????-- 1-877-344-7529 (U.S. Toll Free)
????-- 1-412-317-0088 (International)
????-- Conference number: 10017303

A live and archived webcast of the call will be available on the Company's website at http://ir.chinadrtv.com.?

About Acorn International, Inc.

Acorn is a media and branding company in China, operating one of China's largest TV direct sales businesses in terms of revenues and TV airtime, and other direct sales platforms and a nationwide distribution network. Acorn's TV direct sales platform consists of airtime purchased from both national and local channels. Acorn's other direct sales platforms include catalogs, third-party bank channels, outbound telemarketing center and e-commerce websites. Acorn has built a proven track record of developing, promoting and selling proprietary-branded products, as well as products from established third parties. For more information, please visit http://ir.chinadrtv.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," including, among other things, Acorn's anticipated operating results for 2012; Acorn's marketing strategy; Acorn's ability to maximize the effectiveness of its media spending and enhance media return; Acorn's ability to accelerate new product launches or further diversify its product mix, the potential impact on the sales of Acorn in connection with its new electronic learning products in the third quarter and the planned launch of new beauty products in October; Acorn's ability to test market new mobile phone models in the second half of 2012 or at all; any continued or sustained improvement in sales of Acorn's mobile phones, fitness products or electronic learning products; the Company's ability to successfully introduce new products and services as planned; Acorn's ability to enter into cooperation with certain insurance companies; Acorn's ability to complete the joint venture with Guthy-Renker in the second half of 2012 and the expected benefits from such joint venture; the ability for the fitness product line to become a major revenue driver in 2012; the Company's ability to further diversify its product offerings; its ability to defend any litigation and anticipated damages and remedies related to the alleged copyright infringement by the Company's subsidiary; and the Company's ability to further enhance its direct sales platform, strengthen its distribution channels and improve effectiveness of its media spending. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. The Company's actual results and financial condition and other circumstances may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Acorn's business may not improve in the remainder of 2012 and the Company may fail to meet the operating results expectations. In particular, the operating results of the Company for any period are impacted significantly by the mix of products and services sold by the Company in the period and the platforms through which they are sold, causing the operating results to fluctuate and making them difficult to predict. The Company may not be able to maintain the sales and margin of such products at current level in the event that there is a change in the customers' preference, which may results in a material adverse impact on the Company's results of operations and financial conditions.

Other factors that could cause forward-looking statements to differ materially from actual future events or results include risks and uncertainties related to: the Company's ability to effectively consolidate the distribution channels, the Company's ability to successfully improve or introduce new products and services, including to offset declines in sales of existing products and services; the Company's ability to stay abreast of consumer market trends and maintain the Company's reputation and consumer confidence; the Company's ability to execute and maintain a successful market strategy, continued access to and effective usage of TV advertising time and pricing related risks; relevant government policies and regulations relating to TV media time and TV direct sales programs, including the new SARFT regulations and actions that may make TV media time unavailable to the Company or require the Company to suspend or terminate a particular TV direct sales program; potential unauthorized use of the Company's intellectual property; potential disruption of the Company's manufacturing processes; increasing competition in China's consumer market; the Company's U.S. tax status as a passive foreign investment company; and general economic and business conditions in China. The financial information contained in this release should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's 2011 annual report on Form 20-F filed with Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2012. For a discussion of other important factors that could adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, see "Risk Factors" beginning on page 6 of the Company's Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. The Company's actual results of operations for the second quarter of 2012 are not necessarily indicative of its operating results for any future periods. Any projections in this release are based on limited information currently available to the Company, which is subject to change. Although such projections and the factors influencing them will likely change, the Company will not necessarily update the information. Such information speaks only as of the date of this release.

Statement Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The condensed, consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited. These statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) that we considered necessary to present a fair statement of our results of operations, and financial position. The results reported in these condensed, consolidated financial statements should not be regarded as necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year. It is suggested that these condensed, consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2011 consolidated financial statements.

?

ACORN INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In US dollars)






December 31, 2011


June 30, 2012


(audited)


(unaudited)

Assets




Current assets:




Cash and cash equivalents

111,180,139


99,950,459

Restricted cash

1,556,852


512,577

Short-term investments

9,993,720


9,994,688

Accounts receivable, net

16,693,959


12,770,587

Notes receivable

-


536,752

Inventory

32,888,645


26,318,443

Prepaid advertising expenses

11,654,922


8,486,308

Other prepaid expenses and current assets, net

9,928,245


8,340,161

Deferred tax assets, net

3,465,795


1,204,261

Total current assets

197,362,277


168,114,236

Prepaid land use right

8,105,061


7,988,419

Property and equipment, net

29,803,901


28,589,110

Acquired intangible assets, net

2,126,596


1,961,355

Investments in affiliates

6,794,955


6,769,171

Other long-term assets

1,482,881


817,883

Total assets

245,675,671


214,240,174

Liabilities and equity




Current liabilities:




Accounts payable

21,023,807


10,798,205

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

18,910,178


11,907,839

Notes payable

4,411,840


1,558,602

Income taxes payable

3,603,813


247,397

Dividend payable

467


122

Total current liabilities

47,950,105


24,512,165

Deferred tax liability

831,006


827,852

Total liabilities

48,781,111


25,340,017

Equity




Acorn International, Inc. shareholders' equity:




Ordinary shares

945,666


945,944

Additional paid-in capital

160,632,659


160,811,936

Statutory reserve

5,442,682


7,547,128

Retained earnings

10,517,590


989,400

Accumulated other comprehensive income

30,320,856


29,657,265

Treasury stock, at cost

(11,463,946)


(11,463,946)

Total Acorn International, Inc. shareholders' equity

196,395,507


188,487,727

Non-controlling interests

499,053


412,430

Total equity

196,894,560


188,900,157

Total liabilities and equity

245,675,671


214,240,174

?

ACORN INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In US dollars)










3 Months Ended June 30


6 Months Ended June 30


2011


2012


2011


2012


(unaudited)


(unaudited)


(unaudited)


(unaudited)

?Net revenues








?Direct sales

77,281,772


43,062,899


138,464,498


94,947,901

?Distribution sales

5,570,146


3,063,849


28,339,447


19,293,795

?Total

82,851,918


46,126,748


166,803,945


114,241,696









?Cost of revenues








?Direct sales

(43,572,386)


(20,076,929)


(75,690,138)


(46,847,985)

?Distribution sales

(4,116,819)


(2,864,559)


(18,970,648)


(13,516,865)

?Total??????????????????????????????????????????????????????

(47,689,205)


(22,941,488)


(94,660,786)


(60,364,850)









?Gross profit








?Direct sales

33,709,386


22,985,970


62,774,360


48,099,916

?Distribution sales

1,453,327


199,290


9,368,799


5,776,930

?Total

35,162,713


23,185,260


72,143,159


53,876,846









?Operating (expenses) income








?Advertising expenses

(15,417,458)


(12,902,859)


(32,037,888)


(28,735,819)

?Other selling and marketing expenses

(14,101,677)


(11,552,324)


(26,197,640)


(24,866,230)

?General and administrative expenses

(6,454,672)


(6,645,693)


(13,514,455)


(13,135,313)

?Other operating income, net

583,492


549,176


1,053,656


1,361,382

?Total operating (expenses) income

(35,390,315)


(30,551,700)


(70,696,327)


(65,375,980)

?Income (loss) from operations

(227,602)


(7,366,440)


1,446,832


(11,499,134)









?Other income

5,603,559


3,032,501


5,766,930


4,046,878

?Income (loss) before income
??? taxes, and equity in losses of
??? affiliates

5,375,957


(4,333,939)


7,213,762


(7,452,256)









Income tax (expenses) benefits








?Current

(1,045,339)


1,384,275


(2,006,183)


2,196,152

?Deferred

-


(2,252,622)


-


(2,252,622)

?Total income tax (expenses) benefits

(1,045,339)


(868,347)


(2,006,183)


(56,470)









?Equity in losses of affiliates

(581,329)


-


(689,519)


-









?Net income (loss)

3,749,289


(5,202,286)


4,518,060


(7,508,726)









?Net income attributable to
??? noncontrolling interests

48,574


42,725


160,226


84,982

?Net income (loss) attributable to
??? Acorn International, Inc.

3,797,863


(5,159,561)


4,678,286


(7,423,744)









?Income (loss) per ADS








?Basic

0.13


(0.17)


0.16


(0.25)

?Diluted

0.13


(0.17)


0.16


(0.25)









Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in calculating
??? income per ADS (each ADS represents three ordinary shares)





?Basic

89,380,055


89,960,438


89,338,169


89,953,271

?Diluted

89,818,437


http://www.africanbusinessreview.co.za/press_releases/acorn-international-reports-second-quarter-2012-financial-results

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B's Outdoor Power Equipment - Point Pleasant (WV) Register

by Sarah Hawley
shawley@heartlandpublications.com
Point Pleasant (Wv) Register

RACINE, Ohio ? Turnovers can prove vital in the outcome of any game.

Such was the case on Friday evening as the Southern Tornadoes (1-1, 1-0 TVC Hocking) held off a rally from the visiting South Gallia Rebels (0-2, 0-1) to score their first win of the 2012 season.

A combined five lost fumbles and three interceptions proved to be the difference maker in the TVC Hocking contest at Roger Lee Adams Memorial Field.

The hosts took the opening kickoff, taking nine plays to put six points on the board. A drive of an opening pass play followed by 10 rushing plays, was capped off with a three yard touchdown run by Tyler Barton. The extra point kick failed, leaving Southern with a 6-0 lead less then five minutes into the game.

After a four and out by the Rebels, Southern took possession at the own 24 yard line. Three plays into the drive, quarterback Tristen Wolfe?s pass was intercepted by the Rebels Seth Carpenter.

South Gallia took advantage of the turnover, marching down field to tie the game. Ethan Spurlock scored on a six yard touchdown run. The two point conversion failed, leaving the score tied at six with 1:44 remaining in the first quarter.

The game would not remain tied for long, as Southern took six plays to put an additional six points on the board. Wolfe hit Trenton Deem for the 54 yard touchdown reception 12 seconds into the second quarter.

South Gallia appeared ready for its second scoring drive, but two consecutive penalties brought back what would have been first down runs. A fumble just past midfield was recovered by Southern?s Paul Ramthun to give Southern the ball.

Neither team would reach the end zone again in the first half, leaving the hosts with a 12-6 lead at the half. Each team moved the ball into the other team?s territory with turnovers late in the have ending drives for both teams.

Jacob White recovered a fumble for the Rebels, while Wolfe intercepted the Ethan Spurlock pass.

Back-to-back series to open the second have resulted in punts, before the Rebels started a long march down field. Eight rushing plays and two pass plays moved the ball from the South Gallia 28 yard line to the six yard line of the Tornadoes. A pass on fourth down from the six yard line by South Gallia starting quarterback Landon Hutchinson was intercepted by Southern?s Tyler O?Conner at the five yard line. O?Conner took the ball 95 yards for the Southern score.

Southern held the 18-6 lead after the failed two point conversion.

The Rebels would fumble on their next two possessions, with Southern?s Wolfe and O?Conner each recovering one fumble. Southern?s first possession of the fourth quarter resulted in a turnover on downs, giving the ball to South Gallia at their own 18 yard line.

Jacob White took the only play of the drive 82 yards, breaking a tackle, for the touchdown. A run by Hutchinson on the two point conversion cut the Southern lead to four points, 18-14.

Four plays later the Tornadoes extended the lead back to double digits with a 48 yard run by Barton.

Defensively, Wolfe, O?Conner and Ramthun each had a fumble recovery for the Tornadoes, with Wolfe and O?Conner each adding an interception.

For the South Gallia defense, Seth Carpenter had an interception, with White and Brandon Campbell each recovering a fumble.

Southern had 13 first downs in the game, to 11 for the Rebels.

The Tornadoes had 300 yards rushing on 46 carries and 61 yards passing. South Gallia had 239 yards rushing on 40 carries, with 99 yards passing.

South Gallia?s White led all ball carriers with 191 (21 carries) including an 82 yard touchdown run. Spurlock added 35 yards, and Hutchinson had 13 yards.

Barton led the Tornadoes with 173 yards on 19 carries. Ryan Billingsley had 74 yards, Deem had 60 yards rushing and 61 yards receiving, and Ramthun added seven yards.

Wolfe had two completions, both to Deem, for 61 yards in the game.

Hutchinson had five completions for 99 yards. Jared Northup (44 yards), Kane Hutchinson (17 yards), Jared Nolan (16 yards), Spurlock (16 yards) and Campbell (six yards) each had one catch for the Rebels.

The win was the first for the Tornadoes against South Gallia as a league opponent. Southern last won in the matchup in 2009 (28-6), with the last victory at home over the Rebels coming in 2004 (12-9).

Southern will travel to league opponent Belpre next week for its first road game of the season. South Gallia will return home to host TVC Hocking foe Trimble. Both games kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

Source: http://mydailyregister.com/bookmark/19999682

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Saturday, September 1, 2012

Hard-hitting club offers learning for all levels | ESU Bulletin

Earl Givens, assistant professor of information literacy and the adviser of ESU boxing club, illustrates boxing movement to the boxing class on Tuesday afternoon. Boxing club meets every Tuesday from 5: 30 pm-6: 30 p.m. in the Group Fitness Room at the Student Recreation Center. Yiqing Fu/The Bulletin

When Earl Givens Jr., assistant professor of information literacy and E-Resources librarian, started to talk to students on campus, he knew that there was growing interest for a particular activity.

Givens is the adviser to the Emporia State Boxing Club, one of the many new Recognized Student Organizations on campus this semester.

?A year ago, because of my background in boxing, I wanted to be able to share that with people on campus. So I talked to a bunch of students randomly to see if they?d be interested,? Givens said.

Much like any other recruitment process, it took a while to put all the pieces together and establish a unique club that Givens and students alike could call their own.

?I got a lot of feedback. I actually did a petition and got 75 signatures of students who were interested,? Givens said.

One of the 13 students on campus who recently joined the Boxing Club is Alexa Defore, freshman nursing major.

Defore, originally from Dexter, said she views the group as a new opportunity for her.

?I have never really been around boxing before. I?m from a really small town, so it?s never been offered,? Defore said.

Despite her lack of experience in the ring, Defore believes that she?ll appreciate the club and stick to the sport in the long run.

?We had our first meeting last Tuesday, and we got the first little basics introduced to us and I really enjoyed it. It?s a fun workout,? Defore said.

While the club is still in its initial stages, Givens said he plans on working the students up to a level where they will be able to compete in tournaments and matches across the collegiate circuit.

?For the first year, it?s a recreational club, so the students in the club will actually learn how to box and the basic skills of boxing,? Givens said. ?After the first year is over, the club will be enrolled in the National Collegiate Boxing Association and then they?ll be able to compete against other schools.?

For students like Jake Brown, freshman history major, the thought of competition brings a lot of different emotions.

?Coach said we?d be able to fight against schools like Army, Navy and KU, and in the back of my head I?m thinking those are some big schools,? Brown said.

However, the overall benefits of the club are what have Brown convinced that this is the right sport for him.

?I can?t wait to get in the ring and start hitting because it?ll come in handy someday if I ever need to protect myself,? Brown said. ?There?s nothing better than boxing when it comes to being able to defend yourself and hit back.?

The club meets from 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Tuesday in the Group Fitness Room of the Student Recreation Center. No prior experience is needed.

Source: http://www.esubulletin.com/2012/08/30/12084

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