WASHINGTON, July 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110428/DC91889LOGO)
SUNDAY, JULY 17: BIG MONTH FOR ICE CREAM
Profile America - Sunday, July 17th. This is an important time for one of our favorite foods - ice cream. First, this is National Ice Cream Day - part of National Ice Cream Month. Tom Carvel, who invented the machine that makes soft-serve ice cream, was born in July. The month also marks the introduction of the ice cream sundae, made by Wisconsin druggist Edward Berners in 1881 to skirt the strict Sabbath laws of the time. And the ice cream cone became popular this month in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair. As far as Americans are concerned, practically every day is ice cream day. We eat an average of 25 pounds of frozen dairy products each year, including 14 pounds of regular ice cream and nearly 7 pounds of the low-fat variety. Profile America is in its 15th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.
Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2011, p. 347
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2011, t. 213
Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).
SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau
Duncan Regional Hospital in southwestern Oklahoma will soon implement T SystemEV STAT, an intelligent engine, according to a release from T-System.
The T SystemEV STAT will go live at the 167-bed hospital this summer.
The technology, which can be accessed anywhere via the Internet, aggregates real-time data and uses algorithms to analyze patient statistics, calculate metrics such as inflow/outflow ratio and capacity, trend against historical baselines, and perform predictive modeling. T SystemEV STAT also serves as a notification system, generating alerts for management when the ED approaches capacity, and as a disease surveillance tool, tracking and identifying geographically clusters of people diagnosed with a particular illness.
"It's about making our departments accountable and making really good decisions and process improvements," said Roger Neal, chief information officer, Duncan Regional Hospital. "T SystemEV STAT lets our hospital and ED administrators, physicians and nurses look at the broad picture and make their own adjustments shift to shift, day to day, to improve performance. The tool gives them the power to know exactly what is going on in the ED and to affect change and proactively plan for what's coming in the future.
"Of all the systems our hospital evaluated, T SystemEV STAT provides the most sophisticated data in the simplest format. Other systems would require us to run a bunch of reports that are difficult to understand, whereas T SystemEV STAT gives us a quick, clear picture of exactly what is happening in our ED in real time. The other nice thing is the true integration with T-System's ED EHR coupled with excellent customer support and training."
"Our country's emergency departments are busier than ever, and that trend will only increase as the population ages and more people become insured through health reform changes. Hospitals like Duncan Regional recognize the benefit of leveraging their ED data to make informed decisions that can improve care, efficiency and throughput," said Sunny Sanyal, T-System's chief executive officer.
"T SystemEV STAT makes a positive immediate and future impact on overall operations, the patient healthcare experience, and the work lives of our dedicated caregivers."
T-System is a provider of solutions for emergency medicine.
((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))
THERE are many ways to cover your tracks when sending emails or posting items on the internet.
Among the most obvious are creating a false email account to hide your identity and going into an internet cafe to conceal which computer it was sent from.
But there are also more advanced services on the web that allow you to send anonymous emails.
Some allow you to send your email through random 'nodes' making it impossible to trace.
Some even wait for a period of time before sending on the message, making it less likely the sender could be linked to the time it was originally sent.
There are various ways of accessing the internet anonymously. This includes changing your IP address, which involves removing your modem, leaving it for about half an hour and putting it back in. This generates a new address.
People trying to avoid detection could also use a 'proxy server' which masks people's IP address with another.
GREENBELT, Md -- The following information was released by the Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA):
The moon as captured by the Galileo spacecraft on Dec. 9, 1990, at a range of about 350,000 miles. (NASA/GSFC)
View large image NASA has created a new interactive web-based tool that incorporates observations from past and current lunar missions creating one of the most comprehensive lunar research websites to date.
The Lunar Mapping and Modeling Project at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. has created an online set of capabilities and tools that will allow anyone with an Internet connection to search through, view, and analyze a vast number of lunar images and other digital products. The data and tools available through the project website will allow researchers to perform in-depth analyses to support mission planning and system design for lunar exploration and science missions. It will permit detailed scientific analysis and discovery and open additional educational and outreach opportunities.
The project website is a one-stop location for finding, retrieving, and analyzing data about the moon, including the most recent lunar surface imagery, altimetry, temperature, lighting and other data, as provided by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) and its seven onboard instruments.
The orbiter, launched by NASA in 2009, continues to gather information about the moon from its orbit some 31 miles (50 kilometers) above the lunar surface. LRO has provided a treasure trove of data -- more than all previous lunar and planetary missions combined.
The Lunar Mapping and Modeling Project website will also include data obtained from past lunar programs and missions including Apollo, Lunar Orbiter, Lunar Prospector, Clementine, Kaguya (Japan) and Chandrayaan-1 (India).
"By making these data widely available to the general public, NASA seeks to provide engineers, scientists, mission planners, educators and students with a new resource that will allow them to view and analyze a wide array of lunar images and other data products in a way not previously available to such a diverse group," said Raymond French, integration lead for the Lunar Mapping and Modeling Project Office at Marshall.
Information provided through the project website can be easily used for many purposes, including planning and analysis tasks in the areas of potential landing site evaluation and selection; design and positioning of landers or other stationary assets; design of rovers or other mobile assets; development of terrain-relative capabilities; assessment and planning of scientific surface expeditions; scientific analysis and discovery; and integration of lunar science and exploration into the development of classroom activities and education curricula.
The website provides access to rich and highly complex products from previous missions such as images; digital elevation models; gravity models; local hazard assessment maps assessing slope, surface roughness, crater and boulder distribution; and resource maps detailing such information as soil maturity and the presence and abundance of hydrogen and other elements.
The Lunar Mapping and Modeling Project website features an easy-to-use browsing tool, and provides access to two additional visualization and analysis tools: Lunar Mapper, a lightweight, web-based geographic analysis client; and the Integrated Lunar Information Architecture for Decision Support application, known as ILIADS, a downloadable desktop geospatial information system client. Both tools offer advanced data manipulation and analysis.
The Advanced Capabilities Division of the Exploration Mission Systems Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington sponsored the Lunar Mapping and Modeling Project to support the agency's efforts to make lunar data easier to use and readily available to mission planners and system designers, while continuing to support science, education and public outreach efforts tied to study of Earth's sole natural satellite.
The project is managed at the Marshall Center and is a collaborative development effort across NASA and other organizations, including NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif.; NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.; NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.; the United States Geological Survey in Flagstaff, Ariz.; the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, N.H.; Arizona State University in Tempe; and the University of Arizona in Tucson.
For more information about the NASA Lunar Mapping and Modeling Project, visit:
http://www.lmmp.nasa.gov
29, 2011, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities.
WORLD BANK NODS US$50MLN GRANT FOR AFGHAN TELECOM SECTOR
KABUL - The World Bank has approved a US$50 million grant to help the Afghan government expand connectivity, mainstream the use of mobile applications and support the development of the local information technology industry.
The individual development account (IDA) is meant for the Afghanistan Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Sector Development Project that builds on the success of earlier projects, the World Bank country office in Kabul said on Wednesday.
KABUL RESIDENTS TO HAVE COMPUTERISED ID CARDS IN 8 MONTHS
KABUL - Afghanistan will start distributing computerised national identity cards (CNIC) in eight months in the capital Kabul, a cabinet minister said on Wednesday.
Initial stages of the CNIC project, being jointly implemented by the information technology and interior ministries, have been completed.
TAIWAN'S ACER SORRY FOR SHARE PRICE DROP: CHAIRMAN
TAIPEI - Acer Inc. (TAIEX:2353) chairman J.T. Wang apologized to the Taiwanese company's shareholders Thursday for the drop in Acer's shares to the lowest level in two years.
Acer's share price slumped 46 per cent this year after it cut its forecast on April 20, saying that its second-quarter PC shipments will drop 10 per cent from the January-March period.
TAIWAN'S AUO SEES SHARES HIT BY WORSE-THAN-EXPECTED Q1 RESULTS
TAIPEI - Shares of AU Optronics Corp. (AUO, TAIEX:2409) took a dive in heavy trade Thursday after the flat panel manufacturer reported worse-than-expected results for the first quarter of this year, dealers said.
AUO closed down 2.82 per cent to NT$24.15 (US$0.83) with 81.74 million shares changing hands, while the benchmark weighted index was down 0.09 per cent at 9,040.77.
INDIA'S WIPRO TO HIKE WAGES BY 12-15 PCT FOR STAFF IN INDIA
BANGALORE - India's third largest software exporter Wipro Ltd (BSE:507685) on Wednesday said it will hike salaries for its employees in India by 12-15 per cent as it looks to counter high attrition.
The wage hike, effective June 1, will be to the tune of 2-4 per cent for onsite staff (at the customer site).
INDIA'S HCL INFOSYSTEMS POSTS 11.2$ FALL IN MAR QTR NET PROFIT
MUMBAI - Indian IT firm HCL Infosystems (BSE:500179) on Thursday reported a decline of 11.2 per cent in consolidated net profit at Rs 53.28 crore (US$12.01 million) for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.
The company had a net profit of Rs 60 crore in the same period last year, HCL Infosystems said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.
INDIA'S HEXAWARE TECHNOLOGIES POSTS MAR QTR NET PROFIT OF US$12M
MUMBAI - Indian software services firm Hexaware Technologies (BSE:532129) on Thursday reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 53.83 crore (US$12.14 million) for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, vis-a-vis the same period last year.
The company had registered a net profit of Rs 11.55 crore in the same period a year earlier, Hexaware Technologies said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
CHINA'S Q1 ELECTRONICS, IT INDUSTRIAL FIXED-ASSET INVESTMENT UP
BEIJING - The fixed-asset investment in China's electronics and information technology industry has maintained vigorous growth since the second half of 2010, and topped 144 billion yuan (US$22.15 billion) (covering only projects involving investment exceeding 5 million yuan each) in the first half of this year, up 82.4 per cent year on year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
The industry's fixed-asset investment in March surged 91.8 per cent year on year to 82.35 billion yuan, with the growth rate 51.7 percentage points higher than the same period of last year. Meanwhile, new fixed assets of the industry amounted to 59.37 billion yuan, soaring 85.8 per cent year on year.
AUST FOOTBALL LEAGUE MATCHES TO BE BROADCAST UNDER NEW TV DEAL
MELBOURNE - Starting next year, every Australian Football League game for the next five seasons will be broadcast live under the new TV and internet rights deal which was finalised on Thursday.
All games will be shown live on pay TV provider Foxtel, with Channel Seven holding the rights to the four premium matches each week on Friday night, Saturday afternoon and night and Sunday afternoon.
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CASH registers used to make a noise that said "money"-levers crunching, bells ringing, drawers springing open. No longer. Bar codes, the alternating black-and-white stripes on shop goods, even newspapers, and the lasers that read them have silenced the old-fashioned sound of selling. Yet quiet contentment is not always the response of shopkeepers.
Although bar codes have revolutionised the way retail chains manage their suppliers, allowing them to reap the profits of just-in-time delivery and smaller inventories, they have also caused confusion. This is because the information associated with bar codes that retailers and suppliers rely upon to identify the goods they want to order and invoice has developed haphazardly. Now software companies are trying to deal with this bar-code babble, and introduce industry-wide standards.
Although all bar codes contain some common information, such as a general description of the product, they have space for only so much detail. To supplement these messages, manufacturers, distributors and retailers add their own descriptions (including prices), stored in computer systems along with the associated bar codes.
The problem is that there are no common rules about what to include in these descriptions or how it is presented. ACNielsen, a market-data group, found that 14 different retailers in Britain alone each have their own description of the same squeezy bottle of Heinz salad cream. The resulting confusion costs shops tens of millions of pounds a year. Up to a fifth of a typical consignment to a supermarket is returned, because shopkeepers and suppliers have misunderstood each other.
Until recently, this was costly, but not catastrophic. Most retailers had enough stock even if suppliers delivered the wrong product. But as supermarkets continue to cut their inventories, misplaced orders can leave gaping holes on their shelves. Three years ago, Tesco, Britain's biggest supermarket chain, held around 11 weeks' worth of products in its shops and warehouses. Now it has only two weeks' reserves. Moreover, growth in home-shopping and ordering on the Internet is putting pressure on distributors to get orders right the first time, since consumers are less forgiving than retailers.
A solution may now be in sight. Next week UDEX, a British software company backed by 3i, a venture-capital firm, is launching a centralised library that puts product descriptions into a standard format. John English, UDEX's managing director, compares the new classifications to a common currency that all parts of the supply chain can deal in.
The system, which will be available on a secure website, will include details such as ingredients and calorie content. That is more than is needed to fill a simple order, but could help track consumer trends. Easy access to common classifications will also speed the flow of data along the supply chain, which is increasingly important to manufacturers and retailers. At one time both would hold information about sales and market shares close to their chests. But pooling information gives manufacturers a clearer view of the market, at a time when they are marketing whole categories of products, rather than just individual brands. It also helps retailers compete for customers by responding minute by minute to what is flying off their shelves.
Whether UDEX's classification will be useful for all goods remains to be seen. Well-defined categories with powerful brands, such as soft drinks and detergents, fit easily in the UDEX taxonomy. But interchangeable local foods, such as dairy products or meats, are more difficult to describe accurately. To begin with, UDEX will probably cover only 50-60% of a supermarket's selection, according to Floris Van Dam, an analyst at ACNielsen.
The key to success is attracting enough users, since there is no point in creating your own language if no one else wants to speak it. The company is off to a decent start, with the system being tested by Procter & Gamble, Asda (a British supermarket chain), ACNielsen and Taylor Nelson Sofres (another market-research firm).
UDEX plans to charge its clients a $2,000 annual licence fee and a further $1 for each bar code downloaded from the system. The company hopes that as the euro is adopted and retailers become more international, its system will leap across borders to become the single European standard.
The internal USHA SNMP/HTTP agent board supports TCP/IP-based remote UPS monitoring and management over any Ethernet LAN, enterprise network or the Internet. The board can be quickly installed into the communications option slot of any SG, SSG or FN Series UPS and connected to any Ethernet LAN. Remote access is accomplished using common Web browsers or through network management software (NMS) using the supplied RFC1628 compliant MIB. The agent incorporates the latest SNMPv3 and Ipv6 security, providing secure IPsec encryption and peer-to-peer communications. The USHA implements IPv6 auto-configuration and is suited for IT and government applications. Falcon Electric Inc. www.falconups.com, 800-842-6940
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Wi-Fi TV Compared To Cable TV And Satellite TV At Wi-FiTVNewsblog.com
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- The business model of delivering Internet TV, pioneered by Wi-Fi TV Inc. (Pink Sheets:WTVN) and now being expanded globally at www.Wi-FiTV.com, is drawing comparisons with cable and satellite TV delivery and getting a big boost from a survey reported on today.
In a February 8, 2008 story by David Chartier (http://arstechnica.com), it is reported, "Americans are adopting new ways of watching their favorite TV shows faster than ever before, but the traditional television format is playing even less of a part. A new survey from Solutions Research Group finds that, in addition to the time-shifting wonders of DVRs, Americans are increasingly turning to broadband Internet to get their TV fix."
80 MILLION AMERICANS WATCH INTERNET TV
"In SRG's study entitled Prime Time is Anytime, groups of Americans aged 12 and over were surveyed this past November and the results compared to a similar survey from the fall of 2006, just in time for the fall sweeps' prime content. Between these two periods, the number of those surveyed who watched one of their favorite TV shows on the Internet nearly doubled, going from 25 to 43 percent. These numbers indicate that an estimated 80 million Americans are putting down the remote and picking up the mouse," reports Mr. Chartier.
"Going further, SRG's numbers suggest that 20 percent of the American online population watches TV on the web on a regular weekly basis, with just 14 percent of these same citizens taking advantage of video-on-demand services," the story concludes.
WEBCAST COMPARES CABLE, SATELLITE AND INTERNET TV
"The new survey shows in clear terms the potential of Wi-Fi TV's unique Social Internet TV[TM] platform as a means to deliver the next generation of TV. As a leader in bringing this concept online at www.Wi-FiTV.com, Wi-Fi TV will use this information to expand our business plan on a global basis," said Lisa Pahl, Director, Wi-Fi TV Inc.
In a webcast now online at www.Wi-FiTVNewsblog.com, Wi-Fi TV Inc. founder and Chairman Alex Kanakaris compares cable TV, satellite TV and Internet TV.
Among the comparisons made between Cable TV, Satellite TV and Wi-Fi TV where only Wi-Fi TV gets a Yes answer:
Does it allow easy viewing on laptop computers, desktop computers and wireless mobile internet enabled devices?
Does it allow you to watch anytime and anywhere?
Does it allow live text chat with others watching the same program?
Does it allow one step online shopping?
Is it available with no special equipment such as satellite dishes or cable boxes or special equipment installation?
Is it available with no upfront or recurring charges for basic service?
Are the same stations viewable anywhere in the world?
Can you multitask by watching TV and doing other things like checking your email all on one device?
Can your business own its own station with no restrictions on selling advertising or products and know that all consumers in your area will have easy access to your station?
Can you have unlimited connections at your home, office and work without paying any fees?
Can you link to virtual phone calls, video parties and on-demand videos?
Is it viewable in the formats that the most sought after demographics of TV advertisers- 18 to 24 year olds as well as the next generation of consumers- use as their primary communication tools?
Does it represent the future of broadcasting?
Also in the webcast, Wi-Fi TV Chairman Alex Kanakaris points out that the word Wi-Fi is now in the dictionary, which was not true when Wi-Fi TV Inc. was founded. He gives an overview of Wi-Fi TV revenue streams for 2008: Wi-Fi TV station sales, video and banner advertising, pay-per-view content, and product sales.
Wi-Fi TV is the first company to offer computer discs and USB drives that give the public free access to live Internet TV with live chat. Wi-Fi TV points out that this massive viral marketing drive inspired by the success of companies like AOL that obtained millions of subscribers in the early days of the commercial Internet through the distribution of free sign-up discs.
ABOUT WI-FI TV INC.
Wi-Fi TV(TM) is a pioneer of TV on the Internet. Wi-Fi TV Inc. has long touted the coming convergence of TV and the Internet, and provided the first online movie in December 1995.
Wi-Fi TV Inc. provides Social Internet TV(TM), a new generation TV delivery platform that has a geographic sphere out-distancing any traditional cable or over-the-air TV broadcaster.
The Wi-Fi TV website (www.Wi-FiTV.com) is the only place on the Internet where you can watch hundreds of TV stations and chat with others watching the same program in a live chat box directly under the viewing screen, and get breaking news for each country and category listed, and download a free dialer and make phone calls and host live video parties all on one website.
The Company was launched in 1995 and has been publicly traded since November 1997.
For information on purchasing a Wi-Fi TV Station send an email to info@wi-fitv.com or call 949-576-5011.
For press relations, contact Colby Marceau, 949-716-9397, info@wi-fitv.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements made in this press release which are not historical facts contain certain forward-looking statements; as such term is defined in the Private Security Litigation Reform Act of 1995, concerning potential developments affecting the business, prospects, financial condition and other aspects of the company to which this release pertains. The actual results of the specific items described in this release, and the company's operations generally, may differ materially from what is projected in such forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based upon the best judgments of management of the company as of the date of this release, significant deviations in magnitude, timing and other factors may result from business risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the company's dependence on third parties, general market and economic conditions, technical factors, the availability of outside capital, receipt of revenues and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the company. The company disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement. Wi-Fi TV and Social Internet TV are trademarks of Wi-Fi TV Inc. and all rights pertaining to these names are reserved. This press release shall not be deemed a general solicitation.
AMERCO , the parent of U-Haul International, Inc., Oxford Life Insurance Company, Republic Western Insurance Company and Amerco Real Estate Company, today reported its financial results for the second quarter and the first six months ending September 30, 2004.
Financial Results
Revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2005 were $578.5 million, compared with $627.5 million for the same period in fiscal 2004. Earnings available to common shareholders were $49.8 million, or $2.39 per share, compared with $40.8 million, or $1.97 per share for the same period last year.
Revenues for the first six months of fiscal 2005 were $1,129.3 million, compared with $1,207.6 million in the same period last year. Earnings available to common shareholders were $91 million, or $4.38 per share, compared with $65.3 million, or $3.15 per share for the same period last year.
Contributing to these results were solid growth at U-Haul; the exit of unprofitable insurance business at Republic Western; the deconsolidation of SAC Holding Corporation; and the absence of restructuring costs.
Moving and Storage Operations
Earnings from operations at U-Haul were $93.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2005, compared with $98.4 million for the same period last year. This represents a decrease of $5.3 million, or 5.4%, and is attributable to a change in the timing of recognizing current year insurance expense to better match revenues and expenses and to lost rentals resulting from multiple hurricanes in the southeastern part of the U.S. during August and September. "With the effect of the hurricanes largely behind us, we are back on plan," stated Joe Shoen, chairman of AMERCO. Earnings from operations at U-Haul for the first six months of fiscal 2005 were $169.1 million, compared with $164.2 million for the same period last year. This represents an increase of $4.9 million, or 3%.
Through six months, and despite the change in the timing of insurance expense recognition and the effect of the hurricanes, strong truck and storage rentals, along with increased fleet productivity had a major positive impact on the operating profitability of U-Haul.
Insurance Operations
Revenues at RepWest and Oxford declined $30.7 million and $54.4 million in the second quarter and first half, respectively, compared with the same periods last year. This primarily reflects the impact of RepWest's strategy to exit unprofitable non-U-Haul lines of business. Earnings from operations for the combined insurance companies were $2.6 million and $6.6 million in the second quarter and first half, respectively. This compares with losses of $12.4 million and $11 million for the same periods a year ago. Charges of $5 to $7 million, after-tax, will be taken in the third quarter at RepWest to cover losses resulting from hurricane damages in Florida.
Fiscal Year 2005 Outlook
"We have successfully concluded the first six months of fiscal 2005," stated Joe Shoen, chairman of AMERCO. "Net earnings available to common shareholders were 39 percent above those recorded for the first six months of fiscal 2004. Cash flow measures such as EBITDA and EBITDA adjusted for lease expense are also higher than what was recorded for the first half of our last fiscal year. Performance at U-Haul remains strong. Continued growth from increased rentals of trucks, trailers and self-storage rooms, as well as increased sales of moving and storage related products and services are improving the Company's operations. Our focus for the remainder of fiscal 2005 is to control costs while building momentum at our moving and storage operations and reduce losses at our property and casualty insurance business," concluded Shoen.
AMERCO will hold its investor call for the second quarter on Monday, November 15, 2004, at 1 p.m., Mountain Time. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet at http://www.amerco.com/. To hear a simulcast of the call, or a replay, visit http://www.amerco.com/.
AMERCO is the parent company of Republic Western Insurance Company, Oxford Life Insurance Company, Amerco Real Estate Company and U-Haul, the nation's leading do-it-yourself moving company with a network of over 14,900 locations in all 50 United States and 10 Canadian provinces. The 59-year old industry giant has the largest rental fleet in the world, with over 94,000 trucks, 75,000 trailers and 35,000 tow devices. U-Haul has also been a leader in the storage industry since 1974, with over 340,000 rooms and more than 28.8 million square feet of storage space and over 1,000 facilities throughout North America.
Certain of the statements made in this press release regarding our business constitute forward-looking statements as contemplated under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated as a result of various risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. For a brief discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may affect AMERCO's business and future operating results, please refer to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, which will be filed with the SEC.
AMERCO AND ITS CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES FINANCIAL DATA SUMMARY Quarters Ended September 30 2004 2003 (In thousands, except per share data) Revenues $578,548 $627,457 Earnings from operations $104,193 $98,990 Net earnings $53,059 $44,025 Earnings available to common shareholders $49,818 $40,784 Basic and Diluted EPS $2.39 $1.97 Six Months Ended September 30 2004 2003 (In thousands, except per share data) Revenues $1,129,259 $1,207,573 Earnings from operations $195,381 $174,550 Net earnings $97,478 $71,761 Earnings available to common shareholders $90,996 $65,279 Basic and Diluted EPS $4.38 $3.15
CONTACT: Jennifer Flachman, Director, Investor Relations of AMERCO, +1-602-263-6568, Flachman@amerco.com
Web site: http://www.amerco.com/
Byline: Ed Sherman
You can't play defense in golf.
Don January could only watch helplessly as he witnessed Jerry Barber hole three putts of legendary proportion en route to winning the 1961 PGA Championship at Olympia Fields.
"There is not a thing you can do," said January, who lost to Barber in an 18-hole playoff the day after Barber tied him with his long-distance putting exhibition. "The hardest part is trying to not let it bother you. It wasn't just those last three holes. It happened all day long. ... All you can do is tell yourself, `It happened. Forget it and take care of your own business.' That's what I tried to do. Sometimes you wonder if destiny has a part in it."
The 45-year-old Barber, who stood just 5-foot-5, holed putts of 20, 40 and 60 feet on the final three holes of regulation in one of the most electrifying stretches of major tournament golf history to earn his spot in the playoff.
"This bare recital of the facts, however, does not contain the three successively stunning putts of 20, 40 and 60 feet on the 70th, 71st and 72nd green by which the indomitable Barber wrested the tie from certain defeat," wrote Chicago Tribune golf editor Charles Bartlett.
The next day, Barber's hot putting continued. He defeated January by a shot with a 67.
January eventually bounced back to win the 1967 PGA in Denver, played on two Ryder Cup teams and won the Vardon Trophy at 46. He was one of the founders of the PGA's Champions Tour. Barber, who was then the oldest player to win a major, won seven PGA Tour events and played the Ryder Cup team as the result of his victory at Olympia Fields. Both players played on the Senior PGA Tour but didn't talk about what happened at Olympia Fields.
The third round had been rained out on Saturday, so the field had to play 36 holes on the final day. January took the 54-hole lead by two shots over Barber with a 67 at 5-under 205. The 31-year-old Texan birdied the first hole of the final round to go three up on Barber, a native of Woodson, Ill.
Barber appeared to be crumbling under the final-round pressure. On the classic third hole, which will be the 12th for the 2003 U.S. Open, Barber drove into trees and had to reverse a wedge to dislodge his ball from a tree root. His third shot was a 4-wood that was 50 yards short of the green. His pitch shot landed about 4 feet short of the flag and rolled into the hole. Destiny, anyone?
"From there on," Bartlett quoted Barber, who died in 1994, "I kept going back to that hole and telling myself, `If you can get a break like that when you're three shots down, you've got a chance to catch him yet.'"
Barber fell four back with a bogey on the fifth, but he birdied Nos. 7 and 9 to get back within two.
Destiny again came into the picture on the 10th, which Bartlett described as "appalling." Barber double-bogeyed the hole after a 90-yard tee shot found the water. He saved a 6 with an 18-foot putt, but was again four shots behind.
"With a four-shot lead," January recalled, "I thought there was no way he was going to get me. But sure enough, there was a way."
A January bogey and Barber's 20-foot birdie putt on the 16th cut the lead to two. Barber chunked another tee shot on the 17th but bailed himself out with his 40-footer for par.
Standing on the 18th with a two-shot lead, January drove into a fairway bunker and needed two more shots to reach the green. Barber hit a good tee shot and a 3-iron to 60 feet to set the stage for history. He rolled in the cross-country putt, which some paced off as "only" 52 feet, to put the pressure on January.
January missed a 12-footer for par and was forced into the playoff.
"You don't try to pay much attention to it while it's happening," January said. "Afterward, you get to recounting it and you think, `My goodness! What went on?'"
The next day Barber twice came back from two-shot deficits and birdied three of the last six holes to win 67-68. January, who was bothered by Barber's slow play during the five-hour round, bogeyed the 18th.
After the playoff, January and his wife Patricia, who was eight months pregnant, and their two children drove straight through to their Dallas home. It was a long ride and an even longer recovery period for January.
"It took a while," January said. "It doesn't creep up during your play. It creeps up off the course. I think that affects the way you play. I guess it's like getting paint on your hands if you don't have turpentine to get it off. If you use enough soap and water, it comes off a month later.
"I didn't sleep much for quite a while. It just bothers you. You just think, `Golly, what in the world did I do to warrant all of that?' The answer is I did nothing. I could have stopped it if I had just made a par, but he could have stopped it if I had missed one of those long putts."
___
(c) 2003, Chicago Tribune.
Visit the Chicago Tribune on the Internet at http://www.chicago.tribune.com/
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
M2 PRESSWIRE-17 September 2003-UK Government: Modern voting methods extended to European elections(C)1994-2003 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD
RDATE:09172003
Measures to allow piloting of innovative voting methods at next year's European Parliamentary elections were unveiled today in legislation aimed at improving voter access and convenience. The European Parliamentary and Local Elections (Pilots) Bill also provides for pilots at local elections where these take place on the same day as elections for the European Parliament. Subject to an order by the Secretary of State, it is expected that the European Parliamentary elections will occur on 10th June 2004.
The Government hopes to pilot all-postal voting in up to three regions. In addition, one of these regions may also be suitable for piloting internet or telephone voting. The Government has asked the Electoral Commission to recommend where next year's all-postal voting pilots should take place, and where an electronic element could be included. The Commission will begin its consultation shortly and has been asked to report on Monday 8th December 2003.
To address any implementation issues, the Government has launched a nine week public consultation to seek comments from local authorities and other interested parties about the proposals.
This year's local election pilots were popular and successful, with turnout in all-postal ballots running at nearly 50% compared with the average of just over 33% across England. The Electoral Commission published a strategic report on the pilots in July and the Government is publishing its formal response to this document today. Overall, the Government welcomes the recommendations made by the Commission and, in particular, now intends:
-- To consult on making all-postal ballots the normal method of voting at local elections.
-- To promote further e-voting pilots on a larger scale to better assess their value for money.
-- To adopt several other electoral innovations for local elections, including barcodes and new types of security marks on ballot papers and electronic counting.
Christopher Leslie, Minister at the Department for Constitutional Affairs said: "The Bill introduced today will allow important pilots of innovative voting methods to continue at local government elections and to take place at European Parliamentary elections for the first time.
"It is both a continuation and an extension of our policy to modernise the electoral system and make voting more convenient and accessible to all. Previous pilots at local elections have been very successful and this Bill represents a significant scaling up of the programme to make voting easier and more practical." Nick Raynsford, Local Government Minister, added: "I was very pleased by the successful outcome of the pilots held at the local elections this year, and that the Electoral Commission's strategic report recognises this result. It is very important that we can maintain the momentum that has built up from these successful pilots in 2004, so I welcome the introduction of the Bill today. I fully expect that pilots at the European elections will boost the level of democratic involvement, just as they have at a local level."
Notes to Editors
1. Under section 10 of the Representation of the People Act 2000, local authorities in England and Wales are able to submit a proposal to the Secretary of State to run pilot schemes of innovative electoral procedures at local government elections. Section 10 was couched in broad terms to cover various innovative voting methods.
2. Since 2000, the Government, in partnership with the independent Electoral Commission, Local Government Association and local authorities, has been promoting a successful programme of pilot schemes, encompassing all-postal and electronic voting, electronic counting, and other electoral innovations.
3. In 2003, 59 pilot schemes were held across 61 local authorities, covering more than 6.4million electors. Average turnout in the 33 all-postal elections was 49.4%. In the 17 e-voting areas, more than a quarter of all voters was cast electronically. All the pilot elections successfully delivered an election result.
4. The Electoral Commission has a statutory duty to evaluate every pilot. It also produces an annual strategic review. These reports are available at http://www.electoralcommission.gov.uk/about-us/publications.cfm. The Government published its formal response today.
5. This year's strategic report recommended that all-postal voting should become the normal method of voting at local elections. It also recommended that a number of administrative innovations, such as barcodes and watermarks on ballot papers, and electronic counting should be made available for use at any local election. It said that e-voting methods should be piloted further, particularly the Internet and touch-tone telephone channels.
6. The Government is keen to maintain the momentum built up in the local election pilots, and to scale up their size. However, there are no legislative provisions for piloting of innovative voting in relation to European Parliamentary elections. The Bill is intended to fill that gap, for the elections planned for June 2004 only, by allowing the Secretary of State to order pilot schemes in the combined and European elections.
7. The Bill will not specify the regions to hold the pilots, but will explicitly rule out consideration of London, and whichever European Parliamentary electoral region is to include Gibraltar (the Electoral Commission has recommended the South West. The Government is considering its response). The Bill will not extend to Northern Ireland.
8. There are nine European Parliamentary electoral regions in England, and one each covering each of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regions are coterminous with the local authority districts and councils, i.e. the boundaries of the European regions align with and do not cross the boundaries of the local government regions.
9. The UK turnout at 1999's European Parliamentary general election was 24%
CONTACT: Public EnquiriesTel: +44 (0)20 7944 4400WWW: http://www.odpm.gov.uk
((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).
Q Are maqui berries good for you?
A The recent craze over exotic "super-fruits" such as acai berries and mango-steen has food and dietary supplement manufacturers on the lookout for their next "superfruit" star. And the new destination on the "superfruit" map is the Patagonia area of South America, the home of the maqui berry. The Internet is already abuzz over "magic" maqui berries, which promise to help you lose weight, flush toxins, clear skin, boost energy, and even fight cancer. But is the maqui berry boom nothing but a bust?
Making sense of maqui science. The maqui berry (Aristotelia chilensis) is a small, purple berry that has a refreshing, yet not overly sweet taste. Legend has it that the Mapuche Indians of the region long used it as natural medicine for treating a number of ailments. Today, it's easy to find maqui berry juice or supplements sold on the Internet.
Very little scientific information on maqui berries has been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Scientists from Chile and Mexico performed a laboratory study on samples of maqui berries, publishing their findings in a 2010 issue of Food Chemistry. They identified numerous plant compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins and a proanthocyanidin, in the berry, which probably contribute to its very high antioxidant activity. And that's about all we know about this mysterious fruit.
However, a growing body of science indicates that antioxidants from plant foods may reduce cellular oxidative damage in the body, which may help protect against chronic diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular disease. In particular, anthocyanins--a group of more than 300 compounds responsible for the red, purple or blue colors of plants, such as blueberries, attract a great deal of attention from researchers. Anthocyanins are difficult to study because they react easily with other compounds, and scientists still need to understand how they are utilized in the body. Yet, various anthocyanins have been linked with benefits, such as visual acuity, anti-cancer activity, and protection against oxidative stress linked with the development of heart disease.
Beware of scams. There's no doubt that maqui berries can contribute a dose of health-protective plant compounds. But there's also no doubt that they are being peddled vigorously by some disreputable vendors who promise unsubstantiated health benefits if you consume their product daily--which may set you back about $30 a bottle. Until the science proves otherwise, EN would rather see you spend that money on a variety of colorful fruits and veggies to provide a rainbow of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in your diet every day.
Byline: Barbara Demick And Mark Magnier; Los Angeles Times
SENDAI, Japan -- To stay or go. To trust government reassurances or heed more alarmist warnings spread by the Internet of radioactive clouds wafting over Tokyo. These are among potentially life-altering questions being pondered by millions of Japanese in range of the crippled reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex.
The past 24 hours brought more disturbing news: another fire at the power plant's No. 4 reactor and a surge in radiation that prompted officials to suspend efforts to prevent a meltdown at one or more of the reactors. Japan's nuclear-safety agency said 70 percent of the fuel rods may have been damaged at the No. 1 reactor, and Japan's national news agency, Kyodo, said 33 percent of the fuel rods at the No. 2 reactor were damaged.
The government ordered hundreds of people who had ignored an earlier evacuation notice and remained within 12.5 miles of the plant to get out. Those within 19 miles were told to stay indoors.
Fukushima Daiichi's operator, Tokyo Electric Power, said officials are considering spraying water and acid by helicopters and firetrucks into the plant's reactors to prevent further radiation from leaking.
Yet, with each fresh report from the stricken plant and despite assurances that those farther away are not at great risk, people living beyond the evacuation zone, including some in Tokyo 170 miles to the south or in Sendai about 50 miles north, have decided to depart.
"The first few days I wasn't that worried about the nuclear situation, but now I'm getting worried. It's more serious," said Rotaro Sakai, 24, an engineering student in Sendai, who queued up at 6 a.m. to snag a coveted bus ticket to Yamagata, to the northwest.
People seem to be basing their departure decisions on a combination of technical assessments and emotional tugs, leavened with a healthy dose of skepticism over government credibility.
They pore over weather reports, to determine which direction the wind is likely to blow. And they intently study diagrams of fuel-rod cooling systems, weighing the staggeringly technical information against statements by authorities not to worry.
"It is difficult to make an objective decision," said Masatoshi Onodera, 67, a Sendai retiree who was squinting at a complicated diagram of a containment vessel on the front page of a newspaper. "As far as what the government is telling us -- well, I guess 80 to 90 percent of it is true."
Within families, there are debates about what to do: Yumi Matsuya, a housewife from Sendai, says she doesn't worry much about radiation, but her teenage daughters would like to leave.
"I'm scared," said Haruka, 16. "I worry about the effect on my body, about getting cancer later. And I don't believe the government. I think they're lying about something."
Distrust for official information is a legacy of a long history of alleged lies and cover-ups by Tokyo Electric, the plant's owner. The Japanese Cabinet's spokesman, Yukio Edano, is holding news conferences several times a day, on every occasion advising the public to "stay calm" -- what might be the national mantra.
"The government is making a decision about what information to release, balancing the public's right to know versus preventing a panic," said Richard Tanter, a senior research associate with the Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability.
In downtown Sendai, long lines formed at the bus station. The city is still largely without water, electricity and gasoline, making it increasingly difficult for people to drive.
Foreign countries have taken different approaches to the radiation threat. France has advised its citizens who are in Tokyo to leave, if possible. The United States has said Americans simply should follow the same procedures that Japan has suggested for its people -- in the event of a larger nuclear contagion, wearing masks, staying indoors and covering skin.
Even many normally patient Japanese are expressing deep irritation over the nuclear unease.
"We're worried, and the government attitude toward this accident has been very inadequate," said Hitomi Yamashita, 40, a railway-service desk worker employed in Sendai who grew up in Onagawa, about 15 miles closer to the wounded nuclear reactors. "They don't tell us what we should do, don't provide good advice. At school, there's very little explanation for our children. This is our children's health we're talking about. I'm very, very, very angry and very concerned about getting through the next little while."
Most people in Sendai have yet to formulate contingency plans, saying their skepticism of the government hasn't reached the level of active distrust. Nonetheless, many are taking small precautions.
Toshiko Tsuzuki, 55, said she bought face masks for her family as the possibility of fallout -- and stormy weather -- has increased. "We're afraid of rain and snow," she said. "We know from Nagasaki and Hiroshima, it can spread radiation when precipitation falls."
"I'm very worried about the nuclear danger," said Sayaka Takahashi, an office worker. "That's why I bought this hat," referring to a floppy beige fishing hat adorned with cartoon characters. "I hope it will help me cover up."
She also is betting that the 50 miles separating Fukushima from Sendai would provide enough distance to escape a looming peril. Her rough plan in case of disaster is to head toward Hokkaido, Japan's main northern island, although the gasoline shortage presents a problem.
"I don't want nuclear plants. I want natural energy or wind," she said. "On TV, the government says the nuclear plant should be all right, but I don't trust them. We now put our trust in chain letters."
These e-mails, circulated from account to account, offer advice supposedly from someone who knows someone working at a nuclear plant. Many tell readers to wear hats, keep their skin covered and use an umbrella, saying snow or rain shouldn't be touched after an accident.
"I don't know if they're true or not," said Asuka Kikuchi, 23. "But many people trust them more than the government."
The reasons for confusion are clear. In an NHK radio broadcast Tuesday morning, an announcer reported another reactor fire, the fourth in as many days. The station broadcast a correction minutes later: There had not been a fire. The first journalist then returned to the air to repeat that there had been another reactor fire. The broadcast then switched to classical piano and violin music.
Information from The Associated Press and The Washington Post is included in this report.
Key developments
Nuclear crisis: Japan suspended operations to prevent reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant from melting down after a surge in radiation made it too dangerous for workers to remain at the facility. A new fire broke out at the No. 4 reactor earlier Wednesday. Officials said 70 percent of fuel rods at the No. 1 reactor were significantly damaged, and news reports said 33 percent of fuel rods were damaged at the No. 2 reactor. Officials said they would use helicopters and firetrucks to spray water in a desperate effort to prevent further radiation leaks.
Deaths, missing: 6,000 people are officially confirmed as dead or missing, according to police. The latest confirmed death toll stands at 3,373.
Medical woes: Hospitals, short of medicine and supplies, are struggling to treat seriously injured or ill patients, and overwhelmed local officials have not been able to secure enough space for morgues and coffins. A blackout has made it impossible to create dry ice to pack bodies. Some 500,000 people have been displaced or evacuated.
Seattle Times news services
CAPTION(S):
Toshirharu Kato / Japanese Red Cross/IFRC via Getty Images: An image provided by the International Federation of Red Cross Japan shows civil-defense teams as they search for survivors Tuesday in Otsuchi. Rescuers pulled survivors, including a 70-year-old woman, from the debris more than 90 hours after Friday's magnitude-9.0 earthquake and tsunami. (0416225053)
Shiho Fukada / The New York Times: A woman cries Tuesday as she looks through a missing-persons list of evacuees at a temporary shelter in the devastated town of Kesennuma, Miyagi prefecture. (0416224732)
Kyodo News: A woman reacts to news of a relative's death in Kenennuma, Miyai prefecture. Japan's official death toll is 3,373. (0416216111)
The New York Times: The toll so far (_Ident_1)
Copyright (c) 2011 Seattle Times Company, All Rights Reserved.
In celebration of its 2nd year of success, SuperFastResults Internet Marketing Forum grants the public a sneak peak of the many, many advantages enjoyed by its members all over the world.
Sydney, Australia (February 23, 2011) - Most newcomers to the internet marketing scene are literally working 2 jobs at once; a career in the real world and an online business, which makes the learning process extremely difficult.
A little over 2 years ago, James Schramko and Andy Grand - now two of the most sought after internet marketing coaches, decided to create SuperFastResults.com - an internet marketing forum specifically designed to tackle the most common problems that internet marketers face and provide real strategies and solutions that work.
"My introduction to SuperFastResults forum came when I signed up to do James second UGPS or Underground Profit System workshop knowing nothing about websites, working, or selling online," recalls Belinda Faulkner who has been a member of SFR since June 2009.
The problem with the internet marketing space is that it is literally cluttered with worthless products from many marketers seeking to make a quick buck and newcomers are often the ones that fall prey to hype and smooth talk.
"There is enough money focus and rags to riches crap in the IM world," says Belinda "So it is no lie when I say I could not have made a cent online, or offered a web based consultancy service to business, or even considered making my own products (my big change in 2011) without the AWESOME FORUM."
"SuperFastResults has more REAL experts than any Internet Marketing community," says SFR founder James Schramko, which include SEO content and Press release expert Kerry Finch and keyword research wizard Steve Ovens, to mention a few.
Many hundreds of members of the forum regularly enjoy live Q & A webinars from James Schramko, Andy Grand and various top notch experts on different effective strategies such running a business, building systems, SEO, outsourcing, affiliate marketing, local business marketing, and traffic strategies both paid and free. Members may also take advantage of the 1 on 1 coaching that many of these experts offer for a reasonable fee.
"The forum is my failsafe option to ask questions, take advantage of the skills of the members and find everything to make my IM life simpler, faster, more automated, systemized and FUN!" claims Ms. Faulkner who has enjoyed and benefited from the many valuable resources found on the forum.
The most important aspect behind the success of the SuperFastResults is its safety from all hype and noise generated by thousands of marketers, eliminating the need to subscribe to dozens of IM forums and blogs and buy the latest internet marketing guides; everything marketers need to succeed online is right there.
"I look at what I knew as a shy woman who didn't even know what IM was, to what I know now. I have watched the forum, and us as members, grow from early days into the best IM community resource that exists." - Belinda Faulkner
SuperFastResults.com - A completely up-to-date internet marketing forum on the web headed by James Schramko and Andy Grand, that provides the most ethical and deeply professional mindset for both veterans and newcomers to the internet marketing scene.
Anyone can get free access to one of the most popular SuperFastResults Webinars when they sign up to the SFR Newsletter at: http://www.superfastresults.com/
Related LinksSuperFastResultsJames SchramkoAndy Grand
Keywords: Advertising, Internet, Marketing, Multimedia, Online.
This article was prepared by Marketing Weekly News editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Marketing Weekly News via VerticalNews.com.
Byline: MichaelLiedtke Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO -- Google thought it was doing a good deed last month when it opened an annual art contest to more kids across the U.S. The gesture instead has turned into another opportunity for Google's critics to question if the Internet search leader is overstepping privacy boundaries by seeking too much information from its users.
In this case, Google initially asked parents to provide the final four digits of their children's Social Security numbers along with their dates and cities of birth to ensure there were no duplicate entries.
After school administrators, parents and a children's group balked, Google dropped the request for the partial Social Security numbers. The change occurred Feb. 18, about halfway through the two-month entry window for the fourth annual "Doodle 4 Google."
But Google's about-face evidently didn't satisfy Bob Bowdon, the director of a documentary about problems in the public education system. In a commentary published this week on the Huffington Post website, Bowdon asserted Google conceivably could figure out all nine digits of the children's Social Security numbers and create a database that could turn into a gold mine of personal information.
Although there was no evidence of Google manipulating the data, other critics pounced in blog postings and wondered whether the company had violated its "don't be evil" motto.
At the very least, the backlash demonstrates Google needs to monitor its employees more closely to ensure they are sensitive to the privacy concerns.
Byline: JEAN HOPFENSPERGER; STAFF WRITER
It was one of the high points -- or low points -- of the Super Bowl TV commercials. Actor Timothy Hutton seriously explains to viewers the plight of the Tibetan people against a visual backdrop of scenes from Tibet.
Suddenly Hutton is sitting in a restaurant, adding, "But they still whip up an amazing fish curry!"
The ad, for a Himalayan restaurant in Chicago, was sponsored by Groupon, the nation's leading Internet group coupon site. While most viewers didn't realize it, they were witnessing one of the ever-growing marriages between group coupons and U.S. charities.
Although not apparent, Groupon was raising money for the Tibet Fund and three other charities during the Super Bowl.
Promoters argue these are "win-win-win situations"-- for the consumer, the advertised business and the charity. But nonprofit leaders warn consumers to do some digging before donating, Some coupon sites donate little. Others much more.
"It's a strategy that can be used well -- or poorly," said David Hessekiel, president of the Cause Marketing Forum, based in New York. "A nonprofit has to look deeply at why they are getting involved in it and what they will get out of it. What is good or bad often depends on the execution."
The discount coupon sites, which typically offer a deal-a-day ranging from pizzas to pilates classes, have become wildly popular. And with funding drying up on all fronts, nonprofits are eager to try new strategies.
In Portland, Ore., a website called "CauseOn" was launched last fall, with plans to expand to 45 cities. "Deals for Deeds" started in Washington, D.C., last spring. "The Blind Squirrel" launched in Minnesota in November.
The Blind Squirrel already has an impressive list of nonprofit partners, including the St. Paul Winter Carnival's sponsor and CommonBond Communities, a major low-income housing developer.
"It's something new and different," said Lou Harvin, spokesman for the American Cancer Society's Minnesota chapter, which is signing on next week. "We always try to be on the cutting edge of technology. We'll see how it goes. But we expect it to be a great new tool."
Click and give
For those uninitiated into the world of group coupon sites, here's roughly how they work. A website offers discount deals for one of its business "partners," say 50 percent off a restaurant dinner. It blasts online announcements to registered subscribers. People purchase the deal online. Part of their transaction often ends up as a donation to charity.
The St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, sponsor of the St. Paul Winter Carnival, decided to test these fundraising waters in November when it joined forces with the Blind Squirrel, said Beth Pinkney, foundation president.
The firm offered the Winter Carnival anywhere from 20 to 40 percent of its profits from coupon sales linked to the Winter Carnival. (The company receives half of the coupon revenue.) The exact percent donated would be based on how heavily the Winter Carnival promoted the concept and whether it had the Blind Squirrel create its own website for its donors.
The Blind Squirrel, meanwhile, received access to thousands of potential customers, and an opportunity to share their names, ZIP codes and e-mail addresses with participating merchants, said Stuart Graham, CEO of Blind Squirrel. It will also help nonprofits pump up their databases by referring them to "friends" of their customers.
Pinkney said she's been pleased with the partnership.
"Especially in these challenging times, we are always looking for ways to fund our programs that don't require more time and work from our staff," she said.
During its kickoff month in December, the foundation earned $2,000 from the website, said Pinkney, though the foundation did little publicity. She did not have figures for January.
The Twin Cities has been a very receptive market, said Graham, a San Diego businessman. The Blind Squirrel's contact list is already 80,000, he said, and it is expected to hit 240,000 in the next three months.
The Twin Cities also is one of the hottest markets for both Groupon and Living Social, the two major coupon players, staff said.
Read the fine print
But Jon Pratt, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, advises nonprofits and donors to research how much support charities actually receive. There are different models.
Groupon, for example, has a "G-Team" linking volunteers to different causes. It also runs fundraisers for select charities with donations matched by outside philanthropists. And for the Super Bowl, Groupon donated up to $100,000 in matching funds for donations made to four featured charities.
Living Social, meanwhile, offers a "12 Days of Giving" during the holidays, contributing 1 percent of its revenues for 12 days to charities. That figure was $130,000 last year, staff said.
That relatively small figure points to the fine print that consumers should heed, nonprofit leaders say. If a company offers to give "4 percent" to charity, for example, is it 4 percent of the value of the coupon? Or 4 percent of the company's share? And what is the company's share?
Charities also need to make sure there isn't a "cultural mismatch" between their mission and the products and services provided -- or even the name of the website, said Pratt.
"Would the Animal Humane Society want to advertise with The Blind Squirrel?" he asked.
Likewise, nonprofits can run the risk of over-commercializing their cause, they said.
"As a nonprofit, you're always protective of your donors," said Lisa Lane, development director at the Neighborhood House in St. Paul. "You don't want to be part of the din. You approach with caution."
That the humble coupon has evolved into a charity fundraising phenomena isn't surprising to some. Americans respond well to businesses "with a heart." And since the coupon sites have no tangible products, their charity model can set them apart.
"Clearly, something needed to be done to differentiate one [site] from the other," said Mike Hollywood, director of new media at Cone Inc, a national leader in cause marketing research. "There's only so many yoga studios in Boston you can promote. It sweetens the deal."
Jean Hopfensperger - 612-673-4511
