NASA's 'Mohawk Guy' Explains the Thrill of Exploring Mars

Spotted at the State of the Union address, Bobak Ferdowsi, the Mars Curiosity flight engineer famous for his hairstyle, describes his role as an ambassador for Mars

By Philip Yam

Image: NASA JPL

?WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Not too many NASA engineers get to sit with the First Lady at the State of the Union address. But having an unusual haircut certainly doesn't hurt in getting you noticed, especially if you are the flight director for the Mars Curiosity mission. Bobak Ferdowsi, better known as Mohawk Guy, caught many people's attention, including that of Michelle Obama, when television cameras caught the 33-year-old in the control room as Curiosity made its spectacular landing last August 6, 2012.

His distinctive look and infectious enthusiasm has led him to reach out to the public to spread the word on the excitement of Martian exploration. At a briefing organized by the White House office of digital strategy on February 13, he revealed how he got into Mars research and the reason for his hair.

[An edited transcript follows.]

What inspired you to become involved in the exploration of other planets?

As a child, it was the kind of thing I dreamed of doing. I saw the 1997 Pathfinder mission. It was the first time I had really seen live pictures of Mars. There was something amazing about seeing the human effort involved, to have something sitting there on another planet, that made me want to do it.

How did you get on the Mars Curiosity team?

In school, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. ?I went down the path of physics and aerospace engineering. At the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), I was lucky that they put me on the Mars Curiosity project at the very start. But I still didn?t know what I would do on it.

I told my boss, hey, I really want to work on this stuff, but I don?t even know what I?m good at yet. So I took an apprenticeship approach. Over the course of a few years, I did mission planning, some requirements development, testing, and operations. Along the way, without realizing it, I learned so much and learned a lot about myself. I learned I loved testing the rover. Trying to get one of these things to break is one of the best jobs I?ve ever had.

To name the rover, NASA conducted a contest. How do you think it turned out?

I thought the name, Curiosity, was a little cheesy at first. And now I absolutely love it. Curiosity is actually the perfect ?name. ?Here we are, and we?re using our own curiosity to explore the planet.

You have a full-time job operating the rover as flight director. How did you handle all the educational outreach?

It?s just a matter of a little time management. I love the outreach. I feel really fortunate for the opportunities to do more of it, like working with the Office of Science Technology Policy. When I give a tour of JPL, it's super exciting. It gives you energy to bring someone else into the picture and show them what you?re working on. And you realize, yeah, this is amazing; it?s not just a job. It helps motivate me and gets me pumped.

Concerning the Curiosity mission, what are you most looking forward to?

Until last week, it was the drillling into the Martian surface. The thing I'm really excited for now is that we?ve laid out the path we?re going to drive on and the places where we are gong to drill. We're seeing at least three or four different types of terrain there. I?m excited to analyze each of those terrains and get the story of Mars pieced together, because each of those terrains represents a different era and a different Martian environment. And we can get down to answering the question of whether Mars was habitable.

What are the odds of life on Mars?

I don't believe there's life on Mars today. I'm optimistic that maybe in the past there were some sort of simple-celled organisms.

What's the deal with your hair?

The hair became an ongoing tradition for me about five, six years ago, when we started doing these things called system tests. I was doing the software testing of the hardware.

Testing is kind of stressful. So with the system test coming up, I thought I'd do something fun. I decided I was young enough to have a Mohawk once in my life. And I also put an ST on my head for system test.

For launch, I went a little crazy. I dyed my hair so that the hawk went from gold to red, like a rocket flame. For landing, my boss sent an email poll to the team asking what my hair should look like. Some of the options were pretty bad. One suggestion was a reverse Mohawk. Ultimately, the team came up with red, white and blue.

Any plans to change your Mohawk hairstyle?

I think I was 26 when I first started it. I like to change things up, as you can tell from the colors in my hair that are changing. I?m sure there?ll be a point when it?s gone. No one wants to see an old grey-haired Mohawk guy.

Source: http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=c7ec28688d5e0178bbb89016b3f24c7d

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Florida beer battle brewing

TALLAHASSEE

Among all the high-minded legislative debate this year over education funding, whether to expand health care coverage to more people and reforming the voting system, state lawmakers will also be debating growlers.

For the uninitiated, this is a turf war over the size of beer containers. A growler is a reusable bottle filled at the tap.

A bill would legalize 64-ounce beer growlers in Florida. (AP photo)

Although Tallahassee is run by the Republicans ? who espouse less regulation and more free markets ? one of the dirty secrets is that businesses and other special interest groups often use the legislative process and the state bureaucracy to literally box ? or bottle ? out their competitors.

Craft beer advocates are behind bill HB 715, filed by Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, that would allow breweries to sell 64-ounce growlers, the standard size in the rest of the country. State law currently allows only 32-ounce and 128-ounce growlers, which allow beer drinkers to take home beer that isn?t sold in regular bottles or cans.

It is reminiscent of a battle waged a dozen years ago by state Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, and former state Rep. David Bitner, R-Port Charlotte, who finally got a bill passed that upended a 36-year-old law restricting beer bottles to 8, 12, 16 and 32 ounces.

You might wonder why that 1965 law was passed. It was aimed at handcuffing Miller Brewing, which at the time was selling a popular 7-ounce ?pony? bottle.

The growler war will be fought by the craft beer lobbyists, who argue that allowing the popular half-gallon containers will help the young industry flourish in the state.

But they will face opposition from the beer distributors, who want to keep the current system, which is quite lucrative for them, intact.

The growler opponents will cloak their argument in health and safety concerns ? likely finding allies in groups that see larger containers leading to more alcohol consumption.

The bill is solely aimed at legalizing 64-ounce growlers, and would not resolve confusion over who can sell them, according to Ryan Terrell, a legislative aide to Edwards.

?We?re just attempting to deal with the size issue,? Terrell said. ?That?s where the economic development will come into place.? Current law seems to limit growler sales to breweries, while other states allow sales at brewpubs and even gas stations.

Past Democratic attempts to legalize 64-ounce growlers have failed, but this year Rep. Dana Young, R-Tampa, has signed on as a co-sponsor. Young?s district includes several up-and-coming craft breweries like Cigar City, which is using social media to promote the legislation.

The growler bill isn?t the only ?size matters? battle facing lawmakers.

Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, has a measure (SB 658) that would allow manufacturers and distributors to sell wine canisters up to six gallons in size to restaurants and bars. Current law restricts the size to a gallon and proponents say lifting the restriction will allow the hospitality industry to offer more high-end wines by the glass ? since the canisters keep the wine fresher than bottles.

Simpson said his bill is lifting a Prohibition-era regulation and would help wine manufacturers in Florida, including one in his district.

?This legislation would simply remove antiquated red tape that arbitrarily limits wine container sizes in Florida,? Simpson said in a statement. ?By updating these statutes, which were written just after the Prohibition Era, the Legislature would effectively allow Florida?s hospitality industry to proceed with custom tailored wine by the glass programs through innovative new methods and with technology manufactured within my district.?

Some 36 states now allow the canisters, said Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami, who is sponsoring the House version of the bill (HB 623).

Texas and Pennsylvania were the latest states to lift the restriction.

WINNER OF THE WEEK: Florida Republicans. Former state GOP chairman Jim Greer?s guilty plea avoided a trial that could have cast a glare of publicity on the unsavory inner workings of the state party during his tenure and embarrassed a number of Republican leaders. Former Gov. Charlie Crist, who is a now a Democrat, may have also benefited in that his role in Greer?s rise and fall would have been part of the trial.

LOSER OF THE WEEK: Florida Democrats. Party operatives were hoping Greer?s trial would have tarnished the GOP brand heading into the next major election cycle in 2014. Now the Republicans can put the scandal behind them as both parties focus on the upcoming governor?s race, Cabinet and legislative contests.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: ?Guilty, your honor,? former state Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer told a judge, pleading to charges of grand theft and money laundering related to a fund-raising company he created while he was the head of the state party.

Herald-Tribune Staff Writer Alan Shaw contributed to this report.

Source: http://politics.heraldtribune.com/2013/02/15/beer-battle-brewing/

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Frannywanny : a food and travel blog: New Year, New Drinks at ...

They say, first love never dies.

This rings true for my love for milk tea. More than 4 years ago, I first learned about Serenitea during one of our monthly publishers meetings. Our big boss told us that she tried a milk tea place in San Juan and it was pretty good. Being bonafide foodies, we wasted no time and in less than a week we were all able to try Serenitea. Back then, milk tea wasn't still part of one's food vocabulary. Sure, it has been around for decades...even centuries but it's normally found in Chinese tea houses or in Chowking as it's called Nai-Cha for instance. Who would have thought that one day, milk tea would rule Manila and Serenitea was the one leading the pack.

In time for the new year, Serenitea has launched 6 new drinks that I'm sure you'll all love as much as your old time Serenitea faves -- be it Hokkaido or Okinawa. A couple of food bloggers and I were lucky to be given a sneak peek on these yummy drinks a couple of weeks ago.

Here they are:

Tropical Yakult
As much as I love milk tea, Paul isn't so fond of anything with tea in it. Most of the time, I feel so bad sipping my cup of Hokkaido Milk Tea like there's no tomorrow while he just watches me enjoy. How's that for true love? Anyway, I was so happy when Serenitea finally launched Yakult-based drinks with fruity flavors. Finally, something Paul can drink and enjoy! This one had a citrus-y flavor which makes it so refreshing and perfect for the upcoming summer months. Lychee Yakult
To say that this was Paul's favorite would be an understatement. He had 3 cups of this in ONE sitting! Woah! Well, I don't blame him. We loved the sweet lychee juice blended with the milky Yakult. The flavor was very mild yet truly addicting. Serenitea Chaffe'
Do you love coffee? Do you love tea? Well this drink combines both and produces a very yummy creation! It's similar to the Ying Yang Drink that I would always get at Ya Kun Kaya in Ortigas before. ?On first sip and you'll immediately detect the sweet milk tea flavor followed by a slight bitter kick brought about by the coffee. It's really good and I'd love to have this with some Chicken Chops, please. Cocoa Green Tea Frost
I dunno why but I had my dear friend Didi in mind the moment I saw this drink. I guess it must be because she's the only person I know who loves Starbucks' Green Tea Latte very very much! Anyway, the technique in drinking this is to sip it straight from the cup as the green tea foam on top is quite thick and using a straw will just leave all the yummy green tea topping on the cup. The matcha wasn't very bitter which went well with the Assam Milk Tea base. Chocolate Pudding Milk Tea
Don't you just love trying the different sinkers with your milk tea? I always get my favorite QQ which is a mix of nata and pearls. However, for chocolate lovers, you might want to have your milk tea with Chocolate Pudding. It's sweet and yummy, it's every chocolate-lovers' dream! Cookies and Cream Milk Tea
I love anything with cookies and cream! Ice cream, chocolate bar and yes..on my milk tea! This got real crushed chocolate cookie crumbs mixed into a dollop of cream on top of your milk tea! It's like having a pack of Oreo with your milk tea!

It's amazing to see how Serenitea has grown through these years. Imagine, it all began in a tiny shop along J. Abad Santos and today, they now have more than 20 branches and their first one in Cebu opening soon!

Check out the list of Serenitea branches here.?

Source: http://www.frannywanny.com/2013/02/new-year-new-drinks-at-serenitea.html

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Pakistan army condemns killing of soldier by Indian troops

Pakistan military Friday condemned as ?inhuman and brutal? the killing of its soldier who had mistakenly crossed the Line of Control late last night.

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An army statement said that the Indian troops killed sepoy Ikhlaq even after he had identified himself.

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?Yesterday a Pakistan army soldier Ikhlaq lost his way between two posts and inadvertently crossed over the LoC in Kohi Ratta sector,? the army statement said.

?

It said that a few civilians present close to the incident saw him being questioned by the Indians, who informed own military.

?

?Indian authorities were approached to hand over our soldier, but when Director Generals Military Operations (DGMOs) of two countries spoke on the hotline this morning, the Indian DGMO revealed that he had been killed by their troops,? the Pakistan army said.

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However Indians have agreed to hand over his body today, the statement said.

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?We condemn such an inhuman and brutal act of killing our soldier after he identified himself and explained his position,? the army said.

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?This is not the first such event. We have returned Indian soldiers in the past, who had similarly strayed,? the statement went on to say.

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Sepoy Ikhlaq, 22, was the resident of Kalar Kahar Syedan in Punjab and had been serving in the army for four years.

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The latest incident is likely to heighten tension again that was subsided following escalations along the LoC last month after both countries accused each other of violating the 2003 ceasefire.

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Both sides had lost at least five soldiers last month.

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Pakistan had proposed UN inquiry into the violations but Indian rejected the proposal.

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Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar says that Pakistan has contacted the UN military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) and proposed investigation after India alleged that Pakistan had violated the ceasefire.

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?Pakistan abides by the ceasefire and follows the mechanism to deal with such kinds of issues,? she had said in Islamabad after Delhi?s accusation that one of its soldiers was beheaded.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Newspakistanpk/~3/L6adGzbxnLs/

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Canada's aboriginal affairs minister resigns

Published February 15, 2013

Associated Press

OTTAWA ? ?Canada's aboriginal affairs minister has resigned after improperly advocating to a tax court on behalf of a constituent he represents in Parliament.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced John Duncan's departure Friday afternoon. Duncan released a statement soon afterward explaining his decision. Duncan will keep his Parliamentary seat representing a Vancouver Island district.

In recent months, Duncan faced nationwide protests by the aboriginal community over treaty rights. He has suffered from poor health and was considered one of the government's less effective officials.

The position of aboriginal affairs minister is likely to take on a much higher profile in during a new round of negotiations over treaty issues and land-claims settlements to which Harper has committed. Heritage Minister James Moore is temporarily taking over the post.

Source: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/world/~3/QGbTYUfO0I8/

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Blade Runner Pistorius sobs as court hears murder charge

PRETORIA (Reuters) - South African 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius broke down in tears on Friday after he was charged in court with shooting dead his girlfriend in his Pretoria house.

The 26-year-old Olympic and Paralympic superstar stood with head bowed in front of magistrate Desmond Nair to hear the murder charge read out, then started sobbing, covering his face with his hands.

"Take it easy," Nair told him. "Come take a seat."

Prosecutors told the Pretoria court they would argue the shooting of 30-year-old model Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Thursday was pre-meditated.

The case has stunned a nation that reveres 'the fastest man on no legs' as a hero who triumphed over adversity to compete with able-bodied athletes at the highest levels of sport.

Pistorius is a double amputee who became one of the biggest names in world athletics.

Steenkamp, a model and regular on the South African party scene, was found shot dead in his plush home in the middle of a heavily guarded gated complex in the northern outskirts of the South African capital, police said.

The Afrikaans-language Beeld newspaper said she had been hit four times, in the head, chest, pelvis and hand.

"The security guards found Pistorius by Steenkamp's body in the bathroom," the paper said on its website, citing a neighbor. "The door had bullet holes right through it."

Early reports of the shooting suggested he may have mistaken Steenkamp for an intruder, but police said neighbors had heard noises before the shots and there had been previous "domestic" incidents at the house.

He said nothing during the 40-minute hearing. His father, Henke, and brother, Carl, sat directly behind him in the packed court-room, occasionally leaning forward to give him a pat on the shoulder.

Pistorius' mother died in 2002 when he was 15 years old - a tragedy that he said drove him into pursuing a full-time sporting career.

The hearing was adjourned until February 19 and Pistorius will remain in custody.

EMOTIONAL ICON

South African newspapers plastered Steenkamp's killing across their front pages, relegating a State of the Nation address by President Jacob Zuma in parliament to a distant second.

The coverage reflected shock and dismay at the fall of a sporting legend who commanded rare respect on all sides of the racial divides that persist in Nelson Mandela's "Rainbow Nation" 19 years after the end of apartheid.

"Golden Boy Loses Shine" ran a front page headline in the Sowetan, beside a picture of Pistorius, head bowed in a grey hooded tracksuit being led away from a police station.

Callers to morning radio shows expressed grief at the death of Steenkamp, who had been due to give a talk at a Johannesburg school this week about violence against women.

There was also widespread disbelief at the fate of a sportsman regarded as a genuinely "good guy".

"How is it possible for one so high to fall so low so quickly?" Talk Radio 702 host John Robbie said.

A 9 mm pistol was recovered from Pistorius' house, police said.

He was held overnight at Pretoria's Boschkop police station after undergoing medical and forensic examinations, police said.

"He is doing well but very emotional" his lawyer, Kenny Oldwage, told SABC TV, but gave no further comment.

South Africa's M-Net cable TV channel immediately pulled adverts featuring Pistorius off air but most of his sponsors, including sports apparel group Nike, said they would not make any decisions until the police investigation was completed.

Pistorius' endorsements and sponsorships, which also include British telecoms firm BT, sunglasses maker Oakley and French designer Thierry Mugler, are thought to be worth as much as $2 million a year.

OLYMPICS SETBACK

Pistorius, who was born without a fibula in both legs, was the first double amputee to run in the Olympics and reached the 400-metres semi-finals in London 2012.

In last year's Paralympics he suffered his first loss over 200 meters in nine years. After the race he questioned the legitimacy of Brazilian winner Alan Oliveira's prosthetic blades, but was quick to express regret for the comments.

Near the home, people who knew Pistorius recalled a much-loved local hero.

"Some of us were in tears," said Precious, who works at a petrol station where Pistorius used to fill up his McLaren supercar, signing autographs and picking up the tab for people in the convenience store.

"He was just so kind to everyone," said Precious, who declined to give her family name.

(Writing by Ed Cropley; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

(This story was refiled to remove extraneous word "the" from the second paragraph)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blade-runner-pistorius-faces-court-murder-charge-000433493--finance.html

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Crucial to Build Critical Thinking Skills in K12 for College, Career ...

Crucial to Build Critical Thinking Skills in K12 for College, Career, and Life

In 2011,?an unprecedented study?found?forty-five percent of students made no significant improvement in their critical thinking, reasoning or writing skills during the first two years of college. Many were stunned by the number of college students entering and graduating from college without critical thinking skills, a core 21st century skill necessary for making smart personal and professional decisions.

Even though the subjects of the study were second-year college students, this study also showed us that critical thinking doesn?t get enough emphasis in the K-12 classroom leading up to higher education. Learning to think critically is not something that can wait until students are in their young adult years when they are starting to make some of the most important decisions of their lives.

In the article ?Critical Thinking: A Necessary Skill in the Age of Spin,? former teacher Randy Kasten illustrates why maturing kids are especially in need of critical thinking skills to navigate their changing world.

??.Young people ? without significant life experience and anxious to fit in ? are especially vulnerable to surface appeal,? says Kasten.

Critical thinking is one skill that can keep kids? social and emotional pulls to surface appeal in check and help them make well-informed decisions.

Consider the decisions?students?make from an early age that have the power to?impact future outcomes. Kasten lists targeted advertising that creates their buying and eating habits, friends that help them make good or bad decisions, and romantic relationships that do or don?t end well. Strong critical thinking skills help students make healthy choices for their academic, personal, and professional lives.? It also gives them the courage to say ?no?, manage impulsivity, ?resist peer pressure and manage conflict diplomatically.

Developing critical thinking skills must be a priority for educators, students, and parents before students leave their K-12 education.

When and where do??you see students exercise their critical and creative thinking skills? What?is the cost when students??aren?t exercising their critical and creative thinking skills? Do you think critical and creative thinking skills could solve our nation?s ?innovation crisis?? What could strong critical thinking skills do for us in terms of solving problems around the world like poverty, AIDS, the aging population, the sex slave trade and the exploitation of workers on foreign shores?

Carol J. Carter

Carol J. Carter is a transition and success expert for fifth grade through college and career. ?Her best-selling college book, KEYS TO SUCCESS, is global success resource for freshmen in college. Visit her blog at caroljcarter.com and her company at www.lifebound.com.

___________________________

Source:

?Critical Thinking: A Necessary Skill in the Age of Spin,? by G. Randy Kasten. 2 March 2012. Edutopia. Accessed on 5 March 2012.?http://www.edutopia.org/blog/critical-thinking-necessary-skill-g-randy-kasten

Source: http://community.pearson.com/collegereadiness/college-career-readiness/crucial-to-build-critical-thinking-skills-in-k12-for-college-career-and-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=crucial-to-build-critical-thinking-skills-in-k12-for-college-career-and-life

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Yamana Gold: Strong Upside Potential From This Low Debt Producer

In the gold mining sector Yamana Gold Incorporated (AUY) is a leader and a company worth considering for your investment portfolio. While there are many different factors to look at and consider when investing, in the article below I will look at the debt side of the company. I will analyze Yamana Gold's total debt, total liabilities, debt ratios and WACC. From this analysis we should get an idea if the company is highly leveraged, how much it is paying for its debt, what it's paying in taxes and how much to expect in return for investing in this company over the long-term.

Gaining knowledge about a company's debt and liabilities is a key component in understanding the risk of a company. In 2008 and 2009 we were able to see some of the repercussions that highly leveraged companies with large amounts of debt succumbed to. Taking into account the debt side of a company might not reveal the "pop" on the upside that an investor would like, but it will help ensure that the company is able to keep its capital and use it for growth in the future.

All material is sourced from Google Finance, Morningstar and Yamana Gold's webpage.

1. Total Debt = Long-Term Debt + Short-Term Debt

Total debt is the sum of long-term debt, which is debt that is due in one year or more, and short-term debt, which is any debt due within one year.

• 2008 - $472 million + $84 million = $556 million
• 2009 - $529 million + $0 million = $529 million
• 2010 - $487 million + $0 million = $487 million
• 2011 - $432 million + $0 million = $432 million
• 2012 TTM - $766 million + $0 billion = $766 million

Yamana Gold's total debt has increased since 2008. In 2008, the company reported a total debt of $556 million. In 2012 TTM (trailing twelve months), the company's total debt increased to $766 million. This indicates a very minimal increase in total debt over the past 4 years. Over the past 5 years, Yamana Gold's total debt has increased by 37.77%.

2. Total Liabilities

Liabilities are a company's legal debts or obligations that arise during the course of business operations, so debts are one type of liability, but not all liabilities. Total liabilities is the combination of long-term liabilities, which are the liabilities that are due in one year or more, and short-term or current liabilities, which are any liabilities due within one year.

• 2008 - $2.827 billion
• 2009 - $2.959 billion
• 2010 - $3.055 billion
• 2011 - $3.325 billion
• 2012 TTM - $3.814 billion

Yamana Gold's liabilities have also increased over the past 5 years. In 2008, the company reported liabilities at $2.827 billion; in 2012 TTM, the company reported liabilities at $3.814 billion. Over the past 5 years, Yamana Gold's liabilities have increased by 34.91%.

In analyzing Yamana Gold's total debt and liabilities, we can see that the company currently has a total debt of $766 million and liabilities at $3.814 billion. When looking at the above numbers we can see how the recent acquisition of Extorre Gold Mines Limited (XG) for $450.9 million added to the company's total debt and liabilities. Yamana Gold's total debt has increased by 37.77% while total liabilities have increased by 34.91%. As the company's amount of debt and amount of liabilities have increased over the past 5 years, the next step will reveal if the company has the ability to pay them.

Debt Ratios

3. Total Debt to Total Assets Ratio = Total Debt / Total Assets

This is a metric used to measure a company's financial risk by determining how much of the company's assets have been financed by debt. It is calculated by adding short-term and long-term debt and then dividing by the company's total assets.

A debt ratio of greater than 1 indicates that a company has more total debt than assets; meanwhile, a debt ratio of less than 1 indicates that a company has more assets than total debt. Used along with other measures of financial health, the total debt to total assets ratio can help investors determine a company's level of risk.

• 2010 - $487 million / $10.299 billion = 0.05
• 2011 - $432 million / $10.770 billion = 0.04
• 2012 TTM - $766 million / $11.496 billion = 0.07

Yamana Gold's total debt to total assets ratio has increased over the past three years. As the total debt to total assets ratio have increased, this indicates that since 2010, the company has added more total debt than asset value. As the number is currently well below 1, this indicates that the company has more assets than total debt. Because this number is extremely low, this metric indicates very low financial risk to the company.

4. Debt ratio = Total Liabilities / Total Assets

Total liabilities divided by total assets. The debt ratio shows the proportion of a company's assets that is financed through debt. If the ratio is less than 0.5, most of the company's assets are financed through equity. If the ratio is greater than 0.5, most of the company's assets are financed through debt. Companies with high debt/asset ratios are said to be "highly leveraged." A company with a high-debt ratio or that is "highly leveraged" could be in danger if creditors start to demand repayment of debt.

• 2010 - $3.055 billion / $10.299 billion = 0.30
• 2011 - $3.325 billion / $10.770 billion = 0.31
• 2012 TTM - $3.814 billion / $11.496 billion = 0.33

In looking at Yamana Gold's total liabilities to total assets ratio over the past three years, we can see that this ratio has also increased. The ratio has increased from 0.30 in 2010 to 0.33 in 2012 TTM. As the 2012 TTM numbers are below the 0.50 mark, this indicates that Yamana has not financed most of the company's assets through debt. As the number has increased very slightly, so is the risk to the company.

5. Debt-to-Equity Ratio = Total Liabilities / Shareholders' Equity

The debt-to-equity ratio is another leverage ratio that compares a company's total liabilities with its total shareholders' equity. This is a measurement of how much suppliers, lenders, creditors and obligators have committed to the company versus what the shareholders have committed.

A high debt-to-equity ratio generally means that a company has been aggressive in financing its growth with debt. This can result in the company reporting volatile earnings. In general, a high debt-to-equity ratio indicates that a company may not be able to generate enough cash to satisfy its debt obligations, and therefore is considered a riskier investment.

• 2010 - $3.055 billion / $7.244 billion = 0.42
• 2011 - $3.325 billion / $7.445 billion = 0.45
• 2012 TTM - $3.814 billion / $7.682 billion = 0.50

Compared to 2010, Yamana Gold's debt-to-equity ratio has increased. The ratio has increased from 0.42 to 0.50. As the ratio is currently below 1, this indicates that shareholders have invested more than suppliers, lenders, creditors and obligators. 0.50 indicates a moderately low amount of risk for the company. As the ratio is below 1 and considered moderately low, so is the risk for the company.

6. Capitalization Ratio = LT Debt / LT Debt + Shareholders' Equity

(LT Debt = Long-Term Debt)

The capitalization ratio tells the investors the extent to which the company is using its equity to support operations and growth. This ratio helps in the assessment of risk. Companies with a high capitalization ratio are considered to be risky because they are at a risk of insolvency if they fail to repay their debt on time. Companies with a high capitalization ratio may also find it difficult to get more loans in the future.

• 2010 - $487 million / $7.731 billion = 0.06
• 2011 - $432 million / $7.877 billion = 0.05
• 2012 TTM - $766 million / $8.448 billion = 0.09

Over the past three years, Yamana Gold's capitalization ratio has increased from 0.06 to 0.09. This implies that the company has less equity compared with its long-term debt. As this is the case, the company has had less equity to support its operations and add growth through its equity. As the ratio is increasing, financially this implies a slight increase of risk to the company but as the ratio is only 0.09 this implies extremely low financial risk.

7. Cash Flow to Total Debt Ratio = Operating Cash Flow / Total Debt

This coverage ratio compares a company's operating cash flow with its total debt. This ratio provides an indication of a company's ability to cover total debt with its yearly cash flow from operations. The higher the percentage ratio, the better the company's ability to carry its total debt. The larger the ratio, the better a company can weather rough economic conditions.

• 2010 - $615 million / $487 million = 1.26
• 2011 - $1.226 billion / $432 million = 2.83
• 2012 TTM - $1.129 billion / $766 million = 1.47

Over the past three years, the cash flow to total debt ratio has increased. The ratio has increased from 1.26 in 2010 to 1.47 in 2012 TTM. As the ratio is above 1, this implies that the company has the ability to cover its total debt with its yearly cash flow from operations.

Based on the five debt ratios listed above, we can see that Yamana Gold has very little financial risk based on its debt and liabilities. Even though there has been an increase in the ratios thus indicating an increase of risk to the company from a debt point of view, the ratios are very low and show no signs of creating financial distress to the company. As the price of gold looks to be strong in 2013, the company should be able to make money on its assets and not be burdened by massive amounts of debt and debt obligations. The next step will reveal how much the company will pay for the debt incurred.

Cost of Debt

The cost of debt is the effective rate that a company pays on its total debt.

As a company acquires debt through various bonds, loans and other forms of debt, the cost of debt is a useful metric. It gives an idea as to the overall rate being paid by the company to use debt financing.

This measure is also useful because it gives investors an idea as to the riskiness of the company compared with others. The higher the cost of debt, the higher the risk.

8. Cost of debt (before tax) = Corporate Bond rate of company's bond rating.

• Senior debt notes rate of 5.53% with a maturity of December 21, 2014. = 5.53%
• Current cost of Debt as of January February 11th 2013 = 5.53%

9. Current tax rate (Income Tax Total / Income Before Tax)

• 2008 - $20 million / $429 million = 4.66%
• 2009 - $137 million / $317 million = 43.21%
• 2010 - $161 million / $552 million = 29.16%
• 2011 - $270 million / $818 million = 33.01%
• 2012 TTM - $343 million / $706 million = 48.58%

2009 - 2012 TTM 5-year average = 38.49%

From 2009 - 2012 TTM Yamana Gold has averaged tax rate of 38.49%.

10. Cost of Debt (After Tax) = (Cost of Debt Before Tax) (1 - Tax Rate)

The effective rate that a company pays on its current debt after tax.

• .0553 x (1 - .3849) = Cost of debt after tax

The cost of debt after tax for Yamana Gold is 3.40%

Cost of Equity or R Equity = Risk Free Rate + Beta Equity (Average Market Return - Risk Free Rate)

The cost of equity is the return a firm theoretically pays to its equity investors (for example, shareholders) to compensate for the risk they undertake by investing in their company.

• Risk Free Rate = U.S. 10-year bond = 1.95% (Bloomberg)
• Average Market Return 1950 - 2012 = 7%
• Beta = (Google Finance) Yamana Gold's Beta = 0.71

Risk Free Rate + Beta Equity (Average Market Return - Risk Free Rate)

• 1.95 + 0.71 (7-1.95)
• 1.95 + 0.71 x 5.05
• 1.95 + 3.59 = 5.54%

Currently, Yamana Gold has a Cost of Equity or R Equity of 5.54%, so investors should expect to get a return of 5.54% per-year average over the long term on their investment to compensate for the risk they undertake by investing in this company.

(Please note that this is the CAPM approach to finding the cost of equity. Inherently, there are some flaws with this approach and that the numbers are very "general." This approach is based off of the S&P average return from 1950 - 2012 at 7%, the U.S. 10-year bond for the risk-free rate which is susceptible to daily change and Google finance beta.)

Weighted Average Cost of Capital or WACC

The WACC calculation is a calculation of a company's cost of capital in which each category of capital is equally weighted. All capital sources such as common stock, preferred stock, bonds and all other long-term debt are included in this calculation.

As the WACC of a firm increases, and the beta and rate of return on equity increases, this is an indicator of a decrease in valuation and a higher risk.

By taking the weighted average, we can see how much interest the company has to pay for every dollar it finances.

For this calculation, you will need to know the following listed below:

Tax Rate = 38.49% (Yamana Gold's four-year average Tax Rate)

Cost of Debt (before tax) or R debt = 5.53%

Cost of Equity or R equity = 5.54%

Debt (Total Liabilities) for 2012 TTM or D = $3.814 billion

Stock Price = $16.02 (February 11th, 2013)

Outstanding Shares = 751.46 million

Equity = Stock price x Outstanding Shares or E = $12.038 billion

Debt + Equity or D+E = $15.852 billion

WACC = R = (1 - Tax Rate) x R debt (D/D+E) + R equity (E/D+E)

(1 - Tax Rate) x R debt (D/D+E) + R equity (E/D+E)

(1 - .3849) x .0553 x ($3.814/$15.852) + .0554 ($12.038/$15.852)

.6151 x .0553 x .2406 + .0554 x .7594

.0082 + .0421

= 5.03%

Based on the calculations above, we can conclude that Yamana pays 5.03% on every dollar that it finances, or 5.03 cents on every dollar. From this calculation, we understand that on every dollar the company spends on an investment, the company must make $.0503 plus the cost of the investment for the investment to be feasible for the company.

Debt Side Summary

All indications above reveal that Yamana Gold is a financially sound company on the debt side. Even though Yamana Gold purchased Extorre Gold Mines Limited in August for $450.9 million my analysis indicates that the company could afford the transaction without causing financial stress to the company. Because Yamana purchased Extorre Gold Mines, the analysis indicates a slight increase of risk to the shareholder from a debt point of view. Having stated this, the risk increase is very small and the overall risk to the shareholder from the debt side is quite low. The CAPM supports this statement by revealing that the investor needs 5.54% year-over-year over the long term to get good value on their money.

Cerro Moro project in Argentina

Even though the purchase of Extorre Gold Mines Limited in August 2012 added debt to the company's balance sheet, the project looks to be able to add significant earnings and production growth in the future. With the purchase of Extorre Gold Mines Limited came the Cerro Moro mine project in Argentina. Yamana Gold is expecting this mine project to add approximately 200,000 ounces of gold equivalent per year beginning in 2015 when they estimate production to begin. Yamana chairman and CEO Peter Marrone stated, "This would represent an increase in production of more than 10 per cent and additional growth in cash flow and earnings."

Analysts Outlook

Currently, many analysts have a positive outlook for Yamana Gold. Over the next five years analysts at MSN Money are estimating an average of 11.80% growth in earnings year over year, which is well above the industry average of 8.40%. On February 4th, analysts at Barclays gave Goldcorp a rating of "Overweight" with a target price of $22.00. A $22.00 price target signifies an upside of 37.32% from this point.

Summary

The above analysis reveals that Yamana Gold Incorporated is a very financially sound company on the debt side with upside moving forward. The analysis indicates that Yamana Gold did not overextend itself with the purchase of Extorre Gold Mines Limited and has set itself up nicely for growth in the future. Currently, analysts have a $22.00 price target on this stock. As the chart below indicates, this is excellent opportunity to invest in a financially sound gold mining company with future prospects and good upside potential.

Chart sourced by (finviz)

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. (More...)

Source: http://seekingalpha.com/article/1177851-yamana-gold-strong-upside-potential-from-this-low-debt-producer?source=feed

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nachman phulwani zimovcak applauds president ... - JD Supra

RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY ? The immigration lawyers and attorneys at Nachman Phulwani Zimovcak (NPZ) Law Group, P.C. commend President Obama for emphasizing the need for immigration reform in his State of the Union address on February 12th 2013. Focusing on the economic benefits of immigration and the consensus that is building around the need for immigration reform, the President noted the importance of a roadmap to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented, and the need for real solutions for the "legal immigration system to cut waiting periods, reduce bureaucracy, and attract the highly-skilled entrepreneurs and engineers that will help create jobs and grow our economy." He called on Congress to move forward and "get it done."

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Source: http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/nachman-phulwani-zimovcak-applauds-presi-58955/

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Pentagon stands by use of lithium-ion batteries on F-35 fighters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon said it plans to continue using lithium-ion batteries on the new F-35 fighter jet despite problems with similar batteries that have grounded Boeing Co's new 787 airliner and are causing Airbus to rethink their use on its A350 jet.

Joe DellaVedova, spokesman for the Pentagon's $396 billion F-35 program office, said on Tuesday that the lithium-ion batteries used on the new radar-evading fighter were made by different manufacturers than those used on the 787, and the jet's battery systems had been rigorously tested.

"The bottom line is the lithium-ion batteries used on the F-35s have been through extensive tests and have redundant systems to protect the aircraft and battery compartments; they are considered safe," DellaVedova said.

DellaVedova said there had been some irregularities with the lithium-ion batteries not starting properly in cold temperatures that were being addressed, but no issues affecting flight safety had come up during years of testing.

All 50 Boeing Dreamliners in commercial service were grounded worldwide on January 16 after a series of battery-related incidents, including a fire on board a parked 787 at Boston's Logan International Airport and an in-flight problem on another airplane in Japan.

The groundings have cost airlines tens of millions of dollars, with no solution yet in sight, and have sparked growing concerns among aerospace industry executives about whether the powerful but delicate backup energy systems are technically "mature", or predictable.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, which is examining the 787 fire in Boston, said it was looking at the total design of the Boeing 787 battery, built by Japan's GS Yuasa Corp on behalf of France's Thales SA, including the charging system, electrical interconnections, and their thermal isolation of different battery cells from each other.

BATTERY SAFETY

Two of the biggest lithium-ion batteries on the F-35 warplane are made by the French company Saft Groupe SA, which also makes batteries for Airbus, part of European aerospace group EADS NV. Saft last month expressed confidence that lithium-ion technology was safe.

But people familiar with the matter have said that Airbus officials are reconsidering use of the batteries on the A350, which would be the second large passenger jet to fly on lithium-ion batteries for backup electrical power after the Dreamliner, which pioneered their use in passenger transport to support an increasing array of electrical systems.

Airbus said last week it had a plan B for its battery and time to respond to any rule changes.

DellaVedova said military officials remained confident in the lithium-ion batteries used on the F-35, and there were no discussions under way to swap them out for heavier nickel-cadmium batteries.

Lockheed Chief Executive Marillyn Hewson last month underscored her confidence in the lithium-ion batteries, telling reporters that the batteries on the F-35 were made by a different company and had been tested extensively.

Lockheed spokesman Mike Rein said more than a dozen F-35 jets were wired with extensive monitoring equipment to carry out development testing and no flight safety issues had been detected with the batteries during over 6,000 hours of flight testing on the airplanes.

"We are monitoring our full battery system on a daily basis as we flight test. We have continual data updates, and we've had no indication that we are connected to the same issues that grounded the 787," Rein said.

The F-35's battery system has run into a different problem on the ground, with some airplanes failing to start during cold temperatures under 10 degrees Celsius, DellaVedova said.

He cited "minor irregularities" that had been traced back to a software issue in the jet's battery charger control unit, and a fix was in the works for new jets in production and would be retrofitted on earlier jets. The problem, he said, was not related to the batteries themselves.

In the meantime, he said, measures were being taken to warm the area near the battery on cold days prior to start.

One defense official said maintainers at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida were using space heaters in some to warm the jets, which required removing a panel of the plane's stealthy coatings. "It's not ideal when you're talking about a fighter jet that has to be ready to go at a moment's notice," said the official, who was not authorized to speak on the record.

Separately, the Pentagon's F-35 program office on Tuesday lifted a January 18 order that grounded nine F-35B developmental test aircraft after a fuel line detached just before a training flight at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

Vice Admiral David Dunaway, head of Naval Air Systems Command, was briefed Tuesday on the inspections of the faulty components, and could lift flight restrictions on 16 additional F-35B model jets being used for training as early as Wednesday, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

(Additional reporting by Tim Hepher in Paris; Editing by Edmund Klamann)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/pentagon-stands-lithium-ion-batteries-f-35-fighters-023716855--finance.html

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Minnesota Democrats mimic Obama's call to raise the minimum wage (Star Tribune)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories Stories, News Feeds and News via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/284609190?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Former NBA Star Mike Bibby Kicked Out Of Son?s Basketball Game [Video]

Posted: February 12, 2013

Phoenix, AZ ? The NBA?s Mike Bibby was escorted out of his son?s high school basketball game by police after arguing with the referees Friday night.

Bibby acted like some sort of hero upon being kicked out by cops as he received an ovation from the teens watching the game in the gym

His son, Michael Bibby, is a freshman point guard for Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix. Mike Bibby himself played for the same high school, and 20 years ago led the team to a state basketball championship.

ABC 15 columnist Paul Calvisi had some advice for Mike Bibby after being ejected:

?During games, Mike Bibby should act just like his #10 jersey that hangs on the wall of the Shadow Mountain gymnasium. Not make a sound. Simply watch. Be the strong silent type of parental unit.

?In other words, when an entire high school gym is abuzz with the presence of a former NBA star, the most important thing that Mike Bibby can do for his son and the rest of a young and impressionable team? Serve as a good example. ?

Deadspin described Bibby?s reaction after being tossed out this way: ?That?s the shit-eating grin of a man who has a long career as an insufferable basketball dad in front of him. Good luck with that, Mike Bibby Jr.?

USA Today expressed similar sentiments about Mike Bibby?s behavior that led cops to eject him from the game:

?On one hand, your dad is a former NBA player and state legend, making him one of the coolest parents around. On the other, he?s also apparently the dad who embarrasses his kid by making a spectacle of himself in front of all the kid?s classmates.?

After high school, Mike Bibby won a national championship with the University of Arizona. He then went on to a 14-year career in the NBA with the Vancouver (now Memphis) Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, and the New York Knicks. There are three generations of point guards in the Bibby family: Henry Bibby, Mike Bibby, and Michael Bibby.

[Top image credit: Keith Allison]

Source: http://www.inquisitr.com/520682/former-nba-star-mike-bibby-kicked-out-of-sons-basketball-game-video/

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Legendary opera singer Jessye Norman gives free program at Rollins College

Legendary opera singer Jessye Norman will give a free lecture at Rollins College this Wednesday, Feb. 13, as part of the college's Winter Park Institute.

"A Conversation With Jessye Norman" will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Tiedtke Concert Hall, Keene Music Building on the Rollins Campus, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park.

Norman, 67, will discuss her life and work.

"It is with enormous pleasure that I look forward to my visit to Rollins College, with the students as well as the general community," Norman said Monday. "In a time when the arts are being put aside in too many instances in the misguided idea that mathematics and science are more 'important' fields of study, it is marvelous to find a school where the arts are understood and fostered for what they are: the gateway to the culture of a nation, a community, indeed a people.

"The arts nourish all parts of us: our minds and our bodies. Let us celebrate the fullness of humanity in our embrace of the true depth of our spirits: art!"

Born into a musical family in Augusta, Ga., Norman learned the piano as a child. She pursued formal musical studies at Howard University, then later at the Peabody Conservatory and the University of Michigan. She made her operatic debut in a 1969 production of "Tannhaeuser" at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. She soon was seen on stages from Lincoln Center to Covent Garden, Carnegie Hall to La Scala, the Paris Opera to the Vienna State Opera.

Among her myriad honors: The French named an orchid after her and gave her the Legion of Honor, the United Nations made her an honorary ambassador. She's a lifelong member of Great Britain's Royal Academy of Music and she sang at Bill Clinton's 1997 presidential inauguration.

"Listening to Jessye Norman find her way into a song is like watching in wonder as a beautiful morning reaches the climax of noon," once wrote music critic Octavio Roca. "Warmth and blinding light are everywhere in her voice."

Launched in 2008, the Winter Park Institute sponsors public lectures, readings and seminars throughout the year. Upcoming speakers include activist and author Azar Nafisi and filmmaker Oliver Stone.

"Jessye Norman makes a wonderful addition to our spring schedule," said Gail Sinclair, executive director of the Winter Park Institute. "This season will be one of our most diverse yet, ranging from musical legends, to activists, to award-winning filmmakers."

No tickets are required for Norman's lecture. Free parking is available in the SunTrust parking garage at 166 E. Lyman Ave. For more information, go to http://www.winterparkinstitute.org or call 407-691-1995.

Source: http://feeds.orlandosentinel.com/~r/entertainment/stage/theaterblog/~3/9sDleEAMh-Q/os-jessye-norman-rollins-college-20130211,0,7069518.story

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Significant storm damage in Hattiesburg, Miss.

This photo provided by Jordan Holliman shows a tornado moving through Hattiesburg, Miss., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. Emergency officials say an apparent tornado has caused significant damage in Hattiesburg, Miss., after passing along a main road. Major damage was reported in Hattiesburg and Petal, including on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. (AP Photo/Jordan Holliman)

This photo provided by Jordan Holliman shows a tornado moving through Hattiesburg, Miss., Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. Emergency officials say an apparent tornado has caused significant damage in Hattiesburg, Miss., after passing along a main road. Major damage was reported in Hattiesburg and Petal, including on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. (AP Photo/Jordan Holliman)

Extensive damage at the University of Southern Mississippi on Hardy Street in Hattiesburg Miss., Feb 10, 2013 after a tornado passed through the city Sunday afternoon. (AP Photo/Hattiesburg American, Ryan Moore)

Emergency personnel stage near the University of Southern Mississippi along Hardy Street in Hattiesburg Miss., Sunday, Feb 10, 2013 after a tornado passed through the city. Major damage was reported in Hattiesburg and Petal, including on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. (AP Photo/The Hattiesburg American, Ryan Moore)

An overturned car lies in front of the University of Southern Mississippi campus in Hattiesburg, Miss., after a possible tornado Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Chuck Cook)

Two people are seen consoling one another in a shattered door way along Hardy Street in Hattiesburg Miss., Feb 10, 2013 after a tornado passed through the city Sunday afternoon, Feb. 10, 2013. Major damage was reported in Hattiesburg and Petal, including on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. (AP Photo/The Hattiesburg American, Ryan Moore)

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) ? A tornado tore through Hattiesburg on Sunday as part of a wave of severe storms that downed trees, damaged buildings and injured at least three people.

The twister traveled down one of Hattiesburg's main streets and mangled homes, commercial buildings and several structures on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. The state emergency management agency said it was only aware of three injuries in the state, all in a county to the west of Hattiesburg.

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency spokesman Greg Flynn said it appears that a single tornado caused the damage in three counties.

On the campus of the university, trees were snapped in half around the heavily damaged Alumni House where part of the roof was ripped away. Windows in a nearby building were blown out, and heavy equipment worked to clear streets nearby in a heavy rain after the worst of the weather had passed.

The university released a statement saying no one was hurt but that it was under a state of emergency, anyone away from campus should stay away until further notice.

East of campus, 47-year-old Cindy Bullock was at home with her husband and dog, a terrier mix named Vinnie, when she heard the tornado coming. They ran to a hallway and covered their heads. It wasn't long before the windows in the kitchen and bedroom exploded. The storm stripped all the shingles off the roof and left holes in it, while knocking over a large pine tree in the yard.

After dark, the Bullocks were trying to arrange their stuff inside so it wouldn't get wet from the dripping water.

"I just looked out the window and I heard the rumbling. It sounded like a train. We ran to the hall, and the kitchen windows and the windows in the bedroom exploded. It happened pretty fast," she said.

There were large trees blocking the road all through her neighborhood, and several of the houses were hit by falling trees. Her friend was staying with them after the friend's apartment took a direct hit from a falling tree.

To the west, Marion County emergency director Aaron Greer says three injuries have been reported in the community of Pickwick, about seven miles south of Columbia. He says two people were taken to hospitals, but the third didn't have the injury examined.

Greer says one mobile home was destroyed, three other structures have major damage and several have minor damage.

Gov. Phil Bryant plans to go to Hattiesburg on Monday to check out damage in the city and at USM, his alma mater, spokesman Mick Bullock said.

___

Associated Press writer Janet McConnaughey in New Orleans contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-02-10-US-Southern-Storms/id-a22bb53a2a1c43418a1e14b497da9dad

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How To Make Your College Career Successful

College is an experience that you are sure to enjoy. Your time in college can be even more enjoyable, though, if you take the time to learn some helpful tips. The article below offers you some advice that you can use to make the most out of your college career.

Try to do everything in moderation when you enter college for the first time. This means that you should not party too hard or work too hard during your experience. Have a lot of fun, but make sure that you understand you are going to college to learn and expand your possibilities for employment.

College is easier to manage if you approach studying as a full time job. Adopt a strict schedule and plan on studying for a certain number of hours a day. You have probably seen college students spending an entire night working on a paper but you can avoid this if you do not do your homework at the last minute.

Know yourself when signing up for classes. If you are not a morning person, don't schedule your classes first thing in the morning. Likewise, if you are not a night person, don't schedule night classes or labs, if it can be avoided. This will help you to be at your best and most alert during your classes so you can learn efficiently.

Read the syllabus that your professor gives you for every single class to understand exactly what you are getting into. This is vital, as it helps to give you an idea of the plan for the class, the work you will encounter and the breakdown for what you will be graded on.

If you are an adult going back to college, try signing up for night classes. The classes during the day time are full of young adults right out of high school. The night classes are usually filled with adults and students who are serious about their education. It will result in a much better college experience.

You should consider signing up for a work study program if you want to get some professional experience. Most work study programs will require you to alternate between taking classes and working as an intern. This is a good way to finance your education while gaining some professional experience and building a professional network.

Make a commitment to your education. If you go into school thinking of it like a big party, then that's exactly what you'll get out of it. And you more than likely won't last the four years. A lot of money is being spent on your education, so you need to commit yourself to your success.

When you first get to college, get a map. You will feel a little silly using the map, but you do need to know where to go, after all. Map out your classes and the cafeteria so that you can easily get around when you first begin. That can make your first days less hectic.

Flip-flops aren't just for politicians! Be sure to wear your flip-flops every time you use the dorm shower. They will protect you from getting athletes foot; however, don't stop there. Be sure to dry your feet thoroughly after showering and use a medicated powder. Pay special attention to the area between your toes. Be sure to store your flip-flops in such a way that they will dry thoroughly between uses. For example, you could hang them over a hanger in your closet if there is enough room for air circulation.

Be aware of the study resources available to you. Ask your professors, advisers, and school librarians about study resources for all your classes. This can be especially useful for classes you are struggling in. Never be afraid to ask for additional help with an area if you happen to need it.

If you are having any sort of emotional problems while in college, you shouldn't hesitate to visit your college counseling center. After all, that is what it is there for. Whether is grades, a break up or anything else that is troubling you, your counselor is there to help.

Wait until you go to class before buying your textbooks. When you start class, you will get a syllabus, and the teacher will talk to you about which books you need right away. You might be able get the book at the library, or you may be able to buy one book immediately and not need to buy other books until later in the semester. That will save you money.

You can have a successful and fun college experience. The advice shared here, if used, can ensure that your time spent being educated is one that you will like and one that will help ensure you are ready for your future career. College really can be a great experience.

If you find the idea of home schooling interesting you should take a look at:test anxiety tips or at: test anxiety tips

Source: http://articles.submityourarticle.com/how-to-make-your-college-career-successful-316120

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