| A Pivotal Week for Stocks
Since the peak on October 9, 2007, the S&P 500 has weathered a correction of 15.0%, while mid-cap stocks lost 15.8% and small caps fell 18.5%. Within the S&P 500, the Financials and Telecommunications sectors are in bear-market mode having declined more than 20% each. Consumer Discretionary issues are down nearly 19%, while the Consumer Staples sector has held up best, falling just 4.3%. Below the surface, one can see that the carnage is widespread, as only 11 of the 130 sub-industries rose during this nearly three-month decline. Six groups posted double digit advances (Agricultural Products, Coal & Consumable Fuels, Education Services, Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals, Gold and Health Care Facilities), while 119 sub-industries (92% of the total) declined; 97 of them (75%) posted double-digit losses and 38 (or nearly 30%) are now in bear market mode after erasing more than 20% of their values.
Missouri legislature has opportunities to assist those most in need
Missouri lawmakers should pursue Gov. Matt Blunt's proposals to help children and low-income working adults this session. Because of the governor's announcement that he won't seek re-election, his legislative agenda could suffer. In some cases, that would be just fine. The governor's call for a constitutional amendment to limit the authority of judges, for example, is a bad idea. However, Blunt in his budget recommendations finally suggested that legislators start repairing holes they put in the safety net for the poor and children in 2005. The proposed improvements in health care and social services should find favor, along with better funding of education. In 2005, legislators and the governor forced 100,000 Missourians, including 25,000 children, off state health insurance.
Out of net, Gratz doing it all as MAHL coach
When the doors to the public rink in Indiana, Pa., open every morning at 8 a.m., Brian Gratz is usually waiting to enter. Chances are, he's already spent at least an hour that day working the phones. In addition to his duties as the head coach (the only coach) of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League's Indiana Ice Miners, Gratz is responsible for managing player movement, sharpening skates and doing the team's laundry. He often serves as athletic trainer. When Indiana didn't have a general manager for the first two months of the season, Gratz was handling marketing and even selling tickets at the door. The former Reading Royals goalie makes it home by 6 p.m. if he's “slacking off that day." It's usually more like 8 or 9 at night. Such is life in “Class A" developmental pro hockey. “It's a chore," Gratz admitted, “but like my wife (Kelli) said, I couldn't pay for an education like this." Like his players, the 26-year-old Penn State grad is hoping to develop into someone who can climb the pro hockey ladder.
N.J. colleges try for faster, cheaper
With tuition soaring and state support shrinking, New Jersey's public colleges and universities are exploring ways for students to get their diploma quicker and cheaper. Shortening the road to graduation is just one of nearly a dozen suggestions released today by the New Jersey Association of Colleges and Universities, which formed a task force in September to consider improving higher education opportunities at a time of a shrinking state budget. Continue reading "N.J. colleges try for faster, cheaper" » .
Football-linked food drive a "souper" idea
Stock market Events calendar Brier Dudley Home Forum Retail Report Tech Tracks Sunday Buzz Sports Home High School Mariners Seahawks Sonics Storm Huskies Cougars College Golf Hockey Soccer Snow sports Other sports Steve Kelley Jerry Brewer Sideline Chatter All columnists Entertainment Home Restaurants Movies Music/Nightlife The Arts Books Today's events Callboard Submit listings TV listings Comics/Games Horoscopes Lottery Girl About Town Living Home Food & Wine Home & Garden Pacific NW Magazine Health Growing Older: Liz Taylor Parenting: Jan Faull Yours in Health Taste of the Town Wine Adviser: Paul Gregutt Dishing: Kathy Casey Travel/Outdoors Home Seattle guide Washington guide Oregon guide British Columbia guide Travel tools Travel Wise: Carol Pucci Rick Steves' Europe NW Traveler: Kristin Jackson Trail Mix: Ron Judd Opinion Home Letters to the Editor The Democracy Papers Ed Cetera Blog Eric Devericks' Blog Daily Democracy Blog Jobs Autos Rentals Real Estate NWsource Classifieds Neighborhoods Shopping .
Bay Area Vista
The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association conducts programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hundreds of communities. The mission of the Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. American Diabetes Association Diabetes Expo When: February 2 Where: Santa Clara Convention Center Call: (888) -DIABETES
Visit at http://www.diabetes.org Vietnamese Spring Festival & Parade Representatives from the Vietnamese Spring Festival & Parade join us to discuss their current projects and issues including their 2008 celebration.
|
