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Even if a tree doesn’t have broken limbs hanging off of it, it could still have been hurt by heavy snow accumulation. |
Henry Poole, urban forestry coordinator with the Delaware Forest Service, said homeowners should take a close look at their trees. |
Trees that could be ready to break or fall down exhibit telltale signs of damage, he said. |
2. Consider how bad the damage is. |
Poole said horizontal cracks are the worst and often mean the tree will have to be cut down completely. If left standing, it would likely die and leave dangerous dead branches hanging overhead, ready to come down in a stiff wind. |
Vertical cracks can be just as bad too, depending on where they form. A cracked branch can be cut off, sparing the rest of the tree, but a lengthwise crack in the trunk might mean the tree has to come down. |
Ron Loockerman, of Loockerman’s Tree and Stump Removal in Dover, Del., said tree branches downed by snow often tear large strips of bark off the trunk when they fall. |
The severity of such a tear can determine whether a tree will survive and heal itself or not. |
3. Tackle minor trimming and branch removal carefully. |
Branches that have broken cleanly off a tree and fallen to the ground can usually be removed and cut up by a safe homeowner with a well-maintained chainsaw, depending on how big the limbs are. |
Homeowners can also handle low branches in easy reach from ground level. But, Poole said, it’s important not to cause more damage to the tree when removing damaged limbs. |
Branches should be cut using a three-step method: make an undercut a third of the way through the branch approximately 1 foot from where it meets the trunk; cut the branch off approximately 6 inches further out from the undercut; finally, cut off the branch stub above the collar where it meets the trunk — do not make a... |
Poole said homeowners shouldn’t bite off more than they can chew when it comes to chainsawing. |
4. Prune and trim at the right time. |
The best time to prune trees is in the late winter or early spring, when they are dormant and haven’t yet put out buds for new leaves and growth. It’s better to have the tree use its energy to close a wound before budding, instead of wasting energy and growing potential on buds that will be cut off anyway. |
However, Poole said it’s never too late to get rid of dead limbs. |
“Now is the time to do it, while the tree is still dormant, but you can prune deadwood at any time,” he said. |
5. Know when to call a professional. |
Poole and Loockerman said it’s easy for homeowners to get in over their heads when tree trimming. It’s often a tricky and dangerous project, especially as the limbs get bigger and higher off the ground. |
Climbing a ladder with a saw is a big safety hazard, Poole said, and a good point at which to call in an expert with specialized tree-climbing ropes and equipment designed to reach those limbs. |
Loockerman said big limbs that are hanging by a splinter or still attached to the tree by split bark can be very dangerous. |
Those limbs can be unpredictable when cut free and might snap back violently when released. |
“If it’s a rather large lead and it’s partly attached to the tree, you could have a lot pressure, and the springing action could hurt you,” he said. |
A tree expert can also help a homeowner determine if a damaged tree is salvageable or will have to be cut down. |
E-mail Doug Denison at doug.denison@doverpost.com. |
California is the only U.S. state where zipping between lanes of cars on a motorcycle is legal. But now other states are pushing to legalize it too. WSJ rides along with California motorcycle commuters to get an up-close look at lane splitting. |
Microsoft's adCenter, which can target ads at a particular gender, has potential as a solid third place contender to Google and Yahoo, said analysts. |
By finding a more precise way to target an audience, Microsoft becomes a serious challenge to Yahoo and Google, the leading suppliers of the ads alongside Internet search results, a Microsoft analyst believes. |
On Monday, Microsoft Corp. said its on track for an October U.S. debut for adCenter, a process advertisers in Singapore and France now use to place ads on a variety of MSN divisions offerings, and just about any other kind of Web site. |
In theory, the more refined the audience choice, the more successful the marketing. |
In this regard, Microsofts relatively new adCenter has an edge over competitive offerings by market leader Google Inc. and number two Yahoo Inc., analysts agree. |
Microsofts adCenter lets advertisers target an audience based on age, gender and location. Google and Yahoo cant define a target audience as precisely, said Directions On Microsoft analyst Matt Rosoff. |
"This makes them a solid number three player," and leapfrogs the search engine Ask Jeeves, which is at work on something similar to adCenter, Rosoff said. |
Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Ask Jeeves and others are all vying for a share of the overall online advertising spending market, which according to Microsofts figures will double by 2008 to $30 billion a year. |
/zimages/6/28571.gifClick here to read more about Microsofts adCenter. |
A growing number of companies like Microsoft hope to cash in by building their own technology to support and dispense all those ads, and offer its use to all-comers. |
Because of adCenter, Yahoo will likely feel some financial pain relatively soon. It has a profit sharing arrangement with MSN to do the same thing as adCenter. |
The Yahoo/Microsoft agreement expires in June 2006. It is Rosoffs understanding that this means "Yahoo is out" at that time. |
Google is the No. 1 distributor of ads alongside Internet search results, by a large percentage. Representative for both companies had no immediate comment. |
Snake venom has a place in several ancient medical traditions. As early as the 1930s western pharmacists began testing cobra venom as a treatment for conditions ranging from asthma to multiple sclerosis (Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, vol 11, p 1469). But in recent years, modern techniques from mass spectrometry... |
One such component is now showing promise for treating multiple sclerosis. Quite what triggers MS remains unknown. What is clear, though, is that the body’s immune system begins to attack the insulating sheath that protects nerve cells, causing damage that can progressively impair sensory and cognitive function and mov... |
The Bethel Historical Society is hosting its annual Ghost Tour at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26. |
BETHEL — Families can celebrate Halloween early with the upcoming candlelight Ghost Tour. |
The Historical Society will host the annual tour through the streets of Bethel beginning at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26. Attendees should meet at the 1842 Meeting House and follow the tour. |
“You never know who you may meet along the way,” the Historical Society said on its Facebook page. |
Hot cider and donuts will be offered at meeting house after the hour-long tour. |
Reserve early because space is limited. Paid reservations are required by Oct. 23 by calling Pat Rist at 203 743-5893 or visiting the Historical Society’s website. The fee is $10 for members, $12 for non-members and $6 for children 5 through 12. |
Russia's Lethal T-90 Tank vs. ISIS' Captured M1 Abrams: Who Wins? |
While it might be a remote possibility, it would be a very interesting match up. |
With Russia’s surprise move to deploy ground forces to Syria, the remote possibility that Russian forces might confront Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) operated M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks emerges. |
According to numerous media reports, the Russian military has deployed a half dozen T-90 main battle tanks, 15 self-propelled heavy artillery pieces and thirty-five infantry fighting vehicles along with about 200 naval infantrymen—basically marines—into the war ravaged nation. The Russian forces appear to be building a... |
While the chances of a direct confrontation between Russian forces in the area and ISIS operated armor are fairly remote, there is a small possibility that could happen. ISIS has destroyed or captured a number of the Iraqi Army’s 140 M1A1 SA Abrams tanks. While many of these tanks were destroyed using anti-tank missile... |
So how would ISIS’ Abrams fare versus the best Russian-owned and operated tanks? Probably not very well—the Russian crews are professional soldiers, with proper training, tactics and a functional logistical train. ISIS, meanwhile, might have some veterans of Saddam Hussein’s army, but they aren’t exactly experts at emp... |
Unlike in previous encounters between Russian-built hardware and U.S.-built machines, the Soviet-built machines were generally export models that didn’t feature the most advanced equipment. Moreover, crew training, tactics, maintenance, spare parts availability and logistical support may have been subpar—like Saddam Hu... |
In this case, ISIS’ Abrams would be the export models that were sold to Iraq. While the M1A1 SA has many advanced features, it lacks the heavy depleted uranium armor matrix found on the U.S. Army’s own tanks. Further, the Iraqi Abrams were not equipped with features such as explosive reactive armor that would have help... |
While ISIS likely has the motivation and discipline to put up a fight, what the group doesn’t have is the logistical train to operate the Abrams. The Abrams is a complex, maintenance intensive machine that requires a steady stream of spare parts and ammunition. Moreover, its 1500hp gas turbine engine also burns fuel at... |
ISIS is not a conventional fighting force—in many ways it’s a hybrid between a conventional army and an insurgency. While the group may use armor captured from Iraqi or Syrian stocks, it’s not going to employ tanks in massed armored formations like the U.S. Army or Russia. ISIS doesn’t have enough tanks or the training... |
Overall, if there was an encounter between the Russian T-90s and group of ISIS operated Abrams, it’s likely that a force of trained Russian soldiers would prevail. The problem for the Russians is probably not going to be ISIS tanks but rather the hordes of ISIS soldiers armed with rocket-propelled grenades, anti-tank m... |
The Knoxville Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Chief David Rausch of the Knoxville Police Department (KPD) are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the man who robbed a Y-12 Federal Credit Union today. |
At approximately 4:49 p.m., the suspect entered the Y-12 Federal Credit Union located at 6640 Clinton Highway in Knoxville, Tennessee, and passed a teller a bank robbery demand note. Witnesses described the suspect as a white male, mid-40s to early-50s, approximately 5’8” to 5’10” tall, with a stocky build, with facial... |
Anyone with information is asked to call the Knoxville FBI at 865-544-0751 or the KPD at 865-215-7212. A reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of this individual. |
This matter is being investigated jointly by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF), composed of the FBI, KPD (Knoxville Police Department), and KCSO (Knox County Sheriff’s Office), and the KPD Violent Crimes Unit. |
Country's premier home loan financier, Housing Development Finance Corporation on Tuesday slashed its lending rates by 0.5 per cent effective. |
With this reduction, HDFC's Retail Prime Lending Rate stands at 14 per cent. The lender has lowered its RPLR by one per cent since December 2008. |
"We are now seeing a reduction in the costs on a portfolio level and as in the past HDFC has ensured that the reduction in cost is passed on to existing customers by way of a reduction in RPLR," HDFC joint managing director Renu Sud Karnad said. |
The benefit of reduction in RPLR will accrue to all existing floating rate customers over the period of next three months based on their respective reset dates, HDFC said. |
The home loan lender has seen its costs coming down owing to improved operational efficiency and good quality portfolio, HDFC said. |
"HDFC continues to efficiently manage its liabilities and reprice its debts. In the current environment there is a time gap between the reduction in the marginal cost of funds and the portfolio cost," HDFC said. |
Takeovers can occur for several reasons. Sometimes a successful, larger company, in order to become even more dominant, wants to acquire superior technology or a popular product developed by a smaller rival. Other times a struggling, larger company, to prevent its financial results from sinking, looks to acquire a succ... |
Finally, sometimes companies will make an acquisition to eliminate a competitor and grow their market share. |
Which means Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ:LULU), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NYSE:AMD) and Cheniere Energy, Inc (NYSEAMERICAN:LNG) are all potential takeover targets because they provide possible buyers with the ability to meet one or more of the above goals. |
Lululemon is clearly on fire, and its sales are growing rapidly. On May 31, the yoga apparel maker reported that its revenue had surged 25% in its fiscal first quarter ended in April, while its comparable sales jumped 19% year-over-year. Lululemon is very profitable, as its gross margin came in at 53.1%, while its inco... |
There’s no reason to believe that Lululemon’s growth will slow anytime soon, as yoga is likely to continue to increase in popularity and no rival seems to be anywhere close to making a major dent in Lululemon’s yoga business. |
Many struggling, large retailers would clearly benefit from buying LULU. In addition to getting its hands on Lululemon’s profitable, rapidly growing business, an acquirer could quickly get exclusive access to LULU’s apparel, bringing many young women to its stores and onto its e-commerce site. These traffic increases, ... |
Although the $17 billion-plus valuation of LULU stock would make it a difficult target, a deal could probably get done. In order to complete the transaction, however, a retailer may have to team up with one or more major private equity firms. |
Among the retailers that I believe could potentially do the deal are Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT), Walmart Inc (NYSE:WMT) and Macy’s Inc (NYSE:M). Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) could also do the deal, in order to jump-start its clothing business. |
Some may say that Target and Walmart lack the “coolness” necessary to sell Lululemon’s products, but I think that Toyota Motor Corp (ADR)’s (NYSE:TM) success with Lexus shows that a company known for its discount products can effectively sell a more elite brand. |
Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) and/or Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) could look to buy AMD in order to get rid of a rapidly rising rival. According to Nasdaq.com, Intel has admitted that it will lose share to AMD in the server market this year. |
Meanwhile, AMD competes with Nvidia for novice miners of the up and coming cryptocurrency, ethereum, and it also competes with Nvidia in the gaming and machine learning markets. According to TechRadar, the two companies are “at each other’s throat” when it comes to gaming. |
AMD has said that its new 7 nm Vega chip “will (have) parity with Nvidia’s high-end Tesla V100 datacenter GPUs,” and AMD is looking to use its new Infinity Fabric interface product to compete with Nvidia’s NVLink product Forbes reported. Nvidia or Intel could definitely look to buy AMD to gain market share and eliminat... |
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) suppliers could also look to acquire AMD in order to rejuvenate their growth and reduce their dependence on the iPhone maker. |
The iPhone maker’s best days look to be behind it, as The Nikkei reported that the tech giant expects to sell 80 million units of its upcoming new iPhone later this year, down from 100 million last year, according to CNBC. Moreover, the great success of Fitbit Inc’s (NASDAQ:FIT) new smartwatch, the Versa, can’t be good... |
Noting that Apple suppliers have to be worried about being dumped by the iPhone maker which is looking to build more of its own chips, Bloomberg recently reported that one supplier, Dialog Semiconductor Plc, (OTCMKTS:DLGNF), is talking about buying touch screen technology maker Synaptics Incorporated (NASDAQ:SYNA), whi... |
Like Lululemon, AMD stock, trading at a market cap of $15 billion, is a bit pricey for an acquisition. But either Intel or Nvidia could likely swing the deal, while a smaller company could team up with one or more private equity firms to get a takeover done. |
As I noted in a previous column, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has said that the U.S. can become “a major supplier” of energy to China, as the Asian country has “incredible amounts of demand” for U.S. liquid natural gas. |
As I also reported, Cheniere has already signed a major deal with a Chinese state-owned energy company, and it has the only operational LNG export terminal in the Gulf area. |
Demand for natural gas is surging in both Asia and Europe, where EU policy is reportedly poised to cause demand for the fossil fuel to accelerate over the next five years. Even Latin America appears to be getting into the act. |
Cheniere’s results seem to be rapidly improving as it signs more natural gas export contracts. In the first quarter of 2018, its net income came in at $357 million, up from $54 million during the same period a year earlier. Meanwhile, its consolidated net EBITDA jumped 88% year-over-year to $907 million, and the amount... |
Trading at just 7.3 times analysts’ consensus 2019 profit estimate, Cheniere stock is very cheap. And many large energy companies including Exxon Mobile Corporation (NYSE:XOM) and Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) , could likely afford to pay a 50% premium to its $16 billion market cap. |
As of this writing, Larry Ramer owned shares of Fitbit. |
Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2018/06/3-potential-takeover-targets/. |
This film Rage was once called Tokarev, but the basics are the same: Nicolas Cage plays a guy whose daughter is kidnapped one night. But there’s no question that this is some random victimization. No, the problem is that Cage’s character’s criminal past has come back to haunt him. And despite the good advice of Danny G... |
Oh, and the daughter is played by Aubrey Peeples, who we’ll soon see as Jem in Jon M. Chu’s film Jem and the Holograms. |
JOHNSTON, Iowa – One metro student is ditching the traditional school setting for an online academy. |
Fifteen-year-old Maura Moody attends Iowa Connections Academy. It is a tuition free online public school with students enrolled across Iowa. |
“I like online school, because it gives me a lot of flexibility and I feel like I can do it on my own time,” Moody said. |
The online school serves students kindergarten through 12th grade. |
Practicing six to eight hours each day, Moody is training to become a professional ballerina. |
Mother and Learning coach Alyssa Moody said online schooling is just as good as the public schools. |
“It feels very normal. They have to do all the same testing. It’s structured just like an Iowa public school,” Alyssa Moody said. |
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