Archive for the ‘Personal Performance’ Category
Baillieu defends govt after bad poll
Posted: March 13, 2012 at 11:12 am
Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu has defended the government's performance after his personal rating dived in the latest opinion poll.
Mr Baillieu's personal rating has slumped 11 points since October, according to the latest Newspoll published in The Australian newspaper on Monday.
Forty-one per cent of voters said they were satisfied with the premier's performance, compared to 52 per cent in October.
On a two-party preferred basis, 53 per cent of voters support the coalition compared with 47 per cent preferring Labor.
Mr Baillieu said the public understood the government had tough challenges ahead.
'We have got an agenda in front of us and the community know that,' he told reporters in Melbourne on Tuesday.
'These are tough times, we've got some challenges in front of us, we are getting on with the job.'
When pressed on whether he would change his own leadership style, Mr Baillieu replied: 'We are getting on with the job.'
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Baillieu defends govt after bad poll
Powder Skiing in Zillertal with Oakhall PPC 2012.avi – Video
Posted: March 12, 2012 at 6:12 pm
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Powder Skiing in Zillertal with Oakhall PPC 2012.avi - Video
Kraton Performance Polymers Delivers Innovative PVC Alternatives
Posted: at 6:12 pm
HOUSTON, March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. (NYSE: KRA - News), a leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers or "SBCs," announces plans to showcase and discuss its latest innovations at NPE 2012, the world's largest plastics exposition, conference and technology exchange.
"Kraton offers the most diverse and robust product profile in the SBC world," said Michael Oberkirch, Vice President, Advanced Materials. "Our products compete against a variety of material alternatives including, but not limited to, TPV, TPU, PVC, TPO, PET, PC, PA, natural rubber, and EPDM based offerings. Kraton polymers are highly-engineered and deliver recognized value by providing safe and viable alternatives to less efficient or less environmentally-friendly solutions," he continued. Demand for Kraton products continues to be driven by customer requirements and the unmet needs of the markets. "Our innovation-led growth strategy focuses on translating the inherent strengths of our product technologies such as flexibility, resilience, impact and moisture resistance, and aesthetics such as clarity and soft touch, to target opportunities where we can expand and create entirely new market spaces for our solutions," he concluded.
Products showcased at NPE include the following:
NPE 2012 will provide tremendous opportunities for knowledge sharing, which Kraton has found results in new, innovative, and specialized product solutions that meet the most rigorous industry demands for higher-performance. If you would like to meet one-on-one with our experts, please visit the Kraton booth #39000 at NPE 2012. For pre-scheduled media interviews, please contact Marcella Coronado at Marcie.coronado@kraton.com.
About Kraton Polymers
Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., through its operating subsidiary Kraton Polymers LLC and its subsidiaries, is a leading global producer of engineered polymers and styrenic block copolymers ("SBCs"), a family of products whose chemistry was pioneered by us almost fifty years ago. SBCs are highly-engineered thermoplastic elastomers, which enhance the performance of numerous products by delivering a variety of attributes, including greater flexibility, resilience, strength, durability and processability. Our polymers are used in a wide range of applications, including adhesives, coatings, consumer and personal care products, sealants and lubricants, and medical, packaging, automotive, paving, roofing and footwear products. We currently offer approximately 800 products to more than 700 customers in over 60 countries worldwide, and are the only SBC producer with manufacturing and service capabilities on four continents. We manufacture products at five plants globally, including our flagship plant in Belpre, Ohio, as well as plants in Germany, France and Brazil, and a joint venture plant operated in Japan.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements," which are statements other than statements of historical fact and are often characterized by the use of words such as "believes," "expects," "estimates," "projects," "may," "will," "intends," "plans" or "anticipates," or by discussions of strategy, anticipated performance, plans or intentions. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made based on management's current expectations and estimates, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are more fully described in "Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors" contained in our Annual Report on 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as subsequently updated in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We hereby make reference to all such filings for all purposes. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update such information.
Kraton, the Kraton logo and design, Cariflex, Nexar and the "Giving Innovators their Edge" tagline are all trademarks of Kraton Polymers LLC.
Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. 2012. All rights reserved.
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Kraton Performance Polymers Delivers Innovative PVC Alternatives
Obama dribbles past job approval, shoots for personal appeal
Posted: at 6:12 pm
President Barack Obamas campaign website is offering to showcase anyone who submits a more accurate prediction of the March Madness basketball results than Obamas personal prediction.
Think You Got Game? asks a recent headline on his official campaign website. Fill out your bracket below and see if you can beat President Obamas bracket predictions. And hows this for bragging rights: well publish a list of everyone who does better than the President here on BarackObama.com after the tournament is over.
The new Obama Bracket Challenge is designed to help him spur base voters, build his mailing list and boost low-dollar donations, while also fronting his personal charm, which gets higher polls from voters than does his record on the economy.
Obamas job-approval rating was only 45 percent in February, but his personal ratings have usually been a few points higher. Last December, for example, Gallup reported only 42 percent of the public approved of his performance, while an ABC/Washington Post poll pegged his personal rating at 48 percent.
That rating is relatively high given the state of the economy, although far below his high point of 79 percent in Jan. 2009.
The bracket competition may also tug the public conversation away from the dour economy.
Gallup says the combined unemployment and underemployment rate is 19 percent, despite Obamas spending $5 trillion more than tax receipts since 2009. Even the official unemployment rate of 8.3 percent is far higher than the historical average, and is well above the 6.1 percent Obamas team promised it would be by early 2012 when Congress passed the controversial $787 billion stimulus bill in 2009.
In fact, Obamas personal popularity can shield him from GOP criticisms, and bring over a percentage of swing-voters who would otherwise vote for his eventual Republican opponent. And his campaign periodically tries to pump up those personal ratings by displaying Obamas personal charm on the website.
In a recent video, for example, Obama is shown talking about the Chicago Bulls basketball team with several supporters who won tickets for a meal with him.
Asked by one man where hed like to work other than the White House, Obama responded genially that, Id be starting point guard for the Chicago Bulls.
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Obama dribbles past job approval, shoots for personal appeal
Curtis Beach Claims NCAA Indoor Heptathlon Crown
Posted: at 8:59 am
NAMPA, Idaho- Curtis Beach broke one world record and six personal records on his way to being crowned the 2012 NCAA Indoor Heptathlon Champion on Saturday in Nampa, Idaho. In his final event of the day, Beach shattered his own previous world record in the 1,000 meters by running a time of 2:23.63. The Albuquerque native finished the record setting weekend with 6,138 total points.
"This is the greatest weekend ever for a Duke track and field athlete" Director of track and field Norm Ogilvie commented. "It was an incredibly gutsy performance for Curtis to go out and run the world record time at altitude. It was also an incredible coaching performance by Shawn Wilbourn."
In the first event of the day, Beach won his heat by setting a personal record of 8.15 which was good enough for seventh in the event and earned him 944 points. This mark also began his gradual move to the top putting him in seventh overall.
In the pole vault, the junior had an outstanding performance by setting three personal records. In the event, he cleared 15-05.00, 15-09.00 and an impressive 16-00.75 to score 880 points in the event and catapult him into fourth place. In order to win the national crown, Beach needed to beat the current leader, Japheth Cato from Wisconsin, by 21 seconds in the 1,000 meter run.
Beach showed his eagerness to start the final event with a false start. He settled himself and when the gun went off to start the race, Beach shot out and gained an immediate lead over the pack. He never looked back. The determination in his eyes was evident as he consistently extended his lead during the five lap race. His world record performance earned him the crown and places him second on Duke's all-time list in the 1,000 meter run behind Duke great Bob Wheeler.
"I was obviously a little antsy with the false start but I just tried to stay focused and relaxed." Beach commented. "I knew that I was going to have to run a hard race so I decided to not think about anyone else and run the best that I could. That's how I approached the entire competition, just focusing on my own performance. I think that's why I did so well."
Beach's point total of 6,138 puts him third on the all-time collegiate heptathlon list and broke the Jacksons Track facility record set by Donovan Kilmartin in 2006. The mark also broke the all-time Duke and ACC record for the event.
On the other side of the world, the 2012 IAAF World Championships have also been taking place in Istanbul, Turkey. With their marks, Beach and Wisconsin's Cato would have place second and third in the international event.
Only twelve out of sixteen competitors completed the grueling seven event competition.
"It's great that my entire family was able to come and share this with me. It feels good. I can't really describe it. It's a good day for Duke."
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Curtis Beach Claims NCAA Indoor Heptathlon Crown
Health guru preaches personal responsibility
Posted: at 7:26 am
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- He's a mild-mannered man, small, soft-spoken and serene. Behind the quiet demeanor beats the heart of fierce warrior in the battle for better health in rural Appalachia and underserved areas abroad.
That's Richard Crespo, a professor in the Department of Family and Community Health at Marshall University's Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, a nationally recognized force in community health.
Inspired years ago by the high infant death rate he encountered in the mountains of Ecuador, he preaches a grassroots approach to better health built on disease prevention and instilling good health habits in childhood.
His arsenal includes rural and school-based health centers, diabetes coalitions, student dental screenings, peer-to-peer prenatal care and creative touch-screen projects to combat childhood obesity.
A self-help guru, he believes fervently in a simple premise: Healthy people take care of themselves.
He's 62.
"My parents were missionaries. My father is from Puerto Rico, and my mother is from the United States. I grew up nine years in Colombia, South America; four years in the States and four years in Puerto Rico.
"I was 6 when we came to the States the first time. When I was 10, it was back to Colombia for junior high. My parents left the mission field about the time I was in high school, so I went to high school in Puerto Rico.
"I wanted to be like my dad. Mission work was the predominant thing. Living internationally gave me a perspective about living elsewhere that I wouldn't have had if I had just grown up in the States.
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Health guru preaches personal responsibility
Fighters Who Thrilled! The Ten Most Exciting (a personal appreciation)
Posted: March 11, 2012 at 9:23 pm
By James Slater: I think its time for another list! Following on from my top ten list of the 10 best fights held in Las Vegas, I have compiled my own personal choice of the ten fighters who have given us (in my opinion anyway) the most scintillating and action-packed fights in boxing during the time that I have existed on this planet.
Since I was born in 1971, there are many fighters that I had to give consideration to. Compiling such a list is never an easy job, though it is a somewhat fun and enjoyable task. Hopefully, each and every person who reads it will find it fun and enjoyable also. And please remember - just because a fighter is considered one of the most exciting, this does not necessarily mean he is one of the all-round best or most talented - last nights brave loser Juan Manuel Lopez for example.
But Juanma arguably the most consistently thrilling fighter around today (and a possible future addition to the following list) moves fans in a quite passion-filled manner. So did these guys:
1. Thomas The Hitman Hearns
Quite simply, hardly ever in a dull fight. Participated in THE greatest fight in middleweight history, if not in all of boxing, when he met Marvellous Marvin Hagler. Thrilled millions with his two fights against Sugar Ray Leonard. Hearns also scored one of the most electrifying KOs in boxing history when he annihilated Roberto Duran in two rounds in 1984. Throw in his intense and action-crammed bouts with Pipino Cuevas, Juan Roldan, Iran Barkley, Dennis Andries, James Schuler and Doug Dewitt, and its clear to see why he sits at the very top of this list. Tommy always took great pride in giving his fans a great show and almost always did so. Due to his incredible heart Tommy was still capable of giving us a thrill when his prime years had long gone. The Hitman reigns supreme in my opinion.
2. Muhammad Ali
It can be argued that the career of The Greatest provided its most incredible and heart pounding moments when it reached its later stages. Although he was undeniably at his absolute best in the 1960s, it was during the 70s that he really had the fans screaming themselves hoarse. Ali gave us the most gruelling and action-filled fight in heavyweight history when he met archrival Smokin Joe Frazier for the third time. And if some fans disagree with The Thrillas status as the greatest heavyweight fight it is only because they favour Alis first encounter with Frazier. Ali also shocked the world against George Foreman in Zaire in the second half of his career, as well as giving us fine fights against the likes of Floyd Patterson, George Chuvalo, Jerry Quarry, Bob Foster, Ken Norton and Earnie Shavers. In the final analysis, when Ali fought - the world stopped!
3. Mike Tyson
Although ultimately Mike Tyson may well be remembered more as a human disaster zone than as a prize fighter, back when he was focused and lived a (relatively) normal life Iron Mike was a very special fighter. And although many of his opponents were beaten before they entered the ring with him, Tyson performances almost always were met with fan approval. Ok, it could be argued that some of his fights produced such quick and easy looking blowouts that value for money was never always produced, but Mike could usually be relied upon to provide a spectacular KO for his audience. He was a fast and hard puncher, a combination which is a dead cert to lead to some brutally mowed down opposition. In his prime, the termination to a Tyson fight gave us many a highlight reel KO. Fighters such as Trevor Berbick, Michael Spinks, Marvis Frazier, Pinklon Thomas and Tony Tubbs, to name only five, were dispatched in quite stunning fashion. How we could use a peak Mike Tyson these days!
4. Matthew Saad Muhammad
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Fighters Who Thrilled! The Ten Most Exciting (a personal appreciation)
Romeo and Juliet – Dream high 2 Rian and Yoo-Jin ‘s performance – Video
Posted: at 1:22 pm
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Romeo and Juliet - Dream high 2 Rian and Yoo-Jin 's performance - Video
Anscombe leads Auckland to 29-23 win over Bulls
Posted: at 1:22 pm
PRETORIA, South Africa (AP)Flyhalf Gareth Anscombe scored all the points as Auckland Blues overcame their early season struggles with a gutsy 29-23 win at the Bulls in Super 15 rugby on Saturday.
Anscombe inspired the New Zealand team to a first victory in three games with two tries, two conversions and five penalties at Loftus Versfeld.
The 20-year-old newcomer broke away in the second minute after intercepting a loose ball and finished a flowing Blues counterattack in the 38th as the visitors stunned their fellow three-time Super rugby champions at the Bulls home ground.
The Bulls launched a late charge with wing Bjorn Basson crossing for two second-half tries and an off-form Morne Steyn landed a touchline conversion after the hooter for a losing bonus point for the South African team, which slipped to its first defeat this season.
Anscombe began his outstanding personal performance by snatching possession in the opening moments after Bulls center Francois Venter juggled a pass in midfield and going 60 meters unchallenged for the first score.
His angled run after a length-of-the-field break from the Blues took him through a hole to score as the visitors opened a 20-8 gap at halftime.
The Blues held off the Bulls late fightback and Anscombe outkicked Springboks flyhalf Steyn, landing seven from nine shots at goal at the intimidating Pretoria venue. Steyn could only manage three from seven in a rare off-day.
Its a pretty daunting debut at this stadium, Anscombe said. The forwards fronted up and luckily I banged over a few goals and took some opportunities.
The Blues also rode a wave of pressure from the Bulls late in the first half as well as the closing stages, and recovered from an early yellow card to lock Ali Williams for a first victory of 2012 after opening with losses to Canterbury and Waikato.
The Bulls put us under a lot of pressure. When you come up here its all about the arm wrestle and staying in there, captain Keven Mealamu said. Every minute of this competition youre going to have to work for every point and it came off for us today.
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Anscombe leads Auckland to 29-23 win over Bulls
See an Orchestra. Hear the Garritan Personal Orchestra. – Video
Posted: at 1:49 am
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See an Orchestra. Hear the Garritan Personal Orchestra. - Video