Salsaga Blog http://www.salsagadir.com/blog another blog about news Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:15:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 en Wanted: Avid Photographers and Nature Lovers http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/wanted-avid-photographers-and-nature-lovers.html http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/wanted-avid-photographers-and-nature-lovers.html#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:15:00 +0000 admin http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/wanted-avid-photographers-and-nature-lovers.html WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Park Foundation and Olympus Imaging America Inc. challenge everyone who can point and click to grab their camera, head to a federal land, and enter the 2008 Share the Experience Photo Contest. This year’s official contest is sponsored by the National Park Foundation and Olympus in partnership with the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service.
The 2008 Share the Experience Photo contest will run from August 18, 2008 through December 31, 2008 and showcases the more than 500 million acres of Federal Lands, drawing entries from all across the United States.
All 2008 entrants will have the opportunity to win one of five exciting prize packages with a total of 14 winners. The Grand Prize winner will earn the international honor of having the winning image grace all the 2010 “Federal Recreation Lands Pass,” an annual admission that provides access to all participating Federal Land Management Agency sites where an entrance fee is charged. Additionally, the grand prize winner will receive an Olympus E-3 DSLR digital camera kit and a five-day, four-night trip to a Federal Recreation Land of his/her choice.
“The National Park Foundation is grateful to Olympus for supporting the 8th annual federal lands photo contest, providing park goers with the opportunity to discover the beauty and diversity of our nation’s protected lands and share that experience with all of America,” said Vin Cipolla, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “By entering in the 2008 Share the Experience Photo Contest, individuals can take part in a truly American pastime: helping others see the beauty and value of our national parks. The National Park Foundation is delighted to sponsor this year’s contest with Olympus to get people out to the parks to capture great photo memories.”
“Olympus is proud to be the official sponsor of the National Parks photo contest,” said F. Mark Gumz, President, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “We offer shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof and highly portable cameras, which are perfect for capturing the parks’ elements in any season. We are committed to respecting nature and promoting healthy, active lifestyles. We encourage everyone to capture our nation’s parks through photography while leaving these majestic lands untouched for future generations to appreciate.”
Citizens and legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 years of age can enter by submitting up to three photo entries online at ; or via mail in a hand-written, stamped envelope to:
Share the Experience Official Federal Recreation Lands Photo Contest
c/o ePrize, LLC
PO Box 8070
Royal Oak, MI 48068

All photographs entered must be taken in one of the Federal Recreation Agency Lands between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008, must be original creations, and must be submitted by the original photographer. PLEASE SEE OFFICIAL RULES AT .
Mail-in entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2008 and received by the close of business on January 8, 2009. Each envelope must include only one entry. All photos will be judged on creativity; photographic quality; visual appeal; appropriateness; ability to show diversity and the richness of the Federal Recreation Lands.
Additionally, the public will be able to view an online photo gallery of 2008 submissions from January 9, 2009 - January 16, 2009 and vote on their favorites from January 17, 2009 - January 31, 2009.
About the National Park Foundation
The National Park Foundation () is a 501(c)(3) organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to continue a century-long tradition of private philanthropy ensuring funding to preserve and enhance the legacy of our National Parks. As the official non-profit partner of America’s National Parks, the National Park Foundation does not receive federal appropriations for their support. The National Park Foundation serves to strengthen the connection between the American people and their national parks by raising private funds, making strategic grants, creating innovative partnerships and increasing public awareness. Support of the National Park Foundation ensures that the evolving history and rich heritage of our Nation remains vital and relevant.
About Olympus Imaging America Inc.
Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets. Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhances peoples’ lives every day. These include:
— Digital and Film Cameras as well as related Underwater Products and
Accessories
— Professional Digital SLR Imaging Systems as well as related Underwater
Products and Accessories
— Digital and Microcassette Recorders
— Digital Media
— Binoculars

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. For more information, visit: .
National Park Foundation

]]> http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/wanted-avid-photographers-and-nature-lovers.html/feed Beach Tennis USA National Championship Returns to Long Beach, New York http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/beach-tennis-usa-national-championship-returns-to-long-beach-new-york.html http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/beach-tennis-usa-national-championship-returns-to-long-beach-new-york.html#comments Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:15:00 +0000 admin http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/beach-tennis-usa-national-championship-returns-to-long-beach-new-york.html NEW YORK, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ — Beach tennis USA(R), the organization responsible for launching the pro sport of beach tennis in North America, will hold its 2008 National Beach tennis Championship in Long Beach, New York on Labor Day Weekend. The National Championship tournament, which is the final event of a 10-city tour, will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 30 and 31 and will be taped for broadcast to over 60 million homes on SportsNet New York (SNY), tennis Channel, SunSport, FSN West, and select Comcast SportsNet affiliates. The event site is located on the beach at Riverside Blvd. near the Boardwalk in Long Beach, New York.
This year as many as 75 Men and Women’s Pro division teams from 12 countries are expected to compete in the National Championship event. Although the defending champions, Matteo Marighella and Alex Mingozzi (Ravenna, IT) are favored to win, several teams from the U.S. and other countries are hoping to quell the Italian’s dominance in the new pro sport. One such team that looks to have the best chance is the 2005 & 2006 National Champions Phil Whitesell and Chris Henderson (Charleston, SC), who are vying to reclaim their crown after having experienced a resurgence this season. In the Women’s Pro Division, three-time National Champion Nadia Johnston (Long Beach, NY), will be entering into the competition with a new partner and after having participated in only one tournament this season. The finals match just might pose a rematch from last season, with Johnston defending her title against a team that has completely dominated the Women’s division this year-Laura and Lisa Maloney (San Diego, CA).
Preliminary qualifying play for the Women’s Pro divisions will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, with elimination rounds throughout the day. Elimination rounds for the Men’s Pro division will begin Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and the Men and Women’s Pro finals will take place Sunday at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., respectively.
About Beach tennis USA
Beach tennis, which was launched in the U.S. as a pro and recreational sport in 2005 by real estate developer Marc Altheim, combines tennis and beach volleyball into one exciting and fast-paced game. Now in its fourth season, Beach tennis USA has garnered increased attention while hosting events in South Florida, Southern California and New York. Beach tennis USA has also gained recognition in the tennis world, attracting many former top-rated tennis players and having televised competitions featured on tennis Channel, SunSport, FSN West, Comcast SportsNet, and SportsNet New York (SNY). The company continues to grow by adding new licensees in various U.S. cities and establishing “Team Beach Tennis,” which promotes year-round league play. To learn more about this fast-growing sport, or to become a licensee, please visit .
Beach tennis USA

]]> http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/beach-tennis-usa-national-championship-returns-to-long-beach-new-york.html/feed The PMI Group, Inc. Announces Agreement for Sale of Australian Operations to QBE Insurance Group Limited http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/the-pmi-group-inc-announces-agreement-for-sale-of-australian-operations-to-qbe-insurance-group-limited.html http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/the-pmi-group-inc-announces-agreement-for-sale-of-australian-operations-to-qbe-insurance-group-limited.html#comments Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:30:00 +0000 admin http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/the-pmi-group-inc-announces-agreement-for-sale-of-australian-operations-to-qbe-insurance-group-limited.html SYDNEY, Australia and WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Aug. 14
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The PMI Group, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Australian mortgage insurance subsidiary and related Australian holding company to QBE Insurance Group Limited (”QBE”), Australia’s largest international general insurance and reinsurance group. This transaction will enhance PMI’s overall liquidity and support opportunities for its U.S. mortgage insurance operations.
The purchase price is approximately 100% of the net tangible asset value of PMI Australia under U.S. GAAP as of June 30, 2008. The aggregate purchase price payable upon closing is approximately $920 million, subject to adjustment under certain limited circumstances, including in the event of a material adverse change in PMI Australia’s business prior to closing. The purchase price will be payable 80% in cash at closing and 20% payable in the form of an interest-bearing promissory note issued by QBE. The promissory note matures and is payable in September 2011, and the actual amount payable on the note could be reduced to the extent that the performance of PMI Australia’s existing insurance portfolio as of June 30, 2008 does not achieve specified targets. Interest will be accrued from July 1, 2008 for the cash component of the purchase price until the closing of the transaction and through September 2011 for the note. In connection with the transaction, PMI will also fund premiums of approximately $46.5 million to assist in procuring an excess of loss reinsurance cover for PMI Australia. The agreement provides for reinsurance profit-sharing for one-half of the reinsurance premiums at the end of the three-year policy life, subject to certain conditions.
“This transaction is a strategic move that will benefit both companies,” said Steve Smith, Chairman & CEO of The PMI Group, Inc. “PMI Australia’s customers will benefit from the financial strength, expertise, and operational excellence of QBE, and PMI Australia’s employees will gain the scale and resources QBE will bring them to expand and grow their business in Australia. We are extremely proud of the business operations that our Australian team, with assistance and support from our U.S. team, has built and the reputation for outstanding customer service that PMI Australia enjoys in the mortgage market.” Mr. Smith added, “this transaction also represents an important step in our five-point plan for progress, specifically maintaining our financial strength and focusing on our core U.S. mortgage insurance business.”
PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. acquired the Australian operations in 1999 from AMP Limited, a large Australian insurance and financial services company. In 2001, PMI Mortgage Insurance Co. acquired CGU’s Australian mortgage insurance company. The combined operations of the AMP and CGU acquisitions became PMI Australia.
PMI and QBE have also reached an agreement in principle for the sale of PMI Asia, based in Hong Kong. The net tangible assets of PMI Asia as of June 30, 2008 were approximately $55 million. Details of this transaction will be announced when a definitive agreement between the parties has been executed.
Closing of the transactions is subject, among other things, to the receipt of necessary regulatory, bank and other third party approvals and consents. Closing is expected to be completed before the end of September 2008.
Credit Suisse and Caliburn Partnership acted as financial co-advisors to The PMI Group, Inc. Allens Arthur Robinson and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP provided legal advice to The PMI Group, Inc.
About The PMI Group, Inc.
The PMI Group, Inc. , headquartered in Walnut Creek, CA, provides innovative credit, capital, and risk transfer solutions that expand homeownership and fund essential services for our customers and the communities they serve around the world. Through its wholly and partially owned subsidiaries, PMI offers residential mortgage insurance and credit enhancement products, financial guaranty insurance, and financial guaranty reinsurance. PMI has operations in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, and the United States. For more information: .
About QBE Insurance Group Limited
QBE Insurance Group Limited is Australia’s largest international general insurance and reinsurance group, and one of the top 25 insurers and reinsurers worldwide.
Cautionary Statement: Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, or that relate to future plans, events or performance are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements by their nature involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Many factors could cause actual developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. For example, there can be no assurance that regulatory, bank or other third party consents and approvals will be obtained, that other conditions to the sale of PMI Australia to QBE will be satisfied, that the sale will completed or, if completed, that the purchase price payable will not be reduced as a result of material adverse developments affecting PMI Australia’s business prior to closing. In addition, there can be no assurance that a definitive agreement will be entered into for the sale of PMI Asia to QBE, or, if entered into, that the sale of PMI Asia will be completed. Other risks and uncertainties are discussed in our SEC filings, including our Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (in Item 1A) and Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, and June 30, 2008. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

The PMI Group, Inc.

]]> http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/the-pmi-group-inc-announces-agreement-for-sale-of-australian-operations-to-qbe-insurance-group-limited.html/feed MIPS Technologies Announces USB PHY Breakthroughs http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/mips-technologies-announces-usb-phy-breakthroughs.html http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/mips-technologies-announces-usb-phy-breakthroughs.html#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:45:16 +0000 admin http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/mips-technologies-announces-usb-phy-breakthroughs.html MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — MIPS Technologies, Inc. , a leading provider of industry-standard architectures, processors and analog IP for digital consumer, home networking, wireless, communications and business applications, today introduced the industry’s first 40nm usb PHY IP core and first USB-certified 1.8v 45nm usb PHY IP core. These cores enable developers to quickly and confidently integrate usb functionality into their advanced SoCs for a vast number of consumer applications. A leading cellular communications chipset provider will be first to go into production with an SoC that integrates MIPS Technologies’ silicon-proven 1.8v 45nm PHY.
According to technology market research firm In-Stat, more than 2.6 billion wired USB-enabled devices were shipped in 2007, penetrating PCs, PC peripherals, consumer electronics, communications, and automobiles. The firm predicts that annual shipment growth of USB-enabled devices through 2012 will be 8.3%.
“With our new usb PHY IP offerings, we continue our strategy of being first to offer proven IP in the most advanced technology nodes, giving our customers early access for next-generation development,” said Celio Albuquerque, director of physical connectivity solutions, Analog Business Group, MIPS Technologies. “As usb market growth continues, customers are leveraging our usb IP solutions, including PHYs and controllers, to get to market quickly at the lowest possible cost and the fastest time to integration.”
MIPS Technologies’ new usb PHY IP cores represent a new generation of usb physical layer architectures using 1.8v or alternatively 2.5v IO devices to deliver the industry’s lowest power consumption for 45nm and 40nm SoC designs. Low power, along with a compact, silicon-saving design, makes these IP cores especially well-suited for leading-edge mobile applications. Advanced programmability allows developers to fine-tune the analog parameters of their system for maximum performance results in silicon.
MIPS Technologies offers the broadest IP portfolio in the market, with silicon-proven and certified solutions in all major foundries and processes-including half nodes-backed by deep usb expertise and professional engineering support. MIPS Technologies has more than 90 usb PHY IP customers worldwide with more than 200 usb 2.0 PHY instantiations, more than 30 usb 2.0 certified products in mass-production, and more than 200 million high-speed usb chips produced to-date. MIPS Technologies is the first in the market to offer a choice of 2.5v and 1.8v transistors for usb PHYs.
About MIPS Technologies, Inc.
MIPS Technologies, Inc. (NasdaqGS: MIPS) is the world’s second largest semiconductor design IP company and the number one analog IP company worldwide. With more than 250 customers around the globe, MIPS Technologies is the only company that provides a combined portfolio of processors, analog IP and software tools for the embedded market. The company powers some of the world’s most popular products for the digital entertainment, home networking, wireless, and portable media markets-including broadband devices from Linksys, DTVs and digital consumer devices from Sony, DVD recordable devices from Pioneer, digital set-top boxes from Motorola, network routers from Cisco, 32- bit microcontrollers from Microchip Technology and laser printers from Hewlett-Packard. Founded in 1998, MIPS Technologies is headquartered in Mountain View, California, with offices worldwide. For more information, contact (650) 567-5000 or visit .
MIPS is a trademark or registered trademark in the United States and other countries of MIPS Technologies, Inc. Chipidea is a trademark or registered trademark in the United States and other countries of MIPSABG Chipidea, Lda. All other trademarks referred to herein are the property of their respective owners.
MIPS Technologies, Inc.

]]> http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/mips-technologies-announces-usb-phy-breakthroughs.html/feed AT&T U-verse TV Gears Up For Football Season With Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football On AT&T U-bar http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/att-u-verse-tv-gears-up-for-football-season-with-yahoo-sports-fantasy-football-on-att-u-bar.html http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/att-u-verse-tv-gears-up-for-football-season-with-yahoo-sports-fantasy-football-on-att-u-bar.html#comments Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:45:05 +0000 admin http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/att-u-verse-tv-gears-up-for-football-season-with-yahoo-sports-fantasy-football-on-att-u-bar.html DALLAS, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — football fans who have U-verse TV now have a new way to enjoy all of this season’s action. AT&T Inc. today announced the launch of Yahoo! (R) Sports Fantasy football on AT&T U-verse(SM) TV. Sports fans can use the interactive AT&T U-bar to simply and conveniently track their fantasy football team and receive customized information on their favorite NFL teams directly on their U-verse TV.
AT&T U-bar is an interactive feature available to all U-verse TV customers that allows viewers to receive customized sports, weather, stock and traffic information on their U-verse TV screen. Yahoo! Sports Fantasy football is one of several U-bar enhancements now available to U-verse TV customers at no extra charge.
“The popularity of fantasy sports is on the rise, and our customers will be able to stay up-to-date on their leagues and teams from the comfort of their couch, all while watching the big games,” said G.W. Shaw, AT&T executive director of U-verse marketing. “Because of the powerful integration that Internet Protocol (IP) enables, we’re able to bring your personalized fantasy sports and NFL information directly to your TV screen. You’ve got the games and the stats right at your fingertips. What more could a fan want?”
Football fans can set up their fantasy league and team preferences at by using their AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet master account. They can then automatically track the progress of their fantasy team — including current team matchups and league standings — directly from their TV screen through the AT&T U-bar.
Fantasy football enthusiasts can also purchase StatTracker(R), a real-time application that tracks player, team and league statistics, for $9.99 at . StatTracker delivers snap-by-snap updates to users via AT&T U-bar, personal computers and mobile devices, allowing fans to track winning fantasy teams no matter where they are.
In addition to viewing their favorite team’s scores, customers can now display even more personalized sports information through AT&T U-bar. During the NFL season, fans will be able to conveniently view up-to-date NFL game stats on their favorite teams, including the top passing, rushing and touchdown stats for each player and team; scoring logs with a brief description of how each score in the game was made and by which player; and NFL league leaders in receiving yards, tackles, touchdowns and more.
In addition to viewing AT&T U-bar at the bottom of the TV screen, customers can also now enjoy a full-screen version of their customizable weather, stock, sports and traffic information with the touch of a button. The AT&T U-bar also has an enhanced interface, with more navigation options to quickly access information while watching live programming.
Yahoo! Sports Fantasy football is the latest interactive feature added to U-verse TV. AT&T has also rolled out NBC Olympics Interactive, a single on-screen location that offers the latest headlines, live Olympic Games programming, a medal tracker and bios of Team USA athletes; AT&T Online Photos from Flickr, which allows you to simply and conveniently browse the photos you’ve uploaded to flickr.com on your U-verse TV screen; YELLOWPAGES.COM TV, which lets you easily search for local businesses and other information via their TV screen; and AT&T Yahoo! Games.
AT&T is the only national provider to offer a 100 percent IP-based television service, making AT&T U-verse TV one of the most advanced television offerings available anywhere. AT&T is deploying next-generation video services, including AT&T U-verse TV, as part of its mission to connect people with their world, everywhere they live and work, and do it better than anyone else.
Customers who want additional information on AT&T U-verse TV — or to find out whether it’s available in their area — can visit or stop by the nearest AT&T retail location.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world’s most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation’s leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine’s World’s Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America’s Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at .
(C) 2008 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Note: This AT&T news release and other announcements are available as part of an RSS feed at . For more information and detailed disclaimer information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at .
Yahoo! is the trademark and/or registered trademark of Yahoo! Inc.
AT&T Inc.

]]> http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/att-u-verse-tv-gears-up-for-football-season-with-yahoo-sports-fantasy-football-on-att-u-bar.html/feed TOP Ships Announces Termination of Five Leases http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/top-ships-announces-termination-of-five-leases.html http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/top-ships-announces-termination-of-five-leases.html#comments Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:00:05 +0000 admin http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/top-ships-announces-termination-of-five-leases.html ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — TOP Ships Inc. announced today that it has entered into agreements to terminate its bareboat charters for four Suezmax tankers, the Priceless (DWT 154,970, built 1991), the Flawless (DWT 154,970, built 1991), the Stopless (DWT 154,970, built 1991) and the Timeless (DWT 154,970, built 1991) and one Handymax tanker, the Sovereign (DWT 47,071, built 1992), in connection with the sale of these vessels by their owners to third parties.
The Suezmax charters are expected to be terminated by the end of September of 2008 upon sale of the vessels from their owners to third parties. The Handymax lease is expected to be terminated by August 20, 2008 upon sale of the vessel from its owner to third parties.
The aggregate unamortized portion of the deferred gain from the original sales of approximately $13.3 million is expected to be recognized in the third quarter of 2008. Moreover, the Company will receive the amount of approximately $11.3 million in cash, which represents the partial redemption of the initial seller’s credit agreement with the lessors of the four Suezmaxes.
About TOP Ships Inc.
TOP Ships Inc., formerly known as TOP Tankers Inc., is an international provider of worldwide seaborne crude oil and petroleum products and drybulk transportation services. Upon delivery of the remaining suezmaxes to their new owners, the Company will operate a combined tanker and drybulk fleet as follows:
– A fleet of seven double-hull Handymax tankers, with a total carrying capacity of approximately 0.3 million dwt, of which 58% are sister ships. All of the Company’s Handymaxes will be on time charter contracts with an average term of two years with all of the time charters including profit sharing agreements above their base rates.
– Six newbuilding product tankers, which are expected to be delivered in the first half of 2009. All the expected newbuildings have fixed rate bareboat employment agreements for periods between seven and ten years.
– a fleet of five drybulk vessels with a total carrying capacity of approximately 0.3 million dwt, of which 70% are sister ships. All of the Company’s drybulk vessels have fixed rate employment contracts for an average period of 30 months.
Forward Looking Statement
Certain statements and information included in this release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and may include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.
The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “believe,”"anticipate,”"intends,”"estimate,”"forecast,”"project,”"plan,”"potential,”"will,”"may,”"should,”"expect,”"pending” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.
In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include possible shareholder objections to the settlement of the class action, possible shareholder opt outs from the settlement, possible disapproval of the Court of the settlement, possible shareholder class appeals of the settlement and adverse outcomes on appeal, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in the demand for our vessels, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, and other factors. Please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.
Contact: Michael Mason (investors) Stamatis Tsantanis, CFO
Allen & Caron Inc TOP Ships Inc.
212 691 8087 011 30 210 812 8199

TOP Ships Inc.

]]> http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/top-ships-announces-termination-of-five-leases.html/feed PlayFirst(R) Heroine Flo(TM) Branches Out in the All New Assembly-Management Game Cooking Dash(TM) http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/playfirstr-heroine-flotm-branches-out-in-the-all-new-assembly-management-game-cooking-dashtm.html http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/playfirstr-heroine-flotm-branches-out-in-the-all-new-assembly-management-game-cooking-dashtm.html#comments Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:30:05 +0000 admin http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/playfirstr-heroine-flotm-branches-out-in-the-all-new-assembly-management-game-cooking-dashtm.html SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ — PlayFirst, Inc., the innovative entertainment company making games appealing to everyone, today announced the release of Cooking Dash(TM), a spin-off of the DinerTown(TM) story world. Diner Dash(R) and its three sequels, four of the most popular titles in the casual games industry, all feature the spunky, pragmatic Flo, following her adventures as she uses waitressing and customer service skills to become DinerTown’s top restaurateur. Cooking Dash, PlayFirst’s first game featuring Flo that isn’t a direct Diner Dash sequel, introduces a new gameplay style to her loyal fans.
(Logo: )
Cooking Dash is an assembly-management game featuring Flo and her beloved grandma. The duo find themselves filling in at DinerTown’s busiest kitchens as they work to cover a cook shortage brought about by a reality TV program featuring Flo’s hardworking chef, Cookie.
“Cooking Dash serves up Flo like you’ve never seen her before,” says Kenny Shea Dinkin, vice president and creative director of PlayFirst, Inc. “She’s out off the floor and behind the grill, learning a new skill while the player learns a new type of gameplay.”
PlayFirst continues to innovate new experiences in casual gameplay within exclusive story worlds built around richly defined characters and compelling storylines. This innovation consistently brings consumers back to their favorite characters while offering a wide variety of gameplay options.
An exciting story world expansion, Cooking Dash does not replace the Diner Dash series, which is scheduled to release new episodic content as well as full-length sequel games.
Cooking Dash is now available for both Mac and PC. Play a free 60-minute trial or purchase the full-version for $19.95. For more information on the game, or to purchase Cooking Dash, please visit .
About PlayFirst, Inc.
PlayFirst is an innovative entertainment company that makes games appealing to everyone. PlayFirst creates engaging story worlds that capture the imagination and makes those experiences available everywhere consumers want to play. PlayFirst teams create outstanding games, then bring those games to life across popular platforms worldwide, including PC, Mac, mobile, handheld, and console. The company’s portfolio includes world-renowned titles, such as Diner Dash(R), wedding Dash(R), Chocolatier(R), and Dream Chronicles(R). PlayFirst games are available in major retailers and on more than 500 sites in 20 languages. For more information, visit .
PlayFirst, Chocolatier, Cooking Dash, Diner Dash, DinerTown, Dream Chronicles, Flo, wedding Dash, Dash, and all related titles, logos, and characters are trademarks of PlayFirst, Inc. PlayFirst, Chocolatier, Diner Dash, Dream Chronicles, and wedding Dash are registered in the U.S.

PlayFirst, Inc.

]]> http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/playfirstr-heroine-flotm-branches-out-in-the-all-new-assembly-management-game-cooking-dashtm.html/feed Exclusive Interview: Live It Like Beckham http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/exclusive-interview-live-it-like-beckham.html http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/exclusive-interview-live-it-like-beckham.html#comments Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:15:07 +0000 admin http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/exclusive-interview-live-it-like-beckham.html NEW YORK, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ — Superstar David Beckham opens up in the September issue of Men’s Health magazine, on newsstands August 12, 2008, about his unique formula for success. Having reached the one year milestone of playing for Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy, Beckham reflects on bringing notoriety to “football” and to U.S. fans across the pond, choosing his kids over sports, the importance of training in his overall success, and the “madness” that constantly surrounds his family. At age 13, Beckham was discouraged from pursuing soccer from a teacher when he was told, “You’ll never play for England, because you’re too small and not strong enough.” It was those words that set Beckham on a path to change the sport forever.
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Peek inside Beckham’s workout regime from weight training to practice sessions, and learn how one of the most recognized athletes stays focused when game time comes.
On juggling family and sports…
“There is this madness around me, around my family. Without a doubt, out on the field is where I’m most comfortable, where I’m happiest, because I know what I’m doing, and I know I can do it.”
“People always ask me, ‘Do you play golf?’ Because a majority of sportsmen do. I used to play, quite a few years ago, but to be honest, I’d rather spend 4 hours with the kids than 4 hours on a golf course. As much as it can be relaxing, it’s a frustrating sport. My way of relaxing is listening to music and spending time with the kids.”
On the growing popularity of soccer in America…
“I never do anything where I don’t believe in what I’m doing. I see that something could happen in U.S. soccer. That change isn’t going to happen in a year or two. It’s more of a 5-, 10-, or even 15-year plan. I believe in it, and I believe that in years to come, this could be one of the biggest sports here in America.”
On training and handling stress…
“I’m a really bad loser. It stays with me for a while. I always take it quite personally when we don’t win as a team or I don’t win in everything else I do.”
“I don’t worry about any other players. I’ve always concentrated on what my job is more than anything, more than how good the other team is, no matter who the opponent is-even off the field. If you do your job, then there’s nothing else.”
“Preseason if where you get the stability for the rest of the season. I’ll never perform at my highest level unless I’m 100 percent fit. That’s one of my biggest attributes, the energy I’ve got on the field. For me, training is as important as the games.”
“My game’s all about moving around the pitch. I went through a stage a few years ago where I lifted a lot of weights and put on about a stone [about 14 pounds] and ended up not being able to run.”
On his superstar status…
“To be someone kids look up to is a great honor. What matters is how you carry yourself, off and on the field.”
“People always say to me, ‘Why would you place yourself in a position where you have to put pressure on yourself?’ But it’s what gives me energy.”
“I know what I’m doing,” Beckham says of his fashion style.

On what motivated his success…

Beckham credits his father with helping him harness his focus. “Even if I had a great game he’s always say, ‘You played well, but these were the mistakes you made.’ If I had a bad game, I’d hear all about that. When I was playing for Manchester United, playing something like 200 games and winning European Cup finals, he still wouldn’t let me get away with saying, ‘I’ve made it.’ So that’s one thing I have never done and never will do.”
“You’ll never play for England, because you’re too small and not strong enough,” Beckham heard these words from a soccer player at age 13, which led him to his professional career in “football.”
An image of the September cover of Men’s Health magazine featuring David Beckham is available upon request.
About Men’s Health
Men’s Health is the largest men’s lifestyle magazine brand in the world with 36 editions and a worldwide readership of 18.5 million. Published 10 times a year in the U.S. by Rodale, Men’s Health speaks to every aspect of a man’s life, providing its readers with the latest information on health, fitness, fashion, nutrition, relationships, travel, gear and money. Men’s Health was named to Adweek’s “Hot List” of top-ten magazines (’04, ‘05); Advertising Age’s “A-List” for general excellence (’03, ‘04); a Capell’s Circulation Report “Best Newsstand Performer of the Decade” (’04) and top-ten “Best Performer in Circulation” for the past three consecutive years; as well as one of min magazine’s “Most Notable Launches” of the past 20 years. The magazine also won a National Magazine Award in the personal service category (’04).

Men’s Health

]]> http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/exclusive-interview-live-it-like-beckham.html/feed Stephanie Wilson Joins Bill Blass New York as a Senior Vice President http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/stephanie-wilson-joins-bill-blass-new-york-as-a-senior-vice-president.html http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/stephanie-wilson-joins-bill-blass-new-york-as-a-senior-vice-president.html#comments Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:30:06 +0000 admin http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/stephanie-wilson-joins-bill-blass-new-york-as-a-senior-vice-president.html NEW YORK, July 31 /PRNewswire/ — Stephanie Wilson, a fashion industry veteran and a former director of sales at Dolce & Gabbana, has joined Bill Blass New York, the only luxury label in the direct sale apparel industry, as Senior Vice President of New Business Development and Training.
Ms. Wilson brings over a decade of international and domestic fashion experience to this newly created role where she will focus on new business opportunities for the brand including a corporate sales strategy, Internet presence and functionality, international expansion and new product categories. Ms. Wilson will also lead the sales training efforts for Bill Blass New York’s sales “consultants” overseeing training initiatives for both new sellers and the over 200 consultants who currently sell Bill Blass New York across the country.
“Bill Blass New York is poised to have a major impact in shaping the apparel industry and as an integral piece of this process we must continue to elevate the way consumers think about direct sale retailing,” said Ann Acierno, CEO of Bill Blass New York. “Stephanie’s significant experience developing and implementing business strategy for some of the most high profile and iconic fashion brands will be essential as we look to expand our operations through the addition of new sales consultants and explore additional avenues through which to foster the brand.”
At Dolce & Gabbana, Ms. Wilson implemented sales and distribution strategies and leveraged existing distribution channels to significantly grow the Women’s Ready-to-Wear Business. She also recruited, managed and trained the company’s Designated Selling Associates to ensure that both fiscal and seasonal sales plans were achieved. Prior to that, Ms. Wilson served as Vice President of Global Sales at Karl Lagerfeld LLC, where she was instrumental in the integration of the Karl Lagerfeld acquisition by Tommy Hilfiger and the global launch of the Men’s, Women’s and Lagerfeld Gallery businesses.
Ms. Wilson has also held senior positions managing ready-to-wear businesses at both Alberta Ferretti and Vera Wang.
Ms. Wilson earned her B.A. in English and Economics from the College of Charleston in South Carolina.
About Bill Blass New York
Bill Blass New York, the only luxury label in the direct sale apparel industry, launched its premier collection in July 2006. The luxury lifestyle line, sold through private trunk shows by sales consultants throughout the United States, features a range of styles from day to evening. More information can be found at or call 1-800-901-7895 extension 214.
Bill Blass New York

]]> http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/stephanie-wilson-joins-bill-blass-new-york-as-a-senior-vice-president.html/feed American Greetings Chooses the Funniest of Them All http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/american-greetings-chooses-the-funniest-of-them-all.html http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/american-greetings-chooses-the-funniest-of-them-all.html#comments Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:45:14 +0000 admin http://www.salsagadir.com/blog/american-greetings-chooses-the-funniest-of-them-all.html CLEVELAND, July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — When all was said and done, approximately 60,000 people thought they were funny, and while many did prove it, only one could end up laughing last. American Greetings Corporation today announced that Clinton Griffiths of Derby, KS has been awarded the grand prize in the Think You’re Funny? Prove It! caption writing contest in conjunction with the release of their newest line of funny photo cards, Fun Pix.
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Griffiths submitted copy for a picture of two young boys looking down into the kid’s potties they are sitting on. The image resonated with Griffiths, who recently became a father. Inspired by the trials of new parenthood and caring for his seven-month old son, Colton, his caption read, “Sorry your card is late. Dooty called. Happy Belated Birthday.”
“I was shocked and delighted to find out I was the winner. My wife Mary Beth didn’t believe me at first,” Griffiths said. “I’ve always enjoyed looking at funny photos and thinking of humorous captions to go with them. Those are my favorite types of cards to give family and friends.”
Griffiths, 28, works at Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, KS as a communication specialist.
The deadline to submit entries was May 11, and by that time plenty of participants had taken the opportunity to show just how strong a funny bone they had. Participants could submit a card caption for three separate funny images. In addition to the image which Griffiths chose, there was also a curious dog playing with a rubber ducky and a shot of three elderly people (two men and one woman) sitting on a bench as one man had his arm around the woman, she was holding hands with the other behind his back.
The judging was completed by a team at American Greetings, who looked at many factors in deciding the ultimate winner.
“We received a lot of very funny ideas to choose from,” said Mindy Johnston, assistant product manager at American Greetings, who was part of the team reviewing the entries. “When we judged the submissions we looked at many things, but mainly it came down to whether or not the joke that was submitted would translate to a final card, and then, who came up with the funniest idea.”
Griffiths is awarded the grand prize of $1,000.00. Two runners-up will have their concepts posted on AmericanGreetings.com and will also receive one- year memberships to the site.
About American Greetings Corporation
American Greetings Corporation is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of social expression products. Along with greeting cards, its product lines include gift wrap, party goods, stationery, calendars, ornaments and electronic greetings. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual revenue of approximately $1.8 billion. For more information on the Company, visit .

American Greetings Corporation

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