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Bird watching is only game in town

Admin — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:57:46 +0000

ORIGIN GALLERY: 1986-1991 Origin explodes

ORIGIN GALLERY: 1992-1997 NSW dominates

Interactive: Boos Origin player profiles

There is an argument from rugby league powerbrokers that the game owns Melbourne whenever the Origin circus rolls into town.

Someone might want to tell Melbourne that.

To bring one down here annually would be a massive thing, Bird said. To take a game away from a rugby league stronghold state. But if its going to be for the betterment of our game, so be it. If the people down here want to get behind it, so be it. Ill tell you after Wednesday night.

Apart from the NSW teams distinctive team bus, the Origin opener is gaining little traction in a foreign land.

A Media Monitors analysis this week shows the match is receiving scant coverage in Melbourne. The citys leading newspaper, The Herald-Sun, published seven paragraphs of coverage on Tuesday.

While the match at Etihad Stadium is a sell-out, it is understood the match is heavily subscribed by Queensland supporter groups.

ARL Commission marketing director Paul Kind says no deal to move an Origin to Melbourne has been struck. There is no formal offer on the table. But a decision is expected before the end of this years series.

Were having a sensible negotiation with a long-term partner about continuing a relationship thats been very successful for the game, Kind said in reference to Melbourne hosting Origins and Test matches in recent years.

If you go back and look at what the last seven years have achieved in Victoria, its been beneficial at various levels: at grassroots, at building the profile of the sport with major events to complement the Storm. And for the Victorian Government its been beneficial because its driven the kind of tourism numbers that are very hard to drive in the middle of the week in the middle of winter.

Well get 15,000 to 17,000 people travelling to Victoria next week. On all of its measures, thats a sensible arrangement to have in place.

They wont say it publicly, but many NSW players arent happy about preparing away from their heartland. A key part of coach Ricky Stuarts preparations last year was ensuring his players mixed with the public instead of hiding them away. It allowed them to see how much Origin means to the people they represent.

NSW players Mitchell Pearce and Robbie Farah were said to be stunned when they attended a live broadcast of The Footy Show at Crown Casino on Thursday night.

Because the Maroons feature Storm stars Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk, the 700-strong crowd was pro-Queensland.

The argument that Sydney fails to pack ANZ Stadium is also a fallacy. Game two sold out last year, and the full house sign is expected to go up on this years fixture – on June 14 – next week.

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Super Rugby: NSW Waratahs lose 19-13 to Stormers in Cape Town

Admin — Sun, 20 May 2012 04:10:15 +0000

Five-eighth Berrick Barnes persisted with a barrage of high kicks, but they gleaned little reward, the Stormers back three consistently defusing his bombs.

The Stormers crossed through fullback Joe Pietersen in the 17th minute after the home team threw the ball wide.

Pietersen kicked a penalty and hooker Tiaan Liebenberg added a try in the 33rd minute, diving over in the corner following a driving maul from a lineout.

The home team finished the half with a penalty to five-eighth Peter Grant following an attack that lasted almost 20 phases.

NSW made a perfect start to the second half, with centre Rob Horne scoring a try following a burst from replacement lock Kane Douglas and good work from No.8 Dave Dennis.

Douglas came on shortly after the 20-minute mark following what looked like a shoulder injury to second-rower Sitaleki Timani.

A McKibbin penalty closed the gap to 16-13, but Grant replied in kind three minutes later to swell the home teams buffer to six.

Waratahs prop Sekope Kepu missed a golden chance when he dropped the ball five metres out from the Stormers line and compounded the error by giving away a penalty with a dangerous tackle on Liebenberg.

The Waratahs, who were on the wrong end of the possession count in the first half, tried manfully to bridge the gap in the final quarter, but couldnt find their way through the tightest defence in the competition.

Fulltime:

STORMERS 19 (Tiaan Liebenberg, Joe Pietersen tries Peter Grant 2, Pietersen pens) bt NSW WARATAHS 13 (Rob Horne try Brendan McKibbin con 2 pens) at Newlands Rugby Stadium. Referee: Craig Joubert.

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Fiat Punto Sport diesel at Rs. 7.36 lakhs

Admin — Sun, 20 May 2012 00:16:33 +0000

Zeebiz Bureau

Pune: The Fiat Punto Sport, a limited edition 90 hp is in the Indian auto market selling at Rs 7.36 lakhs (ex showroom Delhi). The diesel hatchback is available for a price of Rs 7.58 (ex showroom Mumbai) and for Rs 7.36 (ex showroom Pune).

Punto Sport diesel sports a turbocharged 1.3l multijet diesel engine churning 93 PS @ 4000 rpm and 209Nm torque @ 2000rpm.

Its turbocharger also allows for fuel efficiency of 20.5 kmpl, remembering it is to cater to Indian roads.

The exteriors and interiors accompany an impeccable distinction, which is after all the work of Designer of the Century, Giorgetto Giugiaro.

The Limited edition Punto Sport Grande carries three distinct colours, namely, Bossa Nova White, Hip Hop Black and Exotica Red.

The limited edition accompanies rear and colour coded door mirrors and special side decals.

With Agencies Input

Geokinetics Reports First Quarter 2012 Financial Results

Admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 21:56:28 +0000

HOUSTON, TEXAS – May 10, 2012 – Geokinetics Inc. (NYSE Amex: GOK) today announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

First Quarter 2012 Results

Geokinetics Inc. reported a loss applicable to common shareholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 of $25.7 million or $1.35 per basic and diluted share. This compares to a loss applicable to common shareholders of $31.0 million, or $1.74 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. Consolidated revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2012 totaled $163.5 million compared to $187.6 million for the comparable period in 2011, a decrease of 13%. Results for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 include a $1.9 million gain from a change in the fair value of derivative liabilities, a $3.9 million gain from a reciprocal transfer of assets, a $2.1 million gain from insurance proceeds received related to the Niobrara fire in April 2011 and a $5.1 million loss incurred in connection with the sale of certain North American seismic data. Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measurement, defined below) increased to $19.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 from $19.1 million for the same period of 2011.

Backlog

Backlog was $464.7 million as of March 31, 2012. The Company anticipates that approximately 30% of the backlog at March 31, 2012 will be completed in the second quarter of 2012, 45% will be completed in the remainder of 2012, and 25% will be completed in 2013 and 2014.

Commentary

Richard F. Miles, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, During the first quarter of 2012, we experienced improvements in our operations in the US and Canada with increased activity and improved crew productivity. Our large Ocean Bottom Cable crew operating in Mexico saw continuous operational improvement as we moved away from the seasonal bad weather, exceeding our internal expectations and we expect this trend to continue throughout the second quarter. Furthermore, the sale of our conventional gas data library provided $10 million of incremental liquidity upon the closing of the transaction at the end of March. Despite these positive developments, job awards are being delayed in the Far East and we anticipate that the US and particularly Canada operations will slow down during the second quarter of 2012 compared to the activity during the first quarter. Improving liquidity continues to be our primary focus and remaining at the top of our priority list are increased asset utilization, cost reductions and sales of non-core assets. Our backlog decreased to approximately $465 million at March 31, 2012, which is predominantly in North America, Mexico and Brazil as these remain the areas where we have chosen to focus.

Geokinetics Inc. and Subsidiaries
Summary of Results
(In thousands, except shares and per share amounts)

North Korean leader unleashes fury on ‘pathetic’ amusement park

Admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 18:27:42 +0000

PYONGYANG — North Korean leader Kim Jong Eun unleashed his fury on what he called a pathetic amusement park after spotting weeds and peeling paint on rides during a tour of the venue.

The pudgy despot grew angry that some parts of the Mangyongdae Funfair — built, according to state media, by the great loving care and benevolence of his late father, Kim Jong Il — did not meet his standards.

The young Kim, thought to be in his late 20s, blasted a broken path in front of a Viking ride as pathetic, became irritated at flaws on the rollercoaster and grew annoyed at what he called the faulty arrangement of some decorative trees, the state-run KCNA news agency reported.

He lashed out at officials and caretakers for not serving the people and demanded to know how workers could have missed such important details.

This is not just a business issue but an issue concerning ideological viewpoint, Kim said, in a serious tone, according to KCNA.

At one point, the countrys supreme leader even knelt down and plucked some weeds himself to demonstrate how easy it was.

He ordered the sprucing up of the fair and issued what he called a serious warning to officials, who he said had a below-zero spirit of serving the people.

It was the first time media in the secretive Communist regime reported such a public censure by the new leader and is thought to be an attempt to portray him as a stern man, dedicated to serving the North Korean people.

Amusement company’s long ride comes to an end

Admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:45:20 +0000

A customer looks at carousel horses for sale at Hurlbut Amusement Co. in Buena Park. Owner Wendell Bud Hurlbut died last year at 92.
(Don Bartletti, Los Angeles Times / April 13, 2012)

No summer vacation for Olympic skier

Admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 05:39:05 +0000

CONWAY — Coming off her best season yet on the US Ski Team, Leanne Smith believes even better results are just on the horizon. Smith, a 2010 Olympian and the daughter of Paula and Joe Smith, of North Conway, finished fifth in the final Super G World Cup race of the season and then was second in the same event at the US Nationals to wrap up her fifth year on the US team. Next season is about to begin for the fun-loving yet fiercely competitive ski racer.
Smith, who dropped by The Conway Daily Sun Wednesday, headed to Mammoth, Calif. two days later for nine days of training with her US Ski Team teammates.
No summer vacation once again for the former Kennett High three-sport (soccer goalie; shortstop in softball; and skier) standout who earned 12 varsity letters during her career with the Eagles.
After camp we start lifting and working out again, Smith said. Im going to go out to Park City (Utah) periodically through the summer in between camps and when we have the high-volume of training and the intensity is high in the gym, well go back there to get the guidance of trainers and physical therapists.
Smith, who has also found some time in her hectic schedule to continue her education, hopes to declare business as her major in the near future. She had been taking courses at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, but believes she may have to finish up pursuit of her degree online simply due to other commitments.Leanne Smith
Its hard especially since we have camp, she said. It really gets involved during school because theres a three-week crossover that makes things really difficult.
Although often thousands of miles from home, Smith still continues to following the racing fortunes of her former teams, both Kennett High, which her sister Laurel Zengilowski is the head coach of, and the Mount Washington Valley Ski Team, which Dave Gregory is the head coach and program director for. Shes in regular contact with both.
Is it a surprise anymore that (the Eagles) are always first, Smith said, laughing. Its no surprise to me, but always great to see. I follow both teams.
Whats Smiths strength as a ski racer?
Her mental toughness, Gregory said. She is not easily rattled and is extremely competitive; very focused and goal oriented.
Smith thought for a moment about her strengths.
I think that sums me up pretty well, she said. I think as time goes on Im a little less competitive, just in other things. Skiing probably not because I do get just as worked up because its all on you. I think thats a good thing about it. In any team sport, yeah I hated losing, but it was a team effort. In skiing, its your fault when youre not doing as well as youd like.
Gregory recalled a couple of Leanne stories.
One of my favorite stories was the first time I had her in the gym to start strength training when she was 14 or 15, he said. By the end of the workout she almost passed out and almost threw up. I didnt know it but she hadnt had much to eat that day and she bonked pretty hard. Also the time she won two FIS Super Gs in one day at Okemo.
Another time we were at Okemo for a Super G and it was well below zero, Gregory said. The race was on hold because of the cold. All the other girls from other teams were staying in the lodge and not skiing. I had Leanne out skiing so she would be used to the cold and told her it would give her an advantage over the other girls. We skied all morning and they cancelled the race because it was too cold.
I got frostbite, Smith said, laughing. The whole thing got canceled because it was so cold and windy. I was on the chair by myself gripping the back of it because it was swinging so much, it nearly hit a tower. I came into the lodge and (had frostbite). It was scary.
Once of Smiths favorite people in the world is Tyler Palmer, of Conway, who on Jan. 23, 1971 won a slalom World Cup race at St. Moritz, the first ever World Cup victory for an American male. She was delighted to see him enshrined into the United States Ski Association Hall of Fame last month.
I was supposed to do a video for it because they do a video for each of the inductees but the person who asked me forgot and I forgot.
In a sport such as skiing, races are decided by the blink of an eye and the margin for error is such a fine line.
Once you get to the top and youre racing World Cups all the time you realize how every little mistake counts and it can really hurt you, you can be fourth place or 20th place, Smith said. Ive been a couple of 10ths of second from a podium. You just never know, you cant make too many mistakes.
Both Gregory and Doug Haney, of the US Ski and Snowboard Association, believe Smith is on the verge of big results.
Leanne produced easily the best season of her career, Haney said. She was an integral part of an American womens speed team that toppled Austria in the downhill standings by a staggering 636 points. She now knows she can compete with the best in the world. Next season, its not going to be about when will she crack the top five, it will be about when will she stand on her first World Cup podium. Shes that good.
She is ready for some podium performances, Gregory said.
Smith admits thats a realistic goal going to the 2012-13 season.
I do feel like this was the best season so far, she said. Every year Ive made leaps in different aspects of the sport and this past year for me was pretty big. At the beginning of last season, at May camp where Im about to go on Friday, I was working with the head of PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors In America) in the United States and his name is Mike Rogan. Hes also the manager down in Portillo (Chile) where we go to train speed every September. I worked with him all of Mammoth camp last year just doing slow drills back and forth across the hill with him making sure that everything is perfect and parallel and I just hammered it. I hammered it in Mammoth, I hammered it in New Zealand and again in Portillo. Id see him in the morning in Portillo and then wed go train after.
I think I realized in order to get to the top where I want to be I had to change my skiing, Smith continued. Before there was some good things about my skiing but there are always things that you can be fixing. I needed to change my body positioning for certain parts of the turn. I had to go back and completely break it down to where I could hold positions on tougher courses and just be more solid all of the time instead of half of the time or three quarters of the time.
Smith said there were a number of highlights this past season.
One of my highlights was actually being in Beaver Creek (Colo.); this year we had our first womens World Cup there ever, she said. And the 2015 World Championships will also be in Beaver Creek so that means after Sochi (site of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Russia), World Cup Finals will be in Beaver Creek and then the next year World Championships will be in Beaver Creek which is huge. Were all really excited about that. Because of weather problems in Val dIsère, France this December, FIS (Federation of International Skiing) changed a race site to Beaver Creek because the men were there and the course was already set up. We went there and did a Super G and the snow was just amazing. The hill is kind of tough. We did a little dogleg that made it a little longer I think.
The Beaver Creek thing was sweet because no women had run on it, Smith continued. The first race (Super G) at Lake Louise (Canada, prior to Beaver Creek) I just wasnt on it. I put a lot of pressure on myself because I know the Super G is my better event and that I need to be in there. I really enjoyed my Super G skis this year. I had a lot of command of them and I knew exactly where I need to be on the ski and I could drive into the boot early. In downhill I didnt. I was on the longer ski for various reasons, but I had a shorter ski from last season that had a fast base so we went with that. I just wish I had something that I felt better on in downhill, but that doesnt mean this year it wont be.
Smith is a speed racer for the US Team focusing primarily on downhill, Super G and Combined (a run of downhill and slalom on the same day).
I like Combined alright, its a long day, Smith said. I think that a lot of us feel it is a little bit of a dead event. If Im watching baseball or football I want to see to the best in the world. I want to see the best at their craft. When you watch men or women in Combined youre going to get a not very good downhill skier or a not very good slalom skier. So youre getting both of that each run you watch and its not very pleasing to the viewer. Theyre going to keep it for the Olympics and the big events so we have to do it at least twice a year. They should just stay with the single events in my opinion so you can see the best skiing out there.
There are new skiing regulations coming out next year that may change the sport a little.
Heading into her sixth year, Smith is comfortable with the routine of the team, the World Cup venues and the race mountains.
There always will be new venues but a lot of the times every couple of years you go back to the same one so you remember certain parts, she said. The terrain can be totally different depending on the amount of snow. Obviously experience is a big thing. You go to these mountains with some downhills harder than others and sometimes youre skiing better than others or sometimes youre injured, sometimes youre not. I think there are a lot of factors that go into it but just having been around and knowing how you need to ski to do well, the confidence that you need to be riding on to do well those are important.
Off snow Smith wears a womens size 9 shoe, but on the slopes its a snug-fitting size 6.
Skiing starts from the ground up, she explained. You have to be doing the right thing with your ankles. It goes ankles, knees, hips and shoulders. If youre skiing with your hip and shoulder then your feet follow. If youre stable on the ground it starts with your feet, your knees all the way up. Obviously in skiing you dont want to be leaning in right. If you drop your shoulder in you have no push on the ski.
Smith had a nasty fall late in this recent World Cup season that forced her to miss a couple of races and training.
I went to Sochi and when I raced there I wasnt really in a good place, she recalled. I hadnt done anything for two or three weeks. The crash in Garmisch (Germany) was probably one of the hardest crashes Ive had in a long time. They had gotten some new snow overnight in Garmisch and it was flat light and there was probably six inches of new snow. Sometimes FIS gets a little overzealous with wanting to make it happen. They pushed (the start of the race) back 15 minutes to half an hour, I wish they had pushed it back a little further. I got a little late coming over a traverse and then on the next turn my ski got rerouted because of the extra snow. I was just running the low line and they hadnt slipped the low line and my ski ended up behind me and it started catching like this with this one going this way toward the fence. It was like slow motion and then it twisted and it tore my calf muscle. I couldnt walk. And then that ski went off and made this huge contusion on the other knee and I couldnt walk on that one for a couple of days. It was so brutal.
Then I tried to see if I could race on Sunday because I made it into the Top 15 in Super G and I drew 10, she continued. I had to at least try, but when I went up on the hill I couldnt even stand so I couldnt do anything for three weeks until it healed. I came back here for a week and then I went back there. It was starting to feel better in Sochi, but it wasnt all the way back. It was feeling better but I just hadnt skied. I literally hadnt done anything.
Smith likes Sochi and hopes to be there for her second Winter Olympics in 2014.
Its a very strange place, she said. Its a very strange place. The security is intense and theyre literally building from the ground up. It kind of reminds you of like Disneyland the way the buildings are coming up. The clock tower wasnt there a year ago. Theyre trying to make it look like a town thats been there for awhile, but the mountains are sweet there. Its a lot like a Whistler (Vancouver, Canada) climate because its right on the Black Sea. Its like 40 minutes away from Sochi which is right on the Black Sea.
First we have World Championships this season in Schladming (Austria) which will be a huge event because the Austrians take their skiing so seriously as we all know, Smith continued. They get pretty excited. Its definitely interesting. Ive been thinking about the future, but there are things you have to do before that. I think youre always thinking about what youd like to have happen for the next season. For me right now its about the new FIS regulations and the the skis and making sure that I like whats going on with them and getting used to them and hope that they suit my style of skiing.
World Cup season starts in November. The US womens team will head to New Zealand in the middle of July to Aug. 1 and then Sept. 1 to mid September in Portillo, Chile.
Smith speaks highly of her teammates and is proud of the accomplishments in being the top team in the world.
Theres a lot of people working together and there are a lot of people who want to do well — its a combination for success. Were a great team and we all have our strong suits. If theres a team that I want to train and race with, I know its ours, she said.
Having traveled the globe, Smith says theres still no place like home. Its nice here, she said with a big grin. Its a nice time of year and nice to see family this is home.
Smith said she may start a blog but the best way to follow her and the team is through Universal Sports online, which airs all of the races and offers in-depth interviews. You can also friend her on Facebook.

New amusement park set to open in Pigeon Forge

Admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 01:39:07 +0000

Soon the sound of screams, and laughter, will be heard just one block away from the famous Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge.

The new Soaring Eagle zip line with a height of 80ft will zoom over a volcano and will narrowly miss a 65 foot Ferris wheel.

Soaring Eagle is part of Fun Spot, a new amusement park at 3275 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

This is a very new concept than other parks in the area, manager of Fun Spot, Tony Joiner, said. The rides at Fun Spot will be the biggest in town; and will consist of giant carnival type rides, thrill rides, and fast go-karts.

A two story elevated go-kart track will be available for customers who want to go high and fast, Joiner said. A slick go-kart track features go-karts that slide as they go around the corners. A junior track will be available for younger children, where they will be able to drive their own go-kart. All go-kart tracks will have water misters to keep the customers cool during the hot summer months.

The Soaring Eagle Zip Line is a two passenger ride. Customers are loaded from the ground and are brought to the top of the 80-foot tall zip line. The zip line will go over a mini golf course, and will go over a giant volcano, and will narrowly pass through the 150 foot tall Skyscraper ride, Sling Shot, and the 65 foot Ferris wheel, Joiner explained.

The Skyscraper is what Joiner describes as, A Ferris wheel on steroids that spins around at a speed of 60 mph, he said. It is an extremely smooth ride that also gives an excellent view of the town and the mountains.

Owner, Ralph Hamlin, who has been in the amusement business for 35 years, has owned amusement businesses in other areas of the country, I want customers to have a unique experience here, he said. There are rides for every different age group here. We are creating a carnival type theme for the customers to enjoy, along with some extreme rides and go-karts.

Fun Spot will offer ten carnival type rides.

A 35-foot tall ice-cream cone shaped building will house an array of food items including: soft serve ice-cream, funnel cakes, hot dogs, and many other items.

A fun family orientated atmosphere is what we are going for at Fun Spot, Hamlin said.

This summer we are offering UT students and faculty a buy one ride, get one ride free, on the go-karts; Fun Spot, at the former location of Smokey Mountain Speed Park, is set to open May 25.

A show of heart and artistry

Admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:42:24 +0000

During most of the regular season the LA Kings were the team lurching from crisis to crisis trying to make the NHL play-offs, but since the post-season began its more the Canucks using this act.

Last night the man who was heavily into crisis management was none other than Cory Schneider who kept this flickering season alive with what would be considered a stunningly exceptional performance except for the fact he does it almost every time he takes the net, particularly on the road.

His appearance in the goal had been the big commotion prior to the start of Game 4 but the kid who has now clearly out-stripped Roberto Luongo as the teams No. 1 rewarded this particular lurch of panic to put him into the lineup before Game 3 with two terrific displays of the cord cottage artistry.

And the question has to be asked: If he was good enough to be the goaltender for what could have been the last game of the season, why wasnt he in to start this series?

Did it take more than 82 games to reach the conclusion that he is their best goaltender at this moment?

While the Canucks showed terrific fight to come back into the game after they tried to hand the series to the Kings, who refused to accept the gift, the start of this one was astounding in its lack of energy and down-right confusion.

Yes, confusion and indifference, the start so slovenly you had to wonder whether the team will be happy or upset with Schneider that he pro-longed this affair with 43 saves. And here of course were being facetious, but seriously, how can a Presidents Trophy-winning team that was threatening to become the first ever in the history of the league to be swept in the first round come out with a start like they did?

Alex Burrows had no idea. Most didnt want to talk about it except Schneider, but whats new there.

Thats what goalies are for, he said. Its your job to be there until the team finds its legs. Its rhythm and thats what I tried to do.

And yes, confusion. For some reason it was determined early in the game that Samme Pahlsson is no longer good enough to take defensive zone faceoffs in his own end – even on the left side – after hed been doing that job down the stretch of the regular season.

So Manny Malhotra was added to the line, but evidently nobody had bothered to inform Chris Higgins and the Canucks found themselves with four forwards on the ice. Higgins had to slink to the bench in embarrassment.

Mannys hot, I guess, said Pahlsson, apparently a little bewildered by the change. I guess we forgot to tell Chris what was happening.

But if the confusion was bad, so was the effort and attentiveness early. It could easily have been a three or four goal lead had Schneider not been as locked in as somebody under house arrest. It looked as though the players looked at each other after one period and said to themselves, Hell, if hes going to play like that maybe we should at least try.

Sure enough, before it was all over they got not only that one period Alain Vigneault was looking for, they got some power-play attempts and for this one night at least, they remembered how it used to function.

Danny makes such a difference, said captain Henrik Sedin. We need those little plays like that back pass. Thats what we do and when hes not in the lineup you tend to go to the more basic plays like hold the puck and back to the point for a shot there and thats just what theyre (the Kings) are waiting for.

It was beautiful to watch, the kind of artistry the Sedins produce to power this team, Daniel looking like he came out of an air freshener can but sadly, its just three wins and a long way to go.

When you have a goaltender like Schneider, however, striving to add your name to that historical list of three teams which have recovered from 3-0 deficits, it may not be a total waste of vacation time.

IRA Financial Group Introduces Free Plan Administration Services With its Solo …

Admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:19:01 +0000

Serve as your own plan administrator with IRA Financial Group Solo 401(k) Plan.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) May 11, 2012

IRA Financial Group, the leading provider of solo 401(k) Plans, introduces free plan administration services for its solo 401K plan clients. With IRA Financial Groups Solo 401K Plan, sole proprietorships or small business owners with no full-time employees can have their own retirement plan without having to pay annual plan administration fees. Our solo 401(k) Plan clients are able to serve as trustee and plan administrator of their own retirement plans, stated Adam Bergman, a tax attorney with the IRA Financial Group. Because a Solo 401(k) Plan has no employees it is not governed by the ERISA rules, which makes administering ones own plan fairly easy, stated Mr. Bergman.

The Solo 401K Plan, also known as an individual 401K was initially created to provide sole proprietorships and small business owners with no full-time employees with an easy and cost effective retirement program. The IRS did not want small business owners to have spend considerable time or waste resources on complying with numerous administrative rules and regulations with respect to their retirement plan. From a Solo 401K plan administrator standpoint, the solo 401(k) Plan is easy to operate. There is generally no annual filing requirement unless the solo 401(k) Plan exceeds $250,000 in assets, in which case one will need to file a short information return with the IRS (Form 5500-EZ). In other words, if a solo 401(k) Plan has less than $250,000 in asset value, the Plan would not be required to file the annual IRS Form 5500EZ.

For Solo 401(k) Plans that have assets with a value in excess of $250,000, the plan administrator is required to file the IRS Form 5500-EZ. The tax professionals at the IRA Financial Group will help clients complete the IRS Form 5500EZ as well as offer tax support with respect to any questions on the plan making serving as plan administrator safe and easy. By using our solo 401(k) Plans, our clients are able to save hundreds of dollars each year in administrative fees, stated Maria Ritsi, a paralegal with the IRA Financial Group.

The IRA Financial Group was founded by a group of top law firm tax and ERISA lawyers who have worked at some of the largest law firms in the United States, such as White amp; Case LLP and Dewey amp; LeBoeuf LLP.

IRA Financial Group is the markets leading Checkbook Control Self Directed IRA and Solo 401k Plan Facilitator. We have helped thousands of clients take back control over their retirement funds while gaining the ability to invest in almost any type of investment, including real estate tax-free and without custodian consent!

To learn more about the IRA Financial Group please visit our website at www.irafinancialgroup.com or call 800-472-0646.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prwebSolo-401K/IRA-Financial-Group/prweb9497742.htm