Phase ONE Leasing

New Jerseys 3-2 victory against the Rangers in New York on Wednesday night got the Devils even in the Eastern Conference Finals heading into Game 3 in Newark on Saturday (1 pm ET; NBC, CBC, RDS). It also marked the 44th time in 73 games this spring that the winning margin was a single goal — and in eight other games, the two-goal margin of victory included an empty-netter.

There have already been more one-goal games this spring than there were in all of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 playoffs. Last springs playoffs had 48 games decided by one goal, a total thats a pretty good bet to be exceeded as well. The most one-goal games in the past 10 years came in 2007, when there were 51.

What we havent seen much of this spring are blowouts — games decided by three or more goals. There have been just 12, including Los Angeles 4-0 win at Phoenix on Tuesday. There were 20 such games last spring, one year after there were 33. The only year in the last 10 that saw fewer than 20 was 2003, when there were 17 — a total we might not see this spring.

Of the four teams remaining, the Rangers have had 12 of their 16 games decided by one goal — theyre 6-6. Phoenix has played eight one-goal games, winning six. New Jersey is 5-2 in seven one-goal games. The only remaining team that has largely avoided close games is Los Angeles — the Kings are 2-0 in one-goal games, but 6-1 when the margin is two goals and 2-0 in blowouts.

The 3-2 blues — The Rangers have won all three of their series openers this spring, but each time theyve come up short in their bid to take a two-game lead. New York has dropped all three games by the same 3-2 score, despite playing all three games at home.

The good news for the Rangers and their fans: New York has won Game 3 on the road in both of its first two series.

The Mzuzu International Academy says it is planning a $2million (about K500 million) sports project that should see the institution becoming a leading sports arena apart from its education superiority.

The institutions headmaster George Bowery said this in an interview on the sidelines of a series of activities marking the schools open day on Saturday adding that it was a pity that there were no sporting facilities for a number of sporting events in the Northern Region.

It is a pity that when you go around Mzuzu you see only one basketball court. And I have not heard of any indoor basketball court in the Northern Region. We want to change that, said Bowery.

We want to develop sporting facilities for a number of sporting events at the school. We want to become a leading institution not only in the programmes we offer but also in sports.

Saturdays events were part of a programme that gave parents an opportunity to appreciate the environment in which their wards learn and to interact with their fellow parents.

James Chinula, a teacher in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and music, said the institution was already spearheading development of a number of sporting activities and added that pupils are exposed to almost all sporting events.

He said the institution has grouped a number of sporting events each of which is being offered during a term, a development he said provided an opportunity for all pupils to be exposed to a sporting event.

That way, the pupils would know the kind of sporting event they are good at having tried out all of them, said Chinula.

This institution is not just about class work. We also strive to build a person. Some kids dont just express themselves in class because of the way they were brought up. However, such mentalities change if the pupils are given an opportunity to brush shoulders with others during a sporting event.

Chinula said the institution has planned to groom its pupils in football, netball, volleyball and basketball in the first term; athletics, high and long jump, shot put and javelin in the second and batting events, baseball, cricket and soft ball, among others from the third term.

Browser-Based Games You Can Win Without Losing Your Job

This collection of fun, uplifting, and engaging games will help you take your mind off work for a few minutes–but let you quickly shift back into gear when you need to.

By Erez Zukerman, PCWorld

Nearly a hundred disabled young Islanders and their carers enjoyed a rare opportunity to experience life on the ocean wave at the weekend.

Le Tournoi, the charity that raises funds for local causes through sporting activities, organised the boat trips on board a specially constructed catamaran over the Bank Holiday weekend.

World renowned quadriplegic sailor Geoff Holt MBE has recently agreed to become patron of Le Tournoi’s sailing challenge and to celebrate the occasion he brought his unique disabled-friendly craft Wetwheels to the island.

Le Tournoi liaised with a number of local charities including Jersey Mencap, Earsay, the MS Society, Mont a L’Abbe School and Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled, to give as many people as possible a trip out on the boat either for sightseeing, fishing, or just a bit of fun. Included in the passenger list were a number of wheelchair users who seized the opportunity to participate in an activity which would otherwise be extremely difficult to achieve.

Geoff Holt MBE, who broke his neck in a freak accident when he was 18, has spent his life creating opportunities for those who would not easily be able to enjoy boating to get out on the water. Wetwheels is the culmination of years of hard work and was constructed specifically as a charter boat for disabled sailors.

Commenting on his new role as patron of Le Tournoi Sailing Challenge, Geoff Holt MBE said: ‘I am very honoured to take up this role. Le Tournoi’s ethos is completely in line with my own – creating opportunities for others less fortunate to enjoy what, to many, would seem unattainable. We have had a fantastic weekend in Jersey and see the smiles on the faces of the youngsters is totally rewarding’.

At a dinner hosted for His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Sir John McColl and Lady McColl, Le Tournoi chairman Andy Le Seelleur outlined the purpose of the charity and its plans for the future: ‘Since we began twelve years ago we have raised more than a quarter of a million pounds for local charities through our sporting events. We have plans to increase the number of activities we organise and will continue to cultivate meaningful relationships with local charities, as well as building on the foundations we have laid so that more disabled and disadvantaged people in Jersey can benefit.’

During his visit Geoff Holt had discussions with Le Tournoi about building a similar vessel to Wetwheels for Channel Island waters and the organisation is now to carry out a feasibility study.

Sir John McColl is patron of Le Tournoi, which is sponsored by Investec Bank in the Channel Islands.

Here we are in the last six weeks of the 2011-2012 school year. The students are working hard to master the skills needed to be successful students next year. Faculty and staff are also working hard to make every moment a learning experience and to expose each child to everything he/she will need to be successful next year. Our students are doing great staying focused on their school work, while actively participating in the Spring time activities outside of school. It is very important for each child to read or be read to each evening. Even though this may be hard with our busy schedules, this gives a child the opportunity to see that reading is important and it is the foundation to all learning.

Speaking of being busy our calendar for the month of May has been busy. As we are winding the school year down we have started our year-end activities. Kindergarten students went to the Lufkin Zoo for a day of outdoor learning. Our first and second grade field day was May 9th, this is a day students participate in various sporting activities planned and organized by our PE staff. The students rotate through the activities with the assistance of parent volunteers and Jasper High School student volunteers. Our kindergarten students will be enjoying a water day and our pre-kindergarten students will be participating in a t-ball tournament. All of these memorable moments plus others from throughout this year will be captured in the yearbook that our PRIDE organization is selling.

Along with these events the students are continuing to actively learn in the classroom. All of the students have taken their final iStation assessment, we will be compiling this data and it along with other data will be used in planning each childs educational plan for next school year. We will also be administering our year end assessments at all grade levels. Some of these are administered one-on-one and others are given in whole group. The students have worked hard this school year and have been successful in the classroom. We are proud of all of our students efforts and accomplishments.

Finally, when walking the halls of Few Primary you will see learning occurring everywhere; our parents, teachers, staff and administrators are all partners in the education of each child at Few Primary. Few Primary is Building a Foundation of Excellence in all of our students.

Technolog

Facebook, iPhone, Twitter and Wii. Technology evolves at the speed of light. Msnbc.coms tech reporters look at the gadgets, games and innovations changing our world.

NATCHEZ — With spring in full swing and the flowers blooming, so is the number of litters of puppies and kittens in the Miss-Lou.

The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society shelter is extending its hours and is hoping the longer hours will help the approximately 210 animals at the shelter find permanent homes.

“We are just inundated with puppies and kittens right now,” humane society board member Linda Kennon said. “We are having to turn them away, because we just don’t have anywhere to keep them.”

Kennon said the shelter normally houses approximately 25 cats and 75-80 dogs at any given time, but she said the shelter currently has 60 cats and about 150 dogs.

“We had to euthanize 40 animals (Tuesday) night,” Kennon said. “I know that’s not something people like to hear, and it’s certainly not something we want to do, but we have no choice.”

The animals being dropped off at the shelter are not just coming from Natchez and Adams County, the two entities that provide some monthly funding for the shelter, Kennon said.

People are dropping off dogs and cats, Kennon said, from surrounding counties and in Concordia Parish as far away as Jonesville and Sicily Island.

Kennon said she wishes people would be more understanding of the overcrowding at the shelter.

“People get very aggravated when we can’t take the animals, but we just don’t have anywhere to put them,” she said.

Kennon said the proposed new shelter, which is planned to be located behind the current shelter, will not solve the overcrowding problem even though it will be a larger shelter.

“The problem is people not spaying and neutering their pets like they should,” Kennon said.

LAUREN WOOD / THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT — A mother dog stands with her litter of puppies in an outdoor pen. The shelter will be hosting a adoption Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm at Home Hardware.

Kennon and other humane society board members will be traveling to Las Vegas next week to the Humane Society of the United States Animal Care Expo to meet with suppliers and animal shelter architects to look at supplies and designs for the new shelter. Kennon said the trip is not being funded by the humane society or any funds for the new shelter.

The current shelter, located at 392 Liberty Road, is open from 2 pm until 5 pm Tuesday-Friday and 11 am until 2 pm on Saturday, which is an adoption-only day. The shelter is closed on Monday.

The humane society is hosting an adoption day at Home Hardware from 10 am to 2 pm Saturday in hopes of finding some of the shelter’s many puppies and kittens new homes.

The adoption fee is $45 for dogs and $35 for cats.

The humane society will schedule appointments for pets that have not been spayed or neutered and inform new owners when they can pick up their pets.

Home Hardware is located at 187 Seargent Prentiss Drive.

For more information about NACHS or to view some of the pets available for adoption, visit natchezpetadoptions.org or call 601-442-4001.

• MAYOR OF LONDON PRESENTS….BT LONDON LIVE – A FREE CELEBRATION OF LONDON 2012
• JOIN IN THE EXCITEMENT OF THE OLYMPIC amp; PARALYMPIC GAMES ACROSS THREE ICONIC LOCATIONS: HYDE PARK, VICTORIA PARK AND TRAFALGAR SQUARE
• FROM 11AM TO LATE -EVERY MEDAL, EVERY DAY ON GIANT SCREENS
• TOM JONES CONFIRMED FOR 28 JULY FREE DAY – MORE ARTISTS ANNOUNCED
• FUN FILLED, HAVE-A-GO-SPORTS FOR ALL AGES, OUTDOOR ARTS amp; EXCITING CULTURAL PERFORMANCES
• GUARANTEED ENTRY TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM 16 MAY

All eyes are on London as the greatest sporting show on earth hits the capital this summer. BT London Live is set to transform Hyde Park, Victoria Park and Trafalgar Square into THE place to take part and celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The landmark venues play host to all the live sporting action on giant state of the art screens, plus fun filled sports activities, top class music, entertainment and more – and all for FREE.

From 27 July to 12 August in Victoria Park, 28 July to 11 August in Hyde Park, and 29 August to 9 September in Trafalgar Square, BT London Live welcomes Londoners and visitors alike to watch The Games beamed live into the venues and enjoy an exciting range of entertainment.

BT London Live has something for everyone, from a variety of different live music acts to watching the 100 metres final on a 160m² screen, the 55m high BT Observation Wheel giving views of the Olympic Park, amazing outdoor spectacles, have-a-go sports, bungee trampolining, Zip Lines and Zorbing, plus al-fresco Sports Bars and much more. A great line up of artists are announced today, all presented by Absolute Radio amp; Magic 105.4. They include: The Cast of ‘We Will Rock You’, Feeder, Dodgy, The Levellers, Cast, Amy Macdonald, Paul Carrack and Kenny Thomas. For details of days they are performing go to: www.btlondonlive.com

Breaking News – the free to access days will kick off with a very special performance in Hyde Park by the legend, the voice – SIR TOM JONES. Tom will be on the main stage on Saturday 28 July 2012 at BT London Live.

Families with kids looking to try out new sports, Londoners wanting to catch up with the Games after a long day at work, or groups of friends wishing to catch their favourite music acts live – BT London Live will be the place to be in London during the Games.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: BT London Live is a fantastic way for hundreds of thousands of people to experience all the excitement and live action of the Games for free, and for those inspired by their Olympic and Paralympic heroes to try out different sports. Were planning an unprecedented number of events in every part of the capital and, combined with terrific entertainment at these three iconic locations, it really will be a summer like no other.

Linda Lennon, Chief Executive for The Royal Parks said: The Royal Parks will host BT London Live in Hyde Park – where visitors can watch live Olympic action, take part in sports, and enjoy music and cultural performances. The summer of 2012 is going to be unforgettable and the atmosphere in Hyde Park and throughout the capital will be sensational.”

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman said: “We are delighted to be a part of BT London Live and as one of the host borough’s the excitement to the build up to the Games is palpable. BT London Live will enable Londoners and visitors to get closer to the Games and what better way to watch the events than outdoors on a massive screen in an iconic location like Victoria Park.”

Access to BT London Live Hyde Park and Victoria Park is FREE, just walk up and join the fun. There are a limited number of Guaranteed Entry Tickets available from 16 MAY for those who wish to ensure they don’t miss out on a particular day or their favourite sport. Pre-booked tickets for BT London Live provide guaranteed entry before 2pm. After 2pm, entry is on a first-come, first-served basis, but due to likely demand, may be subject to long queues. An order processing fee of £3.50 will be applied to each transaction of up to four Guaranteed Entry Tickets*. To secure your tickets and for more information about Guaranteed Entry, please go to www.btlondonlive.com. *Guaranteed Entry tickets are not available for BT London Live Trafalgar Square which offers walk in entry at all times, on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to capacity.

Visitors to BT London Live Hyde Park 28 July -11 August will get the chance to:

• Enjoy live music on the Main Stage from some of the UK’s best loved acts presented by Absolute Radio and Magic 105.4
• Have-a-go at your favourite sports including Tennis, Lacrosse, Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Cricket and many more delivered by Sport England and national sporting bodies
• Watch all the action from the London 2012 Games on 4 Giant Screens
• Catch up and coming live music acts on the Bandstand Stage
• Kick back with a drink after work in the al-fresco BT London Live Sports Bars

Visitors to BT London Live Victoria Park 27 July-12 August will get the chance to:

• Have-a-go on the multi purpose sports courts
• Enjoy entertainment on the Main Stage from Norman Jay and Friends, Club de Fromage, Courtney Pine, Sean Rowley’s Guilty Pleasures, Slow Club, Summer Camp Tom Vek, Sound of Latin London, and more
• Experience a first class view of the Olympic Park and the London skyline on the BT Observation Wheel, and sip champagne in a private gondola
• Zip down the 320m long, 45m high, 4 wire Zip Line
• Try your hand at Zorbing, by land or on water
• No matter what your age, have a go at Bungee trampolining

BT London Live Trafalgar Square 29 August to 9 September

Once the focus shifts to the London 2012 Paralympic Games, BT London Live will relocate to Trafalgar Square between 29^th August – 9^th September, where a giant screen will show live coverage courtesy of Channel 4. Entertainment and sporting activities at this iconic venue will be announced over the coming weeks.

Even more entertainment, sporting activities, arts and cultural programming and one-off activations will be announced over the coming weeks.

BT London Live is also hosting two Celebration Concerts in Hyde Park to coincide with the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Snow Patrol, Stereophonics, Duran Duran and Paolo Nutini will perform at the Opening Ceremony Celebration Concert on Friday 27 July, whilst Blur headline the Closing Ceremony Celebration Concert on Sunday 12 August, with special guests New Order and The Specials. For tickets and more information go to www.btlondonlive.com.

BT London Live, is a partnership between the Mayor of London, The Royal Parks and The London Borough of Tower Hamlets, and a key part of the citywide programme of events being organised by the Mayor of London to celebrate the London 2012 Games. Throughout the Olympic Games.

As official radio stations for BT London Live Hyde Park, Absolute Radio (the official national radio station) will broadcast each day from Hyde Park between the 27th July and the 12th August with new presenter Johnny Vaughan at the heart of the action.

Johnny is hosting a daily show throughout the Games featuring interviews with comedians, presenters and Olympians with laugh-out-loud features on all the big events, the obscure sports, plus all the day’s talking points on and off the track, all accompanied by exclusive live music performances to celebrate the arrival of the ‘greatest show on earth’. Magic 105.4, the official London radio station of BT London Live, will also run a series of features reflecting the party atmosphere and musical talent expected each day on the site.

As exclusive radio partner for BT London Live Victoria Park, KISS will be working with the organisers to help programme the musical offering onsite with a wide range of live music, DJs, arts and cultural performances from 27^th July to 12^th August.

The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times are delighted to be the official print partners of BT London Live.

With their unrivalled heritage of getting the inside track on sport, The Times and The Sunday Times aim to be the definitive record of the Games and sit at the heart of celebrations surrounding London 2012. As the biggest-selling newspaper in the UK, The Sun will be using its huge influence, reach and scale to champion BT London Live and help make this a truly great Games for Britain.

Log on to www.btlondonlive.com for full details. For more information about other events being presented by the Mayor of London as part of the 2012 celebrations go to www.molpresents.com.

ENTRY TO BT LONDON LIVE

There are three options for entry into ‘BT London Live’:

1. The Opening and Closing Ceremony Celebration Concerts at Hyde Park on July 27 and August 12 will be ticketed. Tickets will be available via btlondonlive.com.
2. Walk in on the day – all BT London Live dates except the two Celebration Concerts in Hyde Park will offer free access, with people able to turn up on the day, subject to capacity. Hyde Park and Victoria Park will also offer Guaranteed Entry Tickets for access before 2pm – see below.
3. Guaranteed Entry Tickets – up to four tickets per person will be available to be booked, in advance, for entry into BT London Live Hyde Park or BT London Live Victoria Park, before 2pm, on a specified day. A transaction fee of £3.50 will apply per booking. Registration via btlondonlive.com will be required for these tickets. These tickets will not be available for the Opening and Closing Ceremony Celebration Concerts. Times of access will differ in Victoria Park on the days of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and at Hyde Park on Saturday 4 and Tuesday 7 August due to Triathlon events taking place in Hyde Park.

For further information regarding BT London Live please contact:

Ali Castriotis at LD Communications, E: Ali@ldcommunications.co.uk or

Kate Etteridge at LD Communications, E: Kate.etteridge@ldcommunications.co.ukT: 0207 439 7222

Please send all accreditation requests to, E: BTLondonLive@ldcommunications.co.uk

For other information, please contact:

Ben McKnight at the Greater London Authority, E: Ben.McKnight@london.gov.uk T: 020 7983 4071

Melanie Etches at The Royal Parks, E: MEtches@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk T: 0300 061 2055

Shalina Hussain at Tower Hamlets, E: shalina.hussain@towerhamlets.gov.uk T: 020 7364 4754

BT Group Newsroom, T: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial +44 20 7356 5369

Notes to Editors

The Mayor of London is presenting a huge programme of free events and celebrations to add to the excitement of 2012, including ones especially commissioned for a citywide programme of free events that will add to and complement the London 2012 Festival. BT London Live brings live action from the Games and sporting activities and entertainment to Hyde Park, Victoria Park and Trafalgar Square. Other events include Secrets, with artists and performers transforming hidden and lesser known locations, and Showtime, an outdoor arts festival in high streets, parks and open spaces around the capital. To be the first to know about whats happening in A Summer Like No Other, sign up or follow us at www.molpresents.com / www.facebook.com/mayoroflondonpresents / www.twitter.com/molpresents

The Royal Parks, which manages eight Royal Parks including Hyde Park, will play a central role in helping to deliver a successful London 2012 Games. In addition to hosting BT London Live Hyde Park, the largest BT London Live site, 11 Olympic and Paralympic Games will take place across six Royal Parks. These events include the Triathlon and Marathon Swimming competitions in Hyde Park, the Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon events in Greenwich Park and within St James’s Park, the Beach Volleyball competition on Horse Guards Parade and the Road Race events on The Mall.

Almost 40 million Londoners and tourists visit the eight Royal Parks each year. The 5,000 acres of historic parkland provide unparalleled opportunities for enjoyment, exploration and healthy living in the heart of London. The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and St Jamess Park. For further information please visit: www.royalparks.org.uk or sign up at www.facebook.com/TheRoyalParksLondon.

London Borough of Tower HamletsTower Hamlets is the heart of the ‘East End’. Rich in history, it presents a vibrant mix of old and new, creating a bustling community unique in culture and character. Taking its name from the Tower of London and the hamlets that surround it, Tower Hamlets covers an area of eight square miles and has a population of around 220,000. It is bounded by the Thames to the South and the boroughs of Newham (east), Hackney (north) and the City of London (west).

As one of the six Olympic host boroughs, the Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman and the council are looking to maximise the benefits that London 2012 will bring to the borough’s residents.Projects includethe £11 million High Street 2012 programme whichis rejuvenating the thoroughfarethat linksthe city to the Olympic Park, and the promotion of Brick Lane as Curry Capital 2012 to generate tourism. Visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

About BT BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services, operating in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2011, BT Group’s revenue was £20,076 million with profit before taxation of £1,717 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt

About Absolute Radio Absolute Radio is a national, radio station for real fans of real music, comedy and football wrapped up with lashings of personality and mischief from DJs like Christian O’Connell, Frank Skinner, Dave Gorman, Geoff Lloyd, Ronnie Wood and Ian Wright who have the freedom to say what they think and tell it like it is.

Absolute Radio also runs a network of digital decade brands; Absolute Radio 60s, Absolute Radio 70s, Absolute 80s, Absolute Radio 90s, Absolute Radio 00s, Absolute Classic Rock and Absolute Radio extra, the brand’s ‘red button’ service.

Listen on 105.8FM in London and the South-East, nationally on DAB or 1215AM at www.absoluteradio.co.uk as well as apps and digital TV.

Cat Macdonald T: 0207 432 3317 M: 07932 746363

About News International News International publishes The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun. In terms of growth, share, circulation and reader engagement, the Company’s titles are among the world’s most successful. Newsprinters prints the national titles and operates as a contract printing subsidiary for the three state of the art printing plants. Further brands which are part of the group include the Times Literary Supplement andmilkround.co.uk. The News International group has an investment in fashion websiteBrandAlley.co.uk. In 2007, News International became the UK’s first carbon neutral newspaper publisher. This was achieved by increasing energy efficiency, switching to renewable energy and combined heat and power and purchasing high quality offsets.

Dan McMillan T: 020 7782 6190 M: 07887 627716

As I argued in my previous post, the startup spouse is a critical member of the startup team. Therefore, the first thing a newly minted startup spouse must do is get hip with the startup slang.

Like other professions, entrepreneurs throw around a lot of jargon. And why not? Lawyers and judges spew terms like promissory estoppel, quasi-contract and dictum to clients who nod furiously despite their total confusion. Accountants talk about depreciation, amortization and adjusted gross income like they are simple ingredients in a sandwich. And I swear my last doctor spoke to me in tongues (“There is a grade-one strain in the biceps femoris at its origin.” Huh? But I’m just here for a flu shot.) Entrepreneurs, unfortunately, are no different. Terms like iterate and onboard will become commonplace at the dinner table, much to the bewilderment of the start-up spouse who is not yet familiar with these industry buzzwords.

To help new start-up spouses get up to speed, here is a short cheat sheet of some common startup terms as I’ve heard them used, in no particular order:

Angel Investor. A very early investor who swoops in while the Company is gasping for air and showers the entrepreneur with dollars. Halo and angel wings not included.

Financing Process. Code for when the entrepreneur is raising money for the Company. The phrase can be used for when the fundraising process is going well: “We are running a financing process.”  It can also be used for when fundraising is not going well: “We are running a financing process.”

Beta Testing. When a Company sticks its toe in the water by releasing an early version of a new product. Provides the entrepreneur with cover to give a hearty laugh and say, “We didn’t screw up the product, it was just in Beta Testing.” Often followed by a Pivot.

Pivot. No longer associated with pink ballerinas and pony-tailed gymnasts, “pivot” is a euphemism for when entrepreneurs realize that their Business Model isn’t working and they need to make a change before they run out of cash and have to shut down. Would you rather explain a Pivot or a failure? Exactly.

Business Model. How the entrepreneur thinks the Company is going to make money. You should expect the Business Model to change over time — frequently — if your spouse is a first-time entrepreneur. See Pivot.

Elevator Pitch. A winning 30-second explanation of the entire business because that’s how long you would have to explain it if you were in an elevator with a potential investor (unless, like me, you often get stuck in elevators, then you’ve got like 45 minutes to run through your full Powerpoint).

Leverage. This one is tricky because it can be used as a verb, noun or adjective. Often used interchangeably for “to utilize,” “to spend,” “a counterbalance” or “borrowed.” Basically, replace any word with “leverage” if you want to sound more like an entrepreneur.

Monetize. To be able to make money from some action or thing. Investors always seem impressed when an entrepreneur says, “We can monetize that gap.” It’s a go-to phrase.

Barriers to Entry. An unnecessarily fancy way to explain why a competitor cannot compete with the Company. Also sometimes used instead of the colloquial word “obstacle.”

No. The most common word used by venture capitalists, often in connection with a Financing Process. Good entrepreneurs believe “No” is actually a request for more information.

Social Proof. Once the Company gets approval from one investor, other investors suddenly find the Company wildly attractive and need to have it in their portfolio eerily similar to high school dating.

Stealth Mode.  When a startup has a huge, game-changing idea but they can’t tell anyone about it. See Pivot.

One note of caution: use these terms sparingly. Once, while at a dinner with other entrepreneurs where I struggled to follow the jargon-filled conversation, I interjected and said, “To eliminate barriers to entry, I will optimize my chicken by leveraging the salt.” I shot my husband a proud wink that screamed, “Nailed it!” while sprinkling salt on my chicken marsala, oblivious to the curious stares of my dinner companions.

Thankfully, my husband came to the rescue. “We have figured out how to monetize a gap in the marketplace.”  The entrepreneurs smiled and nodded.

Those were the exact words they wanted to hear.

What other startup terms do you find confusing or hilarious? Send Lisa a tweet or follow her on Twitter @entreprenrswife.

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ABILENE, Texas, April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
In connection with the 2012 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, the Board of Directors of First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

/quotes/zigman/55415/quotes/nls/ffin FFIN
-0.40%

today declared a $0.25 per share cash dividend for the second quarter, an increase of 4.2 percent over 2011, which will be paid to shareholders of record on June 15, 2012, with payment set for July 2, 2012.

“We are pleased to announce this increase in our quarterly cash dividend for our shareholders,” said F. Scott Dueser, Chairman, President and CEO.

Shareholders reelected nine existing members of the Board of Directors: Steven L. Beal, Retired President and Chief Operations Officer of Concho Resources Inc., Brownwood; Tucker S. Bridwell, President of Mansfeldt Investment Corporation, Abilene; Joseph E. Canon, Executive Director of the Dodge Jones Foundation, Abilene; David Copeland, President, SIPCO, Inc., and Shelton Family Foundation, Abilene; F. Scott Dueser; Murray Edwards, Principal, The Edwards Group, Clyde; Ron Giddiens, investment and business consulting, San Angelo; Kade Matthews, ranching and investments, Amarillo; and Johnny E. Trotter, President and CEO, Livestock Investors, Ltd., Hereford.

Shareholders recognized Dian Graves Stai, Chair, Dian Graves Owen Foundation, who retired from the board of directors after 19 years of service.

In other business, shareholders approved the advisory vote on compensation of named executive officers, as well as the renewal of the Company’s incentive stock option plan for key employees and an amendment to the amended and restated certificate of formation to increase the number of common shares authorized.

Shareholders also ratified the Board’s selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditors.

Headquartered in Abilene, Texas, First Financial Bankshares is a financial holding company that operates 11 separately chartered banks with 53 locations in Texas. The bank subsidiaries are First Financial Bank, N.A., Abilene, Albany, Clyde, Moran and Odessa; First Financial Bank, N.A., Eastland, Ranger, Cisco and Rising Star; First Financial Bank, N.A., Cleburne, Burleson, Alvarado, Midlothian and Crowley; First Financial Bank, Hereford; First Financial Bank, Huntsville; First Financial Bank, N.A., Mineral Wells; First Financial Bank, N.A., San Angelo; First Financial Bank, N.A., Southlake, Bridgeport, Boyd, Decatur, Grapevine, Keller and Trophy Club; First Financial Bank, N.A., Stephenville, Granbury, Glen Rose and Acton; First Financial Bank, N.A., Sweetwater, Roby, Trent and Merkel; and First Financial Bank, N.A., Weatherford, Willow Park, Aledo, Brock and Fort Worth. The Company also operates First Financial Trust & Asset Management Company, N.A., with six locations and First Technology Services, Inc., a technology operating company.

The Company is listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol FFIN. For more information about First Financial Bankshares, please visit our website at
http://www.ffin.com .

Certain statements contained herein may be considered “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the belief of the Company’s management, as well as assumptions made beyond information currently available to the Company’s management, and may be, but not necessarily are, identified by such words as “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “target”, “forecast” and “goal”. Because such “forward-looking statements” are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include competition from other financial institutions and financial holding companies; the effects of and changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; changes in the demand for loans; fluctuations in value of collateral and loan reserves; inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; and acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses, and similar variables. Other key risks are described in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which may be obtained under “Investor Relations-Documents/Filings” on the Company’s Web site or by writing or calling the Company at 325.627.7155. Except as otherwise stated in this news announcement, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

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FFIN

First Financial Bankshares Inc.

US

: U.S.: Nasdaq

$
32.51

-0.13
-0.40%

Volume: 71,292
May 15, 2012 4:00p

P/E Ratio14.66
Dividend Yield3.08%

Market Cap$1.03 billion
Rev. per Employee$215,647

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