Electrical hazard starts fire Monday night
 
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 HELPING WITH A FIRE HOSE used to extinguish a fire started by an overloaded extension cord at a Louise Street residence on Monday night are, from the left, Bainbridge Public Safety firefighters John Mills, Brett Trammell and Kenneth Ellison.

An overloaded electrical extension cord started a small fire in an Bainbridge residence during the night of Monday, Oct. 23, according to Bainbridge Public Safety.

BPS officers rushed through the chilly, quiet night to 201 E. Louise St. after getting a report of a fire there at about 10:40 p.m. Monday. Cpl. Jon Harrison was patrolling nearby and saw smoke coming from the home after arriving.

Officer Robert Brice, one of the firefighters who went inside, said he saw flames coming from behind a deep freezer and refrigerator, and after firefighters moved them, they noticed electrical cords were the source of the fire. Both the deep freezer and the refrigerator were drawing electricity from the same extension cord, which was overloaded as a result, Assistant Fire Chief James Brock said.

The fire was extinguished within about five minutes, after which firefighters used an exhaust fan to clear smoke from the home. The fire damaged part of a floor, wall and window on one side of the house, Brice said.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, tips to prevent electrical fires in the home include: don't overload extension cords and wall outlets by using more power than they can handle; replace any frayed wires; don't plug electric space heaters into extension cords; keep clothes, curtains and any other combustible items at least three feet from all heaters; and have a professional electrician check out any light switches which are hot, lights which flicker or fuses which are tripped routinely. As always, having a working smoke detector in the home can help a family survive a fire, according to the USFA.

Self-confidence and soul
17-year-old wins Lancaster Headliners

LANCASTER COUNTY, PA - Amanda Ackerman began her vocal career early, humming along with her mother's blender when she was just 6 months old.

Now 17 and with a little more singing experience under her belt, she showed just how good she can be by charming the audience and judges at the third annual Lancaster Headliners competition Sunday the American Music Theatre.

It was a tough call for judges, with Ackerman competing against 11 talented finalists for the title. But after three grueling rounds of head-to-head vocal pyrotechnics, the Landisville teen was the clear winner.

"There were so many good singers in this year's competition," she raved, still breathless from the finale, an ensemble performance of "I've Got the Music in Me."

"I was blown away by everybody," said Ackerman, who placed second in 2005. "I didn't think I was going to win."

Lancaster Headliners, based on the format of "American Idol," is sponsored by the Freestyle section of the Intelligencer Journal.

Sunday's competition was the culmination of a process that began in April with more than 50 Headliner hopefuls. Nearly 5,000 votes in July narrowed a field of 24 semifinalists to the 12 finalists.

The competition got under way with a high-kicking and strutting performance by 16-year-old Josh Bellamy, who injected plenty of pep into the proceedings -- and that was just the beginning.

Some performers had trouble hiding a touch of jitters, while others displayed the composure of longtime stage veterans.

Through three stages of competition, the judges -- Ray "DJ Freez" Rowe, jazz singer Amy Banks and Negative Space bassist Mark Reinmiller -- offered encouragement.

In lieu of the harsh criticisms that have made the acerbic Simon Cowell into a cultural villain on "American Idol," local judges always had a kind word for contestants. At their worst, judges damned with faint praise; if comments focused on song choice or potential, the singer probably knew he or she wasn't moving to the next round.

"It took me years to figure out how to sing and walk across a stage in heels," Banks told one singer who wasn't selected for round two.

In other cases, the praise was more effusive.

"Wow," Rowe said after Naomi Gillies sang "Have a Little Faith in Me" in the first round.

Gillies, 17, who opened the show in a cocktail-length black dress with oodles of starry-night glitter, went on to win second place in the competition.

Ackerman's first-round song was "When You Believe," and she sold it with a powerful voice, soulful gospel overtones and radiant self-confidence.

"I totally have goosebumps," Banks told her. "I love your authentic delivery. ... Loved it!"

Abbey Gunzenhauser, who placed third in 2005 and again this year, did Etta James proud with "At Last."

Belting out emotion with perfect intonation and her voice reaching soaring heights, 16-year-old Gunzenhauser seemed completely at ease, with only a smidge of bashfulness during the applause.

It needed just the scent of smoke and bourbon to transform the theater into a jazz club.

"You gave me the chills," Rowe said.

"From the first note," Reinmiller added, "it was obvious you were in business."

In the second round of competition, Gillies worked the microphone for dynamic vocal control, giving judges a deep and sultry reading of "Obvious," while Ackerman earned high praise from judges for "I Turn to You."

Gunzenhauser reeled her performance back for "The Bed I Made," dripping melancholy with the poise of a pro.

"I'm just mesmerized," Banks said, noting Gunzenhauser's command of feeling is "something you can't teach singers. It's invaluable."

Before the third round began, 2005 Headliner winner Leslie Barton returned for an encore, singing her own composition, "Afraid to Love."

For her final selection, Gillies sang a strong and spirited "Gently Break My Heart," graceful and wholly professional throughout.

"You're definitely a future star," Banks told her. "You have it all. ... I can't wait to buy your first album."

Gunzenhauser may have taken a wrong turn by choosing a mellow reading of "Songbird" that, while expertly rendered, was the weakest of her three songs.

Ackerman, on the other hand, raised the bar with blues nuances wrapped around an aggressive rock sensibility on "I'm the Only One."

"Energy, control and self-confidence, you've got all three, girl," Rowe said when it was over.

"Every time you came out," Reinmiller said, "it was obvious you were feeling the song you were doing."

Ackerman's prizes include a $600 gift certificate from Wee Bee Audio & Video, an $800 digital media package from Mithik Media and representation from I.T.S. Model & Talent Agency. She also won a walk-on role on TV's "Law & Order" and will sing the National Anthem at a 2007 Lancaster Barnstormers game.

She is the daughter of Arlene and Jacqui Ackerman and studies performing arts through the Pennsylvania Leadership Cyber school. She hopes to study music therapy in college.

"Whenever I get the chance, I'll sing," she promised. "That's what I love ... and I'm up for anything."

The Comets 1-5 Gravesend and Northfleet Ladies

Except where otherwise stated, news articles are provided by third parties and any views / opinions expressed in those articles, don't necessarily match the views / opinions of Female Soccer Ltd.

After going through the preliminary round in Women's FA cup, Fleet ladies travelled into London to play FA cup opponents The Comets Sunday 24th September.

Playing the match with poor facilities and on a pitch in a public park at Clapham common, was a leveller to Fleet ladies on the day, whose opposition play their football a few leagues below the ladies side, the pitches were also very small making the early part of the game very difficult for the Fleet to play their normal passing game. But although they play with a poor standard of match facilities the Comets team were very hospitable and played with a determined attitude and a strong team performance, never giving up during a game where Fleet were clearly the dominant force but struggling to play and link together as a team at times.

Hannah Chambers, playing on the right side of midfield today, opened the scoring in the first half, capitalising on a loose ball in the 6 yard box, and Lorraine Grinyer finished off the half with a good strike after breaking through the defence and rounding the keeper.

The inconsistency of officials decisions and many stoppages in play led to a scrappy and frustrating performance by Fleet ladies, although they saw the game through to a comfortable win, they allowed frustration to boil over at times, leading to The Comets gaining a foot back in the game by scoring. At 2-1 there were no further problems caused as Fleet finished the game in superior style with striker Mel Bishop breaking through the defence, rounding the keeper and scoring at a tight angle, followed by a goal with a similar move by Jules Pinder, scoring after breaking down the right wing. The scoring tally was rounded off to 5 by a calmly delivered penalty by Jade Nelson after Jade McDermott was felled in the box.

Not a day or a game to remember but a great result to see Fleet ladies through to the next round which will be 2 weeks time away to south east teams Sheerness east or Horley town, depending on their FA cup result today. Next week Fleet ladies are back in league action, eager to get their season under way only playing 1 league match at present, with an opening day win over Woking ladies, a home match against London Women in the London and South East regional league, 2.00 kick off.

TNA No Surrender PPV Results - 9/24/06
Location: Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Don West
Report By: Adam Martin of WrestleView.com

- The TNA opening hits. A video package then runs highlighting destruction along with political figures making famous statements. These statements are tied in with current TNA storylines involving LAX vs. AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels, Jeff Jarrett vs. Samoa Joe and Christian Cage vs. Rhino. Very well done video package.

- A graphic opening then hits welcoming us to No Surrender. We go live to the Impact Zone where Mikey Tenay previews what we will see tonight. Pyro then goes off above the ring and in the entrance area.

- Backstage, Eric Young is shown getting his “army” of fans ready. They follow him into the Impact Zone and go around the ring giving him the “eye points". A1 then comes out to start up the first match of the night.

- Eric Young defeated A1. Young got the win with his flip-up neckbreaker on A1. Crowd in Orlando was really into Young as usual. Good opening match.

- At ringside, Mike Tenay and Don West plug TNA’s big surprise later tonight.

- Backstage, we see Jeremy Borash going into Jim Cornette’s office. Cornette tells Borash to come in and hangs up the phone. He said he is glad to see Borash for once. Cornette says he takes full responsibility for bringing in TNA’s big surprise tonight and that it will be made by a wrestler who wasn’t scheduled to be here tonight. He mentions it will not only change the wrestling industry here in the United States, but across the world. Wow, this announcement really better pull through.

- Backstage, Chris Sabin, Sonjay Dutt and Jay Lethal are playing the new “Spyhunter” game on the Playstation 2 as Petey Williams was shown earlier making his way out to the ring with a water bottle in hand. Jerry Lynn comes in and tells Lethal that his music is playing. Dutt says they don’t have to worry about timing and shows he has a box of laxatives in his hand. Dutt does a silly laugh and Lethal heads to the ring laughing. Lynn reminds Chris Sabin he has a title match later tonight. Sabin asks Lynn, “Jerry…chip?” Lynn walks off mad and Sabin yells out that he forgot about his chip.

Kodak to tap locals for senior China posts

      Eastman Kodak Co. plans to hire more “powerful locals” to take over as senior executives in China, the Financial Times reported on its Web site, citing Kodak chief executive Antonio Perez.

    Like many U.S. and European multinationals, the New York-based company said the move was part of adjusting to a world where its biggest consumer markets are increasingly a long way from home.

    Kodak had forecast continued growth in sales of traditional film canisters in markets such as China and India. However, consumers in China quickly adopted digital photography and in June last year, Kodak accelerated plans to phase out its traditional film business, in part due to having underestimated the rapid decline of film in China.

    Kodak will continue to sell film in China but is slowing investments while converting factories, such as a plant in Xiamen, to become centers for digital technology, the paper said. Enditem

(Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)
 

Official suggests stock plan for SOEs
 
 A senior government official proposed Saturday a shareholding structure for reforming the large State-owned enterprises (SOEs).

    The government should retain a controlling stake in the big SOEs that are key to the development of the national economy, said Shao Ning, vice chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC).

    But the companies should also aim to list some of the remaining shares overseas, and perhaps also domestically if market conditions are ripe, Shao said.

    "Probably an appropriate stock structure for SOEs would be having a 10 percent to 20 percent stake listed as H shares and a 10 percent to 20 percent stake as A shares, while the majority stake is still controlled by the government," Shao said at a forum on China's economic situation and enterprises development. The SASAC is China's top supervisor of State-owned enterprises.

    A shares are the yuan-denominated shares traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses. H shares refer to those traded on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

    China has suspended initial public offerings on the two local exchanges since August 2004, when the government began a reform program to float listed companies' nontradable shares. Most nontradable shares are held by the government, and make up two-thirds of market capitalization.

    Shao didn't name any possible companies that may be selected as pilots to implement a proposed stock structure.

    In December, China Mobile (Hong Kong) Ltd. (CHL), the listed unit of one of China's large SOEs, said it hoped to list unspecified shares on a mainland China bourse. But there is no timetable for such a move, said company chairman and chief executive Wang Jianzhou.

    Shao said China is unlikely to sell a controlling stake in a large SOE to foreign investors, because it's questionable whether such a move would do good to the long-term development of the economy.

    This year, the government will launch a State-owned capital budget system to help make better use of state assets, said Shao.

    As part of the planned system, the government will sell off the assets at certain enterprises with bad management and use the money to replenish capital for other, more important SOEs, he said.

    The government also plans to set up a few asset management companies, which will hold some stakes in SOEs, to supervise the state assets as proxy for the SASAC, said Shao.

    The SASAC oversees the central government's 169 major enterprises. In January to November 2005, sales of these enterprises rose 21.8 percent from a year earlier to 5.99 trillion yuan, according to the SASAC. Enditem

(Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)
 

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Indonesia to reschedule foreign debts 　  
 
State Minister of Indonesia's National Development Planning Paskah Suzeta has said that he will try to reschedule the country's debts with Japan bilaterally.

    "Now I give a priority (of debt rescheduling) to Japan," Paskah Suzeta, who is also Head of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) said after attending a preliminary cabinet meeting on Monday night.

    "The Indonesian debt to Japan accounted for 40 percent of the country's total foreign debts," Antara news agency on Tuesday quoted the minister as saying.

    He also said that actually the rescheduling could be done this year but it must be submitted to a multilateral forum.

    On the state's debt, he said that his office is arranging a debt reduction strategy. To reduce debts, there are two matters that could be carried out, namely to attract investment and debt swap, he added.

    The debt swap is carried out with Germany in the education sector, he said.

    He would be careful in making new loans, the minister added.

    He said that the program of the procurement of hospital equipment, for example, could be funded from domestic financial resources.

    The number of domestic-funded programs is relatively high in 2006. Suzeta said the debt ratio is projected at 30 percent of the GDP in 2009.

    Coordinating Minister of Economy Boediono, meanwhile, said that the foreign debt monitoring and evaluation team of which he is chairman has the objective, among other things, to reduce debt ratio.

    He said that the team is now stepping up encouragement for economic activities. One of the ways is to tighten project implementation financed by foreign debts.

    The minister also said that the ideal debt ratio is 30 pct of the GDP.