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Progress Report

March, 2009

International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 18

Firmscor Newsletter Sunday, March 29, 2009

Firmscor has embedded an RSS/XML video feed from MSNBC's broadcast of NASA's International Space Station (ISS) activities.

The ISS (International Space Station) is now at full power with all major trusses in place. The last part was the S-6 truss. The ISS is 670,000 pounds of mass. The orbit is 218 miles high, with the perigree (lower orbit) being 211 miles. It is over 1 million feet from the surface of the Earth.

As part of Expedition 18 and under STS-119, US Space Shuttle Discovery left the pad on March 13 with; Commander Lee Archambault, Pilot Tony Antonelli and Mission Specialists; Joseph Acabe, Steve Swanson, Richard Arnold, John Phillips, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata. The 13-day mission was to deliver and help install the fourth and final set of solar array wings completing the station's truss or backbone; and, to secure water samples of the distilled water plumbing system which the crew members are not allowed to use until it is tested. Wakata remained aboard the station replacing Flight Engineer Sandra Magnus. STS-119 was the 125th space shuttle mission, the 36th flight for Discovery, and the 28th shuttle visit to the station.

Discovery's undocking began on Thursday, March 26. Sandy Magnus spent 129 days on the space station and returned with the Discovery crew of seven, including Yuri Lonchakov and Mike Fincke. Pilot Tony Antonelli Keenly monitored and controlled the craft's reentry.

On Thursday, March 26, while Discovery was undocking from the ISS, Expedition 19 Soyuz was launched form Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan's barren steppe, containing; Russian Commander Padalka, Mike Barratt, and, Charles Simonyi who are to be members of the ISS team of six. Dr. Barratt is a physician and an astronaut since the early nineties. During an earlier interview at Russian Mission Control Center he said "When the rocket leaves the pad, that's when competition stops and cooperation begins". Chuck reportedly paid $35 million for his two week excursion.

Discovery was scheduled to land at Kennedy Space Center, Florida on Saturday, March 28. Mission Control had waived off the first landing opportunity, due to cloud cover and haze at 2,700 to 4,000 feet and surface winds of 17 miles per hour gusting to 24 miles per hour, selecting Orbit 202 as the landing orbit. It took one and a half hours for the final orbit. Before entry into the atmosphere, in the weightless vacuum, Discovery maintained pitch and yaw within 5 degrees of the preferable 360^o/0^o.

After passing over the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia (near Moscow), and, Mission Control said 'all looks good'

and the results of thousands of years of man's diligent observation, recording, study of velocity and the ecosystem, research, calculation, design, engineering, compilation and interpretation of data, fabrication, and testing packed into a few seconds Discovery turned 180^o(degrees) fore and aft at 17,000 miles per hour (mph) and executed a two minute deorbit burn at an altitude of 215 miles (1,135,200 feet): turned forward entering the atmosphere with nose up 40 degrees while over the Pacific Ocean dropping with a vertical speed of 3 miles per minute (180 MPH); declining to an altitude of 87 statute miles (330,000 feet); By 2:47 PM EDT Discovery had descended to 278,000 feet gliding over Central America at 16,000 mph (mach 21) by 2:49 PM; 144,000 feet,2:54; 132,000 at 2:56; 4,500 mph 3:03; 122,000 feet over the Gulf of Mexico with a range (distance to the landing pad) of 170 miles; slowing to 2,000 mph (mach 2.5) with an altitude of 80,000 feet by 3:07 PM EDT.

Upon entry into the atmosphere Discovery reduced control thrusters, handing over the slow down procedure and attitude to the elevons (ailerons and udderons) permitting air resistance (friction) to reduce speed. Parts of Discovery can reach a temperature of 4,000 degrees fahrenheit. All radios were silent as the complex auto sequencing took place.

Right after Pilot Antonelli radioed "Kennedy Space Center is in sight" Discovery came into view from the ground and the twin sonic boom, characteristic of the shuttle, was heard. Commander Lee Archambault took the wheel for the final crucial minutes. Landing gear was lowered seconds before touchdown. Discovery touched down with a two point landing, at 3 hours 13 minutes and 40 seconds PM EDT, slowly lowering the front of the fuselage and landing gear to the runway, 20 seconds ahead of time at a speed of 338.6 feet per second, which is 231.9 miles per hour. Discovery was returning from a journey of 5,304,000 miles.

The following graph displays some of the astronomical measurements of reentry and is built from notes, and is not accurate. If anyone has any corrections or can extrapolate the missing blocks please email it to vinbur@firmscorel.com. Reports on this activity have a tendency to conflict. Please relay any corrections/omissions to the email address above and I will again make attempts to correct any erroneous information..

	Altitude in Miles	Altitude in Feet	Speed in MPH	Speed in Mach
Deorbit Burn	215 Miles	1,135,000 Feet	17,000 MPH	Mach 22.66
Into Atmosphere	87 Miles	460,000 Feet
2:47 PM ET		278,000 Feet
2:49		247,000 Feet	16,000 MPH	Mach 21
2:54		144,000 Feet
2:56		132,000 Feet
3:03			4,500 MPH
3:04		122,000 Feet
3:07	15 Miles	80,000 Feet	2,000 MPH	Mach 2.7
3:11			400 MPH
3:13::40	0 Miles	Earth Surface	231.9 MPH

The ground crew is not permitted to go near the craft for 45 minutes because of the intense heat and the nitrogen oxides and hydrides characteristic of the upper atmosphere - which is also experienced by the craft's crew who requested permission to open the lower rear portal which was granted.

During the reentry of Discovery, Expedition 19 was docking at the ISS taking less than two days - an apparent record at getting alongside the ISS traveling at Mach 25 (18,750 MPH), and, 211 (perigree) to 218 miles high. A minor problem encountered while docking was solved by Commander Padalka's manual takeover.

The new crew was greeted and the ISS was now housing 6 astronauts. After greetings, and conversing with Mission Control, Kennedy Space Center, Russian Mission Control, and, the excitement dwindled; a smiling Commander Gennedy Padalka reached into his carrier bag and took out a stuffed toy showing it to the camera - much to the joy and admiration of his wife and children watching from Russian MCC. The toy floated weightlessly about the space station. The expeditions contained members from the United States and Russia. Three of the astronauts will be staying on the ISS for 200 days, until December, working on the assembly, performing tests, and relaying data.

Atlantis

The United States Space Shuttle Atlantis' liftoff is scheduled for May 12, also containing austronauts from Canada and Belgium. The rollout to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida is scheduled to begin 6:30 AM EDT on Tuesday, March 31 atop a crawler-transporter traveling slower than 1 MPH during the 3.4-mile journey taking about 6-hours.

During Atlantis' 11-day mission the crew of seven astronauts make the final shuttle flight to Hubble. During five spacewalks they will install, repair, and replace components. The six working, complementary science instruments will have an extended operational lifespan for the telescope through, at least, 2014. Commander Scott Altman and Pilot Gregory C. Johnson will be accompanied by Mission Specialists; John Grunsfeld, Mike Massimino, Megan McArthur, Andrew Feustel, and Michael Good.

All of the astronauts must be able to speak each other's language. It seems English is used the most.

Jim Lovell, Jr.

On Friday, April 3rd, Astronaut Jim Lovell, Jr. is to be presented with the Ambassador of Exploration Award at Patuxent River Naval Air Museum in Lexington Park, MD where he will present the award for display.

Lovell was born in Cleveland, OH and received his bachelor's degree from the US Naval Academy in 1952. He spent four years as a test pilot at The Naval Air Test Center, now the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.

Lovell was the pilot for the Gemini 7 mission and the Command pilot for Gemini 12. He and fellow crewmen Frank Borman and William A. Anders became the first humans to leave the earth's gravitational influence and travel to the moon during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968. On Lovell's fourth mission, he was commander of Apollo 13.

Notes about the Space Program and the Economy July 13, 2009

The radio says the sun is shining.

The global economy is in a nose dive, but no one notices.

Just as no one notices we are standing on a globe spinning at hundreds of miles an hour while it circles the solar system thousands of miles an hour which is travelling through the universe approaching the speed of light.

Earth maintains its companion, the Moon, a mere 286,000 miles away.

The Moon is declared to be uninhabitable by life with extreme heat on the lighted side and extreme cold on the dark side, harsh dust storms, and chasms 25 miles deep; but, containing an atmosphere that is one-third of ambient.

If today's observers were reporting on the earth a million years ago, they might say:

The planet Earth is almost covered with a salty brine which often engulfs the land surface

accompanied by storms which carry the water throughout the land and drop it on the land

washing the contents of the land into the five mile deep salty brine. Surface temperatures

ranging from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to a positive 140 degrees with direct sunlight could

cause surface temperature to exceed a boiling 212 degrees. A huge variety of creatures

roam the earth killing any vulnerable thing for its survival. Most of the barely tolerable part

of the surface is half of the time in total darkness, allowing creatures with night vision to

attack the unwary inhabitants as they rest from the daily struggle for existence. Thick

vegetation on a large part of the surface makes it difficult to move about. Storms occur

creating electrical charges of hundreds of thousands of volts, lashing at the surface as

the electrical charges fry to a crisp whatever they contact.

Such stories about the unknown have hindered space exploration since the 1960's which is now thirty years or more behind in its development toward lunar colonization. Millions could be living on the moon waiting for the Martian Planetary Development Company to complete construction of their new homes on the more bio-friendly martain terrain.

Had Christopher Colombus and Queen Isabella listened to the hearsay that he would fall off the edge of the earth there would be no United States. All of the potato famine victims would have been tossed into the ocean creating a shark infestation that would look like a school of carp at feeding time on all the european shores.

See article on the International Space Station in previous issues.

A Writer's Desk

A heavy desk made of cherry wood containing a door to the typewriter no longer used - replaced by the computer laser printer. A typewriter purchased for writing supplies which replaced the old IBM ball-type, as instructed by a writer who explained it was imperative to have a pica type. The elite was traded for a pittance to make a down payment and assure entry into the world of writers.

A tablet, a patriotic flag, permanent markers - broad, medium, fine, and ultrafine, .05 mm mechanical lead pencil, sharp pencils - ready to write, office/bedroom door lock, tablets with notes about a possible paint job, a pile of papers and folders waiting to be sorted out, wallet w/o drivers license, pen holder without its original pen replaced by a promotional pen from the funeral parlor, tape dispenser without brand name tape which does nothing the brand name tape does, keys to open doors and locks, stapler to minimize loose pages, clock radio with nature sounds, insulated coffee mug, vitamin pack, hand-rolled cigarette packs, two pedometers to check accuracy of pace length and running distance, desk calendar to keep track of events - affording a clean fresh surface every month, lucky stones - for a souvenir idea, windproof propane lighter containing a brass ball in the flame which turns the flame green as it heats - purchased at the national Mensa meeting, all within hands reach, waiting to be used.

June 29, 2009

Scribe

Here are some puzzles to solve. The levels of difficulty are A., B., C., and so on. The Level is found at the end of the saying. The A. Level means the correct answer is either the given letter or the letter that comes before and after it, so A could be Z, A, or C. For the B. Level puzzle the correct answer is either the given letter or one of the two letters that comes before or after it. The answer is a sentence or a saying.

There are seven puzzle answers total, some are repeats at different levels of difficulty. The answer to the first puzzle, a Level A., is found after the list of puzzles.

The first one to email the correct seven answers gets to choose a prize on the Firmstor page. Don't miss your chance to sign up for the Firmscor Newsletter.

091. LQJP FLQXG JKU ECT VQ YQTM B.

INGM CQNUD GHR LZQ SN VNQJ A.

OTMS IWTAJ MNX HFW YT BTWP E.

092. LZQX QNCD HM SGD LQNMS RDZS A.

093. GEQPQOKEU KU C UQEKCN UEKGPEG QH UVWFAKPI JQY RGQRNG

WUG TGUQWTEGU VQ IGV YJCV VJGA YCPV CPF PGGF B.

CAMPMOGEU GU C UMAGYN UEKGLEG MD URSBAGLE JMU RCQRNG

WUG TCUMSPECQ RM ECV YFYR VJCW YYPR CLB LGCE B.

094. SOFFSRUBOFGDF KDYET UP UGUCOO XGUFMO KEYFT UP

ITCYUNDRU SIG TLUGNCAG RERV NE AFYTZARCT B.

095. MEZSMIOF JR SID TUVEX PE B ED RISFE FOAM

FYPESJEMDF JR SHE ADGHDUFLDOS PE B FNAK A.

096. EZNIMIZSHUX ARDFER SNOSFLOU A.

EBOGMIBSHUA CSCCCR APLUFLOR B.

IDOFKLATLUX UGEDER ARKRELSU C.

097. AD FUFS NIMEGUM NE ZOTS FOE A.

DC GUDT OKPEDTL PG ZOWS DOC B.

EG BUDS OLOGIRK PH ZNUT COG C.

Solution 901 is - John drove his car to work.

Good luck!

Solve this Sudoku and tell me the total of how many Sudoku's are possible and select a prize from the Firmstor page. One prize per game per player per newsletter.

To solve the puzzle each column, row, and block must contain the numbers one through nine.

There are three sets of nine blocks at the top, middle, and bottom as marked by the arrows.

No winners yet, as of October 10, 2009.

4					9			6
		9		8		4
		8	1		6		7	9
	5		7		3	2		4
		2		5		7		1
3			2	1		5
2		4			1		5
7	9		8				4
	1			7			8

^ ^

June 4, 2009

Notes on the Economy

These articles contain excerpts, notations, and reports from government agencies, Dow Jones News, ADVFN Newsletters, ABC Round Table, PBS, local news reports, and textbooks depicting an overview of the deepest trough in global economic history recording activities as the Dow approached 6,500 (lowest since 1975) in March, 2009 when economic stimulus strategies started to take effect.

In mid-March of 2009 the world experienced an intense degree of economic downturn. Measurements of the occurence surpass records of all recessions. Japan exceeded US GNP (Gross National Product -total of all goods and services produced; GDP is a total of all goods and services.) in October of 1987, since they are prohibited from having a defense system.

On October 30, 2008, PBS (Public Broadcasting Station) gave notice of a sign of recession, stating, the GDP dropped 1/2 per cent.

The following graphs show the trends:

Sorry, Office 2003 software outdated, so no graphs, here's the raw data:

Dow 2-17 7,596 to 6-02 8,721 Period low 3-05 6,782 high 6-02 8,721

Nasdaq 2-17 1,480 to 6-02 1,829 Period low 3-01 1,093 high 6-02 1,829

S&P 500 2-17 795 to 6-02 943 Period low 3-05 703 high 6-02 943

Gold 2-17 966 to 6-02 984 Period low 4-20 876 high 6-02 984

S&P/TSX Canada 4-01 7,880 to 6-02 10,604 Period low 3-11 7,880 high 6-02 10,604

Nikkei 225 Japan 2-17 7,646 to 6-02 9,704 Period Low 3-10 7,054 high 6-02 9,704

Sensex India 2-26 9,740 to 6-02 14,875 Period low 2-26 9,740 high 6-02 14,875

S&P/ASX 200 Australia 3-10 3,185 to 6-02 3,955 Period low 3-10 3,185 high 6-02 3,955

Shanghai 3-10 2,159 to 6-02 2,724 Period low 3-10 2,159 high 6-02 3,724

Taiwan Weighted 3-10 4,679 to 6-02 6,949 Period low 3-10 4,679 high 6-01 6,954

Singapore Strait 3-10 1,486 to 6-02 2,376 Period low 3-10 1,486 high 6-01 2,380

Jakarta Indonesia 3-19 1,342 to 6-02 1,999 Period low 3-19 1,342 high 6-02 1,999

Kospi S. Korea 3-10 1,092 to 6-02 1,413 Period low 3-10 1,092 high 6-01 1,415

Hang Seng Hong Kong 3-10 11,694 to 6-01 18,889 Period low 3-10 11,694 high 6-01 18,889

On February 15, 2009 President Obama announced a $278 billion stimulus package. Most major indexes were in an extreme decline.

2.17 GMC and Chrysler received 13.4 billion in aid. Tokyo housing fell 24.1 per cent. Nationalization of banks for FDIC a concern for government and business.

2.22 The Round Table said 8.4 million houses have defaulted and private investment decreased dramatically.

2.23 US now owns 40% of Citigroup.

March, 2009

3.01 14,000 people lost their healthcare. AIG Insurance gets additional 30 billion, Citigroup 50 billion, Bank of America 45 billion. AIG stock is off 73% this year and 99% for the last 12 months.

3.03 HSBC issuing 18 billion of discounted stock. GM, Ford, and Chrysler dropped 40%. So far, Australians unaffected by decline. US oil imports have fallen. US crude oil inventories rose 900,000 barrels. Spain's Iberdrola and Russia's Inter Rao make energy deal for EU (European Union), Latin America, Russia, and The Commonwealth of Independent States. Australia Worldwide Exploration looking to buy in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

3.04 US lost 697,000 jobs in February. Canada may require quantitative easing (government bailout). UBS Swiss Bank has new CEO. Heating oil 1.22. Viet Nam buying Russian oil. US refineries reducing production in order to reach $40 target.

3.05 GM and Ford dropped to $2 a share. Wal Mart jumped 51%. Chinese want the Premier to augment $585 billion stimulus plan. ECB (European Central Bank) plans to purchase up to GBP75 billion of UK government securities (Gilts) otherwise known as 'printing money'. Crude imports down 100 million barrels a day. Bond yields move inversely to prices. A 2-year note is going for 0.92 per cent and a 10-year note for 2.8%. Claims for jobless benefits sank by 31,000 to 639,000 last week. BOE (Bank of England) rate approaching zero per cent. Promising to bolster the economy in 2008 a CNY 4 trillion investment was announced. China blamed for not having stimulus package. The Treasury Department auctioning $33 billion in 3-year notes on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, $17 billion in 10-year debt, and $10 billion in 30-year bonds on Thursday.

3.06 US economy lost 4.4 million jobs since the recession began in December, 2007 - half the losses occuring in the last 3 months. Unemployment rate has doubled from 1.3 to 2.9 million. ECB rate 1.5%, BOE 0.50%. Unemployment rate 8.1%. BOE quantitative easing to purchase up to GBP75 billion of government bonds. Lloyd's Banking Group may agree to an asset insurance with the UK government. BBC (British Broadcasting Corp.) says it will make the government stake in the bank above it's current level of 43 per cent.

3.09 Dollar index fell to 88.850 from 89.046 in late US trading. Icelandic government has taken over Straumur Burduras, the country's only remaining listed bank. The Icelandic Financial Supervisory Authority (FME) said it has closed the bank due to liquidity problems. Venezuela's oil minister visiting China, presently supplying 300,000 barrels to China. China increasing copper imports and stockpiling. Russia unable to help their tycoons, stating it no longer has resources. Capitulation point for 2008 - 40 per cent. Lots of Short Sales occuring.

3.10 Dow Chemical bought Rolm & Haas (ROH) for 15.4 billion, now world's leading specialty chemicals and advanced materials company.

3.11 Dollar Index fell to 88.627. Global oil consumption 84.7 million barrels per year. Contract value for 30 CS100 aircraft is about $1.53 billion or 51 million per craft.

3.12 With imports stopped US crude oil supply rose 700,000 barrels, analysts expected a 1 million barrel decrease.

60's opinion diminished US oil production for conservation reasons.

3.13 Time Warner appointed Google Inc. executive Tim Armstrong as Chairman and CEO of its AOL unit replacing Randy Falco, who along with President and COO Ron Grants plans to leave the company after a transitional period. Commerce Department said trade deficit narrowed to $36.0 billion, was 39.9 billion in December. Canada trade deficit rose to $993 million in January compared to 700,000 in previous month. India bank rates between 6 and 8 per cent. Chinese economy rising after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao allocated 595 billion yuan for stimulus moves. Gold close to $1,000 per ounce.

3.17 America's oil stockpiles increasing, double expectations, at 749,000 barrels.

3.18 Japan Bank 0.1%. Federal fund rate 0 to 0.25 per cent. IBM wants to buy Sun Microsystems (Java), possibly for $65 billion. Oil inventory 749,000 barrels, looking for 1.2 million.

3.27 Eurozone industrial orders dropped 34% in January. The most on record. Hong Kong exports dropped 23% in February, and 21.8% in January. US unemployed rose to a record 5.56 million.

April, 2009

4.08 Family Dollar rose 33.3% to 1.992 billion.

4.09 Canada trade surplus 3.4 billion. UK February exports 18.9 billion pounds, imports 26.2. Bank of England interest rate 0.5% since 10.08. Japan may announce $154 billion stimulus package. Bank of Korea freezes interest rates at 2%. Japan automakers increase 2-10%. Swiss Bank decreasing work force from 76,200 to 67,500 in 2010. German wholesale prices dropping 1% per month.

4.15 Li & Fung, a Wal-Mart supplier, dropped 10%. Ebay selling Skype. CSX share earnings drop from .85 to .62. 1st quarter drop, 17% to 2.25 billion. US job claims 610,000 for week ended April 11. ComScor said Google has 63.7% of US search market, Yahoo 20.5%, and MSFT 8.3%. March housing starts 510,000 with declines in multi-family units. Sony cuts 2,000 jobs.

4.17 Hilton acquired Starwood Hotels expansion info. Eli Lilly rose 5% in first quarter.

4.20 Bank of America first quarter net profit, 4.2 billion. Oracle Corp. buying SUN Microsystems for 7.4 billion or 5.6 billion net of Sun's cash and debt. Average UK house 222,007 pounds. Wells Fargo bought 2 insurance companies. Exxon Mobil moves above WalMart.

4.21 Caterpillar first quarter net loss $112 million compared to profit of 922 million in 2008. DuPont income 0.48 billion compared to 1.19 billion in previous quarter. Bank of Canada interest rate 0.5%. Japan's trade surplus 11 billion yen in March, 82.11 in February. US jobless claims for week ending April 19, 639,000 - 27,000 more than previous week.

4.24 Continuous claims 6.137 million. Oil inventories for 4.12 - 307.9 Mbbl.

4.27 BP first quarter profits down to 2.56 billion from 7.1 billion last year - dividends increased to 0.14 per share. USX net sales are one-half of a year ago.

From USA.gov website: GSA (General Services Administration) will spend $5.5 billion on over 250 construction projects in all USmillion regions. Purpose: Greening, jobs, reinvest in public buildings. Also building an Office of High Performance Buildings for $4 million. Since March 6 weekly amounts available from 16 billion to April 17 .69 billion were distributed and requested at 3.3billion to 14.2 billion. Total stimulus plan = $787 billion, of it 288 billion is for tax benefits, 55.5 billion is for is for making work pay tax credit. OM&B (Office of Management and Budget). 2 billion alloted to control crime and improve Criminal Justice System State 60% 1.2 billion, local 40% 800 million. Total available for highways $26,660 million: anywhere 17,862 million; urban 4,341 million; suburban 3,022 million; mandatory transportation enhancements 799 million; rural 634 million. Enhancements + sidewalks, bike paths, and beautification.

4.30 Platinum production 404,000 ounces from 613,000 1st quarter of last year. Bank of Japan rate 0.1%.

May, 2009

5.01 Jobless claims 631,000. Japan tobacco declined 6.5% Japan unemployment rate 4.8% in March. H₁N₁ virus infected 331 across 11 countries.

5.06 Crude oil inventory 374.7 million barrels. Las Vegas Sands reports loss of 0.14 per share.

5.07 Bank of England rate 0.5%. Total unemployment claims 6.35 million. Credit card loan decline 9.7%. GM revenues decline to 22.4 million from 42.4 million last year. ABC's This Week stated March jobless claims were 633,000.

5.08 US unemployment rate rose to 8.9% in April. Euro stocks raising 2-3% per day.Orient related stocks gaining 1-3% per day.

5.12 Most major companies dropped 8-10%. German wholesale prices drop 8%. Trade deficit widens from 26 billion to 29 billion in February. Ford offering 300 million shares of common stock for retiree healthcare trust and general expenses. BNY Mellon Bank offering sales of 1 billion of common stock using some of its proceeds to repurchase its prefered stock. Anadarko & Xerox offering 30 million shares for general expenses and it closed $750 million of senior unsecured notes due in 2014.

5.13 S&P banks index 127. GM tumbled 20.14 %. Petroleum reserves 375.3 billion barrels. Olympus, world's largest endoscope manufacturer rose 12.83% Hitachi tumbled 10.76%. Rising Australian companies start to lower. US is in the lead with the recession. Daewoo, Hyundai, and Samsung down 1.63, 0.2, 2.42 respectively. Companies selling shares to pay off debts. 3M selling 600 million common stock to its US defined pension plan completing contributions in 2009. Freddie Mac requesting 6.1 billion from US Treasury.

5.15 GM slips 4.96%, WalMart 1.86%. German GDP dropped 3.8%. French contracted 1.2%.

5.18 Eurostat Euro trade balance 0.3 billion euros in March, 1 billion euros in February, compared to a deficit of 2.3 billion euros last year.

5.19 AT&T showing weakness. Bank of America up 9.93%, GM up 8.28%, American Express up 7.84%, JP Morgan Chase up 6.73%, Home Depot up 6.64%, Caterpillar up 5.71%, Alcoa up 5.09%, Amex securities up 6.07%, KBW Bank up 7.53%, Philadelphia housing up 6.58%, Philadelphia oil service index up 5.41%, China stocks up 3-8%, Euro and GB indexes up 0.5 to 2.0%. American cos. dropped back to Monday's readings. London Stock exchange acquisited by Borsa Italiana. German producer price index April -1.4%, March 0.7%. Bank of England rate 0.5%. Producer price inflation 0.5%. Crude oil stockpiles 378.6 Mbbl.

5.20 'Gold usually moves opposite to the dollar because of its hedge appeal.' HP laying off 6,400. Deere sales down 17%. Target into a decline with sales increase. Housing starts very low.

5.21 Unemployment rate passes 9%. President Carter or Kennedy said it shouldn't pass 5% because it could create hardships. Jobless claims fell to 631,000 for week ended 5/16.

5.22 Japan's overnight call rate 0.1%. Unemployment 6.6 million compared to a 40-year average of 1.5 million and recession peak of 2.6 million. Housing starts 458, 000 with 40-year average of 1.5 million and recession low of 850,000.

5.26 US has loaned GM 45 billion who will also receive loans from Canada. Canada unemployment claims 65,300.

5.27 Consumer confidence in May 54.9. Nikon trimming work force by 1,000. Auto Zone advancing.

5.28 Market up, jobless rates decline. Jobless claims 623,000 for week of May 23. Continuing claims 6.788 million. Crude oil inventories368.5 mbbl. Japan jobless rate 5%. US consumer confidence 67.9.

June, 2009

6.1 The economy and most major stocks are improving dramatically. GM has filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 with 82.29 billion in assets and debts of 172.81 billion as of March 31. US and Ontario contributing 9.5 billion owning 12% of GM. Magna, a canadian auto parts maker is taking over Opel, the german division of GM. Goldcorp planning a private offering of about 750 million of notes due in 2014. Average UK house GBP155,600 in May. Prudential Financial selling 1.25 billion of common stock. Sun Trust Bank offering 1.4 billion as well as an offer to buy $1 billion of outstanding securities. Tenet Healthcare offering 450 million of notes due 2019. US will own about 60% of GM, the rest owned by UAW retiree healthcare fund, Canada, and some bondholders of the old GM. US putting 49.4 billion into GM. Chrysler operating under solvency. GM also selling UK's Vauxhall.

6.2 Nuke threat slows S. Korea's advance. Many US stocks rose 2-6%. Magna may also buy GM Saturn unit.

6.3 Dow 8,741, S&P/TSX 10,589, Nikkei 9,742, S&P/ASX4,017, Hang Seng 18,756, Sensex 14,871, Shanghai 2,779. Futures still on the decline. Some investors taking profits on the recent highs, but majority inclined to beleive the stimulus is working. Investors closely monitoring the volatile market data as 'Dow nearly breaks its 200-day moving average forming a 'Doji' (reversal candlestick pattern), and the 14-day RSI shows the index approaching overbought levels, and, Dow converges with Dow Transportation average, which the Dow theory considers a continuation of the trend.' Pending home sales rose 6.7%. Bombardier's first quarter net income was 158 million compared to 229 last year. Oil 67.54, copper 2.775, gold 976.50, crude oil reserves 363.1 mbbl.May unemployment fell by 532,000 jobs with revised decrease of 545,000 for April.

6.4 Dow 8,675, S&P/TSX 10,290, Nikkei 9,692, Hang Seng 18,418, Sensex 15,008, Taiwan 6,786, Jakarta 2,033. Bank of Canada interest rate 0.25%. Oil 67.80, gold 971. Japanese spending plunged 25.3% in first quarter following a 17.3% decline in last three months of 2008. Economists were expecting a 30% drop. Global rejection of the Manifest Destiny continues to erode the framework of the world's economy. New jobless claims 621,000 last week, continuing claims fell to 6.735 million.

6.5 Dow 8,750, Nikkei 9,768, S&P/ASX 3,971, Hang Seng 18,674, Sensex 15,104, Jakarta 2,079. Dow and S&P500 broke above their 200-day moving average, a good sign. Oil 69.50, Gold 982.30. Canadians lost 42,000 jobs in May. Unemployment rate 8.4%. Labor Department says US lost 504,000 jobs in April with unemployment rate of 9.4% in May. Magna's deal with Opel hindered by Opel's pension obligations.

News

ADVFN Friday, March 13, 2009

DOW 7,188.53, NASDAQ 1,43.45, S&P 500 752.66 Light Sweet crude 47.40

Time Warner appointed Google Inc Executive Tim Armstrong as Chairman and CEO of it's AOL unit replacing Randy Falco who along with President and COO Ron Grant plans to leave the company after a transition period.

Commerce Dept. said trade deficit narrowed to $36.0 billion, was 39.9 billion in December.

Canada trade deficit rose to C$993 million in January compared to 700,000 in previous month. India bank rates between 6 and 8%.

Chinese economy rising after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao allocated 595 billion yuan for stimulus moves. Gold close to 1,000 per ounce.

ADVFN Thursday, March 12

DOW 6,978.58, NASDAQ 1,375.3, S&P 500 728.35

Dollar 97.48 yen, Euro $1.2828, Sterling $1.3851, oil under $43, gold over 900.

With imports stopped US Crude supply still rose 700,000 barrels, analysts expected 1m barrel decrease.

ADVFN Wednesday, March 11

Dow, 6990.69, NASDAQ 1384.67, S&P 500 730.67

Dollar Index fell to 88.627, Euro $1.2679, Dollar 98.70 yen, gold 895.90, Copper 1.68, silver 12.54.

US Light Crude $45.71, Global oil consumption per year 84.27 mb/y.

Contract value for 30 CS100 aircraft is about $1.53 billion or 51 million per aircraft.

Australia S&P/ASX500 3,244, All Ordinaries 3,199, Malaysia's KLSE 855, Singapore's Strait Times Index 1,505,

Taiwan's Weighted Index 4,760, S&P/TSX 7,880.41

ADVFN Tuesday March 10

DOW 6,797.54, NASDAQ 1,328.79, S&P 500 705.22, dollar sterling 1.3875,crude oil 47.07

S&P/ASX 200 3,184.50, Ordinaries 3,143.20, Nikkei 225 7,054.38, TOPIX 703.50, Hong Kong Hang Seng 11,694.05, South Korea KOSPI 1,092.20, China Shanghai 2,158.57, Singapore's Strait Times 1,485.75, Taiwan 4,671.02.

Dow Chemical bought Rolm & Haas (ROH) for 15.4 billion, now world's leading specialty Chemicals and Advanced Materials Company.

ADVFN Monday, March 16

DOW 7,267.70, NASDAQ 1,421.73, S&P 500 763.00 S&P TSX 8,366.42

Oil 46.25, Gold 930, Silver 13.22, Platinum 1,063.60, Sterling $1.40.

ADVFN Tuesday, March 17

DOW 7,210.60, NASDAQ 1,416.51, S&P 500 758.15,

S&P/TSX 8,348.68, German DAX 3,983, French CAC 2,742, Swiss 4,780.

Gold 916.50, oil 47.35, Nikkei 225 7,949, TOPIX 762, Japan METI 106.4, AustraliaS&P/ASX 200 3,452, Seoul KOSPI 1,164, $= 1,408.50, Hong Kong Hang Seng 12,878

America's oil stockpiles increasing, double expectation at 749,000 barrels.

ADVFN Wednesday, March 18

DOW 7,278.54, NASDAQ 1,454.56, S&P 500 768.05, S&P/TSX 8,365.63, Nikkei 7,9722, TOPIX 765, S&P ASX 200 3,446, Ordinaries 3,386, lt. sweet crude 48.14, Japan Bank 0.10%, KOSPI 1,170 Hang Seng 13,117, Fed. Fund Rate 0 to .25%,

IBM wants to buy Sun Microsystems, (JAVA) possibly $6.5 billion, oil inventory 749,000 barrels, looking for 1.2 million.

ADVFN Thursday, March 19

DOW 7463, NASDAQ 1,491.95, S&P 500 792.92, S&P/TSX 8,753.76.

Gold 950, Silver 13.27, copper 1.18, natural gas 3.70, crude oil over $50.

Fed pledges $1.27 trillion to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

Asian oil $49.01, Nikkei 7,496, TOPIX 765, S&P ASX 200 3,480, Hang Seng 13,131, Shanghai 2,226, Singapore 1,585, Taiwan 5,036, Indonesia 1,342. China related shares up 2 - 12.55%. Jobless claims 646,000.

ADVFN Friday, March 20

DOW 7,425, NASDAQ 1,489.39, S&P 500 783.69, S&P/TSX 8,705.04.

FTSE (Footsy) 100 3,809.08, Tech Mark 1,106.82, FTSE 250 6,220.

Hang Seng 12,833, S&P/ASX 200 3,466, Ordinaries 3,405, KOSPI (Korea) 1,161.

Canada auto sales up 5.5% to 119,231 units.

Asian crude 51.61/b, Shanghei 2,281, Jakarta (Indonesia) 1,361, Singapore 1,597, Taiwan 4,962.

ADVFN Monday March 23

DOW 7,554.60, NASDAQ 1,508.30, S&P 500 797.27, S&P/TSX8,867.87, S&P/ASX 200 3,550, Ordinaries 3,483, Nikkei 8,215, TOPIX 792, Hang Seng 13,447, Shanghai 2,325, KOSPI (Korea) 1,180, Light Sweet Crude 52.66/b, Singapore 1,665, Indonesia 1,407, Taiwan 5,124, gold 947.50, US Purchasing 500 bn in toxic assets.

ADVFN Tuesday, March 24

DOW 7,675.10, NASDAQ 1,528.69, S&P 500 810.93, S&P/TSX 8,766.65.

FTSE 100 3,910.16, Tech Mark 1,129.66, FTSE 250 6,,,407.82.

Crude oil 53.54/b, crude inventory ^ 2 million barrels, motor oil 3.2 million.

Nikkei 88,488, TOPIX 813, Hang Seng 13,910, KOSPI 1,222, S&P/ASX 200 3,580, Ordinaries 3,517, Shanghai 2,338, Jakarta Indonesia 1,436.

AIG hearing set for March 25.

On March 25 Military Advanced Education announced Penn State World Campus, University Park, PA is one of the top "2008 Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities". ".....wherever they are in the world they can still be connected to Penn State through the World Campus." ".....Penn State has a long history of serving the distance needs of our military."

Penn State World Campus has 62 programs. The World Campus is the university's twenty-fifth campus. Penn State's Outreach serves more than 5 million people a year.

ADVFN Wednesday, March 25

DOW 7,808.43, NASDAQ 1,542.55, S&P 500 821.32, S&P/TSX 8,928.66.

FTSE 100 3,866, Tech Mark 1,123, FTSE250 6319.36.

New home sales rose 4.7% to an annual rate of 337,000. Expectations were it would fall to 300,000 from the 309,000 reported the previous month. Crude oil 53.98.

Nikkei 8,480, TOPIX 818, Hang Seng (Hong Kong) 13,622, Shanghai 2,292, Jakarta 1,423.

S&P/ASX 200 3,609, Ordinaries 3,546, Singapore 1,690, Taiwan 5,346.

ADVFN Thursday, March 26

DOW 7,794.26, NASDAQ 1,558.45, S&P 500 820.92, S&P/TSX 8,895.18.

German DAX 4,245, French CAC 2,891, Swiss 4,968, BSE Sensex 9,740, S&P/CNX Nifty 3,082.

US economy's worst performance since 1982 in last 3 months of 2008.

US Light crude oil 52.77, gold 936.70, Silver 13.44, copper 1.80.

ADVFN Friday, March 27

DOW 7,796, NASDAQ S&P 500 819.31.

German DAX 4,236, French CAC 2,863, Swiss 4,925, GBP $1.4444.

Nikkei 225 8,626, Hang Seng (Hong Kong 14,119, Gold $940.

Eurozone industrial orders dropped 34% in January, the most on record.

Hong Kong exports dropped 23% in February and 21.8% in January, alienating Wal Mart and Li &Feng.

US unemployed rose to a record 5.56 m. April's oil price 54/b.

ADVFN Monday 3/9/09

Euro $1.2641, gold 942.70, silver 13.23, copper 1.69

German DAX 3,620, French CAC 2,492, Swiss Market 4,289, Michelin 22.99 Euros

Dollar Index fell to 88.850 from 89.046 in late US trading

Icelandic government has taken over Straumur Burduras, the country's only remaining listed bank. The Icelandic Financial Supervisory Authority (FME) said it has closed the bank for business due to liquidity problems.

France Telecom 10.53 Euros US Light Crude $45.52, Oil for April deliver is $47.77 /b, Venezuela's oil minister visiting China presently supplying 300,000 bbl to China. China increased copper imports, stockpiling.

Russia unable to help their tycoons, stating it no longer has resources.

Capitulation point for 2008-40%. Lots of Short Sales.

March 23, 2009
Military Funeral Honors

This article is being rewritten. 3/31/09

With a shortage of available military personnel due to reduction of forces, the Mideastern War, and increased demand the Department of Defense acknowledged the Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) volunteer services for their members participation in Military Funeral Honors activities.




Several members of local VSOs completed the required AP3 training and received certification as authorized providers of Military Funeral Honors.

Firmscor News

March, 2009

Shop online at www.firmscorel.com/shop.aspx.

Issues

Finance and the Economy

The following article includes excerpts and reports from Dow Jones News, ADVFN Newsletter, ABC Round Table, and local news reports. It was prepared on Friday, March 6&7, 2009 by Vince Burke.

Sunday, March 1: Tax cut is favorable for 95 per cent of Americans; the stimulus bill was taking effect; and, 14,000 people lost their health care. The eminent commentator, Paul Harvey, passed away in his nineties.

Monday, March 2: DJIA 6905; NASDAQ 1093; S&P 500 716.70; 18.6 per cent this year, worst start to the year on record; AIG insurance gets an additional $30 billion, Citigroup $50 billion, and, Bank of America $45 billion. AIG stock is off 73% this year and 99% for the last twelve months. Spot Gold 954.50, Euro $1.2610, Dollar Y97.34 and C$1.28.

Tuesday, March 3: DJIA rose 60 to 6,823; Euro $1.265; Dollar Y98.07; UK Pound $1.41; and, Dollar C$1.28. AIG & HSBC suffer extreme losses. HSBC issuing $18 billion of discounted stock and it may be 12.58. Wall Street dropped to 9M per. GM, Ford, and Chrysler dropped 40 per cent. Australians are comfortable about decline. Bank of England announces it may purchase assets to strengthen money supply. Sweet crude oil is 41.57, after productivity dropped. US Oil Imports have fallen. US Crude inventories rose 900,000 barrels. Heating Oil rose to $1.19. Spain’s Iberdrola and Russia’s Inter Rao make energy deal for EU (European Union), Latin America, Russia, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Australia Worldwide Exploration looking to buy in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

Wednesday, March 4: DJIA 6805; Euro $1.25; Dollar Y99.48; UK Pound $1.41; and, CHF (Swiss Franc) $1.18; and, C$1.30; and, Oil $43 a barrel. US lost 697,000 jobs in February, some estimate 640,000. Hungary Forint is dropping against the Euro. Hungary looking to buy government securities. Canada may require quantitative easing (government bailout). UBS Swiss Bank has new CEO. Heating Oil is $1.22. Vietnam buying Russian oil. US refineries reducing production in order to reach $40 target.

Thursday, March 5: GB Pound $1.40; Euro $1.25; DJIA 6,782; S&P 500 702.5; Dollar Y99.20; Euro Y124.10; Dollar CHF 1.18, C$1.286. GM and Ford dropped to $2.00 a share. Wal Mart jumped 51 per cent. It is believed, risk appetites are dampened by the Chinese premier not augmenting China’s $585 billion stimulus plan with China’s National People’s Congress. ECB (European Central Bank) target rate for 2009-10 is 2.0% but will still probably have to cut rates. ECB plans to purchase UK government securities (Gilts) up to GBP 75 billion, otherwise known as ‘printing money’. Crude imports down 100 million barrels a day. Bond yields move inversely to prices. A 2-year note is going for 0.92 per cent, and a 10-year note for 2.8 per cent. Claims for jobless benefits sank by 31,000 to 639,000 last week. BOE (Bank of England) rate approaching 0 (Zero) per cent. Promising to bolster economy in 2008 a CNY 4 trillion investment was announced. China again blamed for not having a stimulus package. The Treasury Department is auctioning $33 billion in 3-year notes on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, $17 billion in 10-year debt, and $10 billion in 30-year bonds on Thursday.

Friday March 6: US economy lost 4.4 million jobs since the recession began in December 2007 - half of the losses occurring in the last three months. Unemployment rate has doubled from 1.3 to 2.9 million. Dollar CHF 1.15, C$1.279, Euro $1.2739, Y124.21, GB Pound $1.4250; ECB rate 1.5 per cent, BOE 0.50 per cent; Sweet Crude $44.64 a barrel in Europe, in US $$44.48. Unemployment rate 8.1 per cent, reflectively, 14.8 per cent. BOE quantitative easing to purchase up to GBP 75 billion of government bonds. Lloyd’s banking group may agree to an asset insurance with the UK government. BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) says it will make the government stake in the bank above its current level of 43 per cent.

On October 30, 2008 PBS made notice of a sign of recession stating the GDP Gross Domestic Product dropped ½ per cent.

February, 2009

Sunday, February 15, 2009 The Round Table said President Obama announced a $278 billion stimulus package, which was in line with President Bush’s anticipated policy.

Tuesday, February 17: shares of Bank of America fell 10.7 per cent to $4.97; J.P. Morgan declined 8.4 per cent to 22.64; Wells Fargo declined 8.1 per cent to 14.50; KBW Index tumbled 7 per cent; Exxon down 4 per cent to 71.59; Crude CL dropped 6.7 per cent to 34.98; DJIA Dow Jones Industrial Average was 7,595.77; S&P 500 was 795.38; NASDAQ tumbled 54.45 points or 3.55 per cent to 1,479.91; Wal Mart was up 2.7 per cent at 47.78; the US Dollar was going for C$1.266, or $0.7899 US; and, the Nikkei fell 1.4 per cent (104.66 points) to 7,645.51; GMC and Chrysler received $13.4 billion in aid; Mitsubishi UFJ Financial lost 4 per cent down to 451 yen; Mizaho slid 3.9 per cent to 200 yen; Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group fell 2.7 per cent to 3,720 yen; Housing in Tokyo fell 24.1 per cent from the same month last year; Spot Gold rose to $966/ounce from $940 on Monday; Spot Silver climbed to 13.94 from 13.57; and, Platinum flew to 1,082 from 1,003.

Wednesday, February 18: DJIA rose 21.27 points to 7,573.87; S&P 500 was up 4.06 points to 7573; NASDAQ up 7.91 points to 1,478; US industrial production dropped 2.4 per cent in December, 2008 and, 1.8 per cent in January, 2009; Capacity Utilization fell to 72 per cent, from 1972 –2008 the average was 80.9 per cent; and, US Sweet Crude dropped to $34.80 per barrel.

Thursday, February 19: U.S. stock futures had a strong start with the S&P 500 Futures up 7.9 points to 790.30; NASDAQ 100 Futures up 7.5 to 1187.50; DJIA up 79 points; Oil futures rose $1.00 a barrel; Hewlett Packard dropped 3%; Food rose; Sprint Nextel up 3 per cent; Nikkei 225 rose 0.3 per cent to 7,557.65; Shanghai Composite up 0.8 per cent; the Dollar was going for Y93.68; and, prices for solar equipment plummet in response to oversupply.

Friday, February 20, 2009: nationalization of banks is a concern to government and business; consumer prices are at a 53 year low; US Treasury is auctioning $94 billion of Treasury Notes; Spot Gold was up to $980.00/ounce; Silver $14.18/ounce; Platinum $1,082.00.

On Sunday, the Round Table said 8.4 million houses have defaulted and private investment has decreased dramatically, participants expressed concern about nationalization; and, FDIC taking over banks via bailout.

Notes taken during the interview were brief: National Bank, Public Bank; checking, savings, loans, mortgage; limitations, foreign purchase; federal, state, county, local; competition, dichotomy; buy back, net worth evaluation, balance, anti-monopoly, antitrust; choice between public and private.

Monday, February 23: US now owns 40% of Citigroup; DJIA 7,423; NASDAQ 1,447.47; Euro is worth $1.2822; Dollar is worth Y94.64; Gold $980.15/oz.; Silver 14.18; and, Platinum 1,082.

Tuesday, February 24: DJIA rose to 7,188.61; S&P500 to 753.65; NASDAQ up to 1,411.25; Euro $1.279; Dollar Y96; UK Pound $1.45; and, the Dollar C$1.25.

Wednesday, February 25: Spot Gold was 952.90; Silver 13.68; and, Platinum 1034.

Thursday, February 26: DJIA was 7326.

2008

July 29,2008

The website of firmscorel.com now has links to 150+ businesses. Was a featured business on www.pittsburghpa.com the Pittsburgh link for www.citiesunlimited.com

The Unidollar now has its own aspx page.

Firmscorel is now acknowledged by MSN, Google and Ask search engines. www.firmscorel.com/firmscortech.aspx, a sub page of Home has a 55 second course on how to travel around the website.

February 6, 2007

Firmscor has associated itself with 47 companies making instant connections to each of these stores and business offices. Entered information about The Unidollar Concept, a chart on the study of velocity, running speeds and several local photographs.

December 26, 2006

Firmscor is expanding the shopping mall and the office complex.

Notable Products and Services

Phone service, click on Business and click on ad.

Announcements

Phone service store opened on 12/23/06

Old News

The following, written by a Firmscor Technical Consultant, is an old article printed in The Boyce Collegian on October 30, 1989:

Also see the Unidollar article on Firmscorel website: http://firmscorel.com/unidollar.aspx.

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