Author: Serkadis

ASM GmbH has been the leading manufacturer of mechatronic sensors for position measurement for 30 years. The newly issued catalogue includes an extensive overview of the whole range of “POSIWIRE® Cable Extension Position Sensors WS” for the measurement of position and distance between 100mm and 60000mm.
The “POSIWIRE®” linear sensors have compact design, are quick and easy to mount, feature a high operational safety and provide a long lifetime operation. They are best suited for industrial, instrumental, Heavy Duty or Offshore applications. Analogue, digital and incremental outputs are available according to the chosen sensor model.

The General Catalogue is now free available and can be ordered or downloaded online at www.asm-sensor.de.

Narrow tolerances are the only way for gear wheels to transfer forces quietly with almost no loss. Compliance with these tolerances must also be measureable. GEAR PRO® is a software module for CALYPSO® measuring software from Carl Zeiss. It is a user-friendly plug-in that guides users through the entire gear wheel measurement. Graphic input windows facilitate this process. The measurement results are displayed as a measurement log or a graphic. Already captured measurement data can be reevaluated subsequently – even with changed parameters. The various modules of GEAR PRO permit the standard and workshop-compliant measurement of practically all gears. GEAR PRO 3.6 is a new, optimized version of this measuring software.

Screw compressors and rotors can be quickly and easily measured using the new module GEAR PRO rotor. Even complex contours with undercuts are automatically measured by GEAR PRO rotor. The internal CAD model helps determine the stylus that best fits the rotor contour.

With GEAR PRO bevel it is now possible to measure pinions and ring gears without a rotary table. The part can be aligned in any coordinate axis. This function is particularly useful for the measurement of long shafts (>1 meter) for commercial vehicles and ships. In the past, such parts could only be measured with rotary tables and measuring machines with an accordingly large Z measuring range. Now there are practically no limitations on the shaft length. Ease of use is ensured by the automatic stylus selection which chooses the best stylus for the corresponding position on the workpiece. Ease of use is ensured by the automatic stylus selection which chooses the best stylus for the corresponding position on the workpiece.

The GEAR PRO involute module with the beveloid plug-in enables the measurement of very simple beveloid gears such as those found in twin-clutch transmissions and ship gearing. Until now, these gear wheels had to be measured over several runs. GEAR PRO captures the complex run in one measuring program. This also means that one measurement log contains all results.

With the extensions for the existing software modules of GEAR PRO and the new GEAR PRO rotor, Carl Zeiss demonstrates that the measurement of gears does not have to be complicated.

Dayton, Ohio — The ArcWorld® IV-6200SL “slim line” solution features dual MA1400 welding robots with multiple robot control, a high-speed trunnion positioner, integrated welding package, operator interface and a total safety environment. Independent drive on each of the three positioner axes enables the operator to index the load station or allows both stations to turn while the positioner sweeps, saving cycle time.

The MRM2-250M3XSL and MRM2-750M3XSL positioners feature the fastest indexing time in their class. They are available with 250 kg or 750 kg payloads. The 250 kg payload version indexes in 1.75 seconds; the 750 kg payload version indexes in 2.5 seconds.

The slim line positioner, a redesign of an existing positioner, reduces floorspace. The width of the positioner/workcell is only 1 meter wider than the fixture span. Because the positioner can be serviced from the front of the workcell, additional space can be saved by placing cells next to each other without aisles. These positioners are available in standard lengths of 2.0 and 3.0 meters between mounting surfaces, but can easily be extended. They provide a turning diameter of 1.3 meters to accommodate large parts and tooling.

The MRM2-250M3XSL and MRM2-750M3XSL positioners utilize independent servo motor drives on each of the three axes for high-speed positioning. This reduces cycle times by allowing fixtures to rotate into working position while the main sweep axis indexes between stations. Application flexibility is also a benefit because the load station can be programmed to a more ergonomic orientation. The operator can also jog the load station if manual tack welding is required.

The positioners utilize the MotoMountTM fixture mounting system. This patented design eliminates stresses from poor fixture alignment from being transferred into the bearings or servo drives.

The ArcWorld workcell is available with an optional nozzle cleaner. It can also be combined with automatic tip checking devices such as ToolSight® or ToolSight6D. ToolSight is designed to automatically detect variation in wire position (TCP) before parts are produced.

A PC-based Human Machine Interface (HMI) is available to show cell and production related data. The HMI provides local control for memory backup and displays diagnostic data in an easy-to-read format on a color touch screen. Cell I/O and uptime data is presented graphically. Screens are also provided to allow operators to edit weld positions.

Radiant Coil Furnaces are ideal for the process heating of liquids and gases to high temperatures over a wide range of operating pressures, where the combination temperature and pressure make heating techniques practical.

Wellman has designed and built numerous Radiant Coil Furnaces for many different applications including:

Heating air at 550 psig to 1700°F

Heating a mixture of natural gas and steam to 1000°F at 3100 psig.

Heating an acid to 1400°F (760°C) to catalyze a chemical reaction.

A four-coil unit, having a total heat capacity of almost 2.0 MW, to heat a process • chemical to 1040°F (560°C) at 700 psig.

A two chamber system for the supercritical oxidation of organic material in waste water (SCWO) using a unique alloy to minimize corrosion at 4050 psig and 425°C.

Visit BOWMAN at the SPATEX 2010 Show in Brighton, 6-8th February 2010 and see the new Titanium Swimming Pool Heat Exchanger.
Also on show will be a Stainless Steel version which is suitable for the Aquatic market.

Bowman Sales Manager, Jamie Pratt said,
“We have experienced major sales growth from the 2 new additions which we first launched earlier this year at Piscina Barcelona, the new Titanium units are also ideal for Spas and the Stainless Steel units are suited for the Aquatic market. This is an excellent opportunity to launch our new products here in the UK”.

Titanium is ideal for Swimming Pool Heat Exchangers as it is impervious to fluctuations in pH levels. Units are manufactured to proven designs for optimum heat transfer – saving energy and cost whilst heating pools quickly, using boilers, heat pumps or solar panels.

Visit our Stand U110 during the Brighton Spatex Show, to discuss your requirements with our highly skilled and trained team who will assist you in selecting the most appropriate heat exchanger.

Bowman can offer worldwide sales support and rapid delivery from extensive stock levels.

Tel: +44 (0)121 359 5401
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ejbowman.co.uk

It would only make sense, after seeing what a kitchen strainer and aluminum foil can do, that a metal kitchen pot would provide a significant signal boost for a mobile broadband modem, or “dongle.” The homemade video evidence tells all.

The video is edited in a rather stuttered style for reasons unknown, but the segments where a USB broadband modem is placed into, and pulled out of, a large saucepan, with a signal strength meter running, seem to be fairly steady. A YouTube commenter suggests a more parabolic shape, like a wok, might do even better in capturing and honing the broadband signal.

If you’re ever stuck at a friend’s house with weak mobile broadband reception, it might pay off to dig into their cookware. At the least, it’s an instant conversation starter.

Buy This Item: [Click here to buy this item]

Read Original Article

Filed under: Etc.

We’re a privileged bunch here at Autoblog. We drive some pretty amazing cars and go to the world’s best automotive events. Of course, it’s our job to not just keep these experiences to ourselves, but let others enjoy them as well. Our cameras are perpetually in hand, capturing the best moments of each test drive, auto show, auction, race and everything else to share with you, our faithful readers.

With 2009 coming to a close, nothing reminds us more of how lucky we are than browsing through the thousands of photos we’ve taken ourselves throughout the year. Of course, we wanted to share the memories with you as well, so we picked out our favorite images taken by the Autoblog team in the last year and put them in one big gallery. We’ve also included a link to the original story from which each image was pulled, just in case you missed out the first time. So to honor the year that was, we give you Autoblog’s top 100 photographs of 2009. Enjoy, and let us know which are ones are your favorites!

For nostalgia’s sake, feel free to also check out the top 50 photographs of 2008.

All photos copyright (C)2009 Autoblog / Weblogs, Inc.

Autoblog’s Top 100 Photographs of 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gotta hand it to Bloomberg for this riveting one-sentence article written by two people.

“AT&T Inc. is ending its sponsorship agreement with golfer Tiger Woods, company spokesman Michael Coe said in an e-mailed statement.”

I don’t recall seeing Woods in any TV or print commercials for AT&T but he definitely had a few big, fat AT&T logos on his golf bag. The company still has Luke Wilson and the iPhone, so sleep easy, friends.

It’ll be most interesting to see what EA Sports does this year. The company hasn’t announced any plans to drop its sponsorship but with Woods taking an “indefinite” leave of absence from professional golf, a game called Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 might sound a bit silly. We may see a return to the standard PGA Tour Golf moniker from the early days of the franchise.

AT&T Ends Sponsorship Agreement With Tiger Woods [Bloomberg.com]

Photo: Flickr

Buy This Item: [Click here to buy this item]

Read Original Article

This snazzy Bluetooth headset comes to us by way of Jaybird, which specializes in all things Bluetooth. It’s called the Sportsband. Presumably it’s for sports enthusiasts.

As you with eyes can see, the headset fits over your ears, with enough padding to cushion to protect your soft skin from the bony plastic.

I am at a loss as to how else describe to describe a pair of Bluetooth headphones on the cusp of 2010. Let’s assume it works as advertised and go about our business. Oh, it’s $89 and available now.

via Gear Diary

Buy This Item: [Click here to buy this item]

Read Original Article

Many of you know that the biggest event in consumer electronics, CES, is coming next month during January 7th to the 10th. It’s a very exciting time for gadget bloggers because large electronics companies debut new products for the year. Sony begins their preparations many months before CES, and their booth usually has their latest products, dozens of televisions, interactive product displays, and so much more. Another exciting aspect is the people who are in the booths – it’s not uncommon to be amongst celebrities and high ranking officials of various companies. For a mild mannered Sony blogger such as myself it is an overwhelming prospect to visit CES, as there is so many people to meet, and so much to cover for our readers out there.

What’s truly interesting is that there won’t be a Sony keynote this year for CES 2010. This is big a contrast to last year where Chairman, President and CEO of the Sony Corporation Howard Stringer, Tom Hanks, Usher, Reggie Jackson, and many 3D movie trailers were present for the 2009 keynote..

Sony put pictures on flickr (click to enlarge) to remind us that they will have quite the showing for CES 2010; below, you can see the large number of products waiting to be shipped to Vegas. What products/sub-brands can you identify?

Here is where things come together, courtesy of a great story by geek.com, entitled “Early images of Sony’s CES booth.” (more pictures there) Apparently their website was allowed to take pictures of the booth-building process, and said that “..the booth (and I use that term loosely, it’s probably about half an acre) is positioned in a sweet spot at the rear corner of one of the Las Vegas Convention Center’s massive halls.” They have quite a few pictures of the Sony CES booth itself being constructed; It definitely puts a smile on my face to see this, as it looks really crazy. I can tell the lighting is going to be really high impact, and rich with color – probably a massive pain to take pictures of. Thankfully I will have a A900 this round.

You can definitely see that the make.believe mindset is all over the place.

Despite all the economic mishaps, Nintendo has had a pretty good year for sales — particularly at Amazon.com. The online retailer released a list (via Kotaku) of their top sellers for the year, which includes both hardware and software. Of the top 10 alone, Nintendo claimed nine spots.

1. Wii
2. Wii Remote
3. Wii Motion Plus
4. Wii Nunchuck
5. New Super Mario Bros. Wii
6. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board
7. Wii Sports Resort
8. Wii Fit
9. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (360)
10. Mario Kart Wii with Wheel
11. PS3 DualShock controller
12. Wii Play with Remote
13. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3)
14. Official Wii Wheel
15. Assassin’s Creed 2 (360)
16. Halo 3 ODST
17. PlayStation 3 120 GB
18. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
19. EA Sports Active
20. Left 4 Dead 2 (360)

For those curious only about software, if we remove hardware and accessories from the list, the top 10 sales are a little more evenly spread among the consoles.

Buy This Item: [Click here to buy this item]

Read Original Article

Picture of Motorola ‘Shadow’ leaked, inverted on Taiwanese forum originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Electronista  |  Mobile01  | Email this | Comments

Buy This Item: [Click here to buy this item]

Article

TrimTabs CEO Charles Biderman has some characteristically provocative thoughts about the market and the government’s role in manipulating it.

Via ZeroHedge:

The most positive economic development in 2009 was the stock market rally. Since the middle of March, the market cap of all U.S. stocks has soared more than $6 trillion.  The “wealth effect” of rising stock prices has soothed the nerves and boosted the net worth of the half of Americans who own stock.
 
We cannot identify the source of the new money that pushed stock prices up so far so fast.  For the most part, the money did not from the traditional players that provided money in the past:

• Companies.  Corporate America has been a huge net seller.  The float of shares has ballooned $133 billion since the start of April.
• Retail investor funds.  Retail investors have hardly bought any U.S. equities. Bond funds, yes. U.S equity funds, no.  U.S. equity funds and ETFs have received just $17 billion since the start of April.  Over that same time frame bond mutual funds and ETFs received $351 billion.

Read more at Zero Hedge — >

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Eric Sprott: Stocks Heading Below March Lows, We’re In A Two-Decade Bear Market
• The Federal Reserve Subsumes Washington, As Everything Turns Into An Extension Of Bernanke’s Quantitative Easing
• TrimTabs: The Real Job Loss Number Was 255,000

KNDU TV
“Celebrating New Years in the Tri-Cities”

Published Dec. 30, 2009
By Dori O’Neal, Tri-City Herald staff writer

It’s not called First Night anymore, but the New Year’s Eve celebration that’s gone on in town for two decades now still provides a hotbed of entertainment for the whole family.

Now called New Year’s Tri-Cities, the fun starts at 5:30 p.m. at Columbia Basin College in Pasco.

“New Year’s Tri-Cities offers something for everyone,” said Parker Hodge, the vice president of entertainment and production for the organization.

Though Vocal Trash has been the headline act for the past few years, NYTC switched to a different music headliner this year because they heard enough comments from supporters that they wanted something new and different, Hodge added.

“After reviewing about a dozen headliner finalists, we felt Gloriana offered a pop-country style of music we hadn’t showcased at the event before,” he said. “The group is also very popular with the 18- to 34-year-old crowd, which is a demographic we’ve tried to target the last several years.”

Gloriana was recently named breakthrough artist of the year award at MTV’s 2009 American Music Awards. They’ll perform two concerts, one at 7:30 and another at 10:45 p.m.

Comedian Brad Upton also returns for another appearance. Upton, who grew up in the Tri-Cities, performed his Home for the Holidays show last month at the Three Rivers Convention Center. Upton’s comedy show, which is family friendly, will be at 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.

And if those two acts don’t entice you to get out of the house on New Year’s Eve, then maybe all the other entertainers schedule to appear along with the big fireworks show at midnight will do the trick.

Other performers include The Gothard Sisters Irish fiddle and dance group, Brandon Cash performing his tribute to Johnny Cash show, Jerry Harris hypnotist comedy show, the An Daire Academy of Irish Dance troupe, Diamond Ridge Cloggers show, Highland Drive rock band, El Puerto salsa band, Troupe du Soleil belly dancers, Duct Tape harmony quartet, the Broadway Babes a capella trio, Sugarbush pop rock band, Ernie Lopez acoustic sounds, Desert Winds Flute Choir, Big Top the Clown, Keith Ramsey’s magic show, Wiggle Like a Fish music show for kids, Bram Brata steeldrum band and Debi and Frank Eng will play a mix of jazz and Beatles tunes.

Events are scattered throughout the campus from the lecture halls to the CBC theater to the library or the gym.

You’ll need to buy a New Year’s Tri-Cities button to get in for $10 for ages 13 and older, $3 for ages 6-12 and free to ages 5 and younger.

The button will get you into all the different venues on the campus. Tickets are available online at www.newyearstricities.com or at the door.

Here’s the schedule of events for New Year’s Tri-Cities happening at Columbia Basin College in Pasco on Dec. 31.

Gymnasium

5:30 p.m. — Highland Drive, Rock band

6:45 p.m. — Brad Upton, Stand-up comedian

7:30 p.m. — Headline act Gloriana concert

8:30 p.m. — Autograph session with Gloriana band members

10 p.m. — The Gothard Sisters, Irish fiddle, dance & variety

10:45 p.m. — Gloriana concert

Byron Gjerde Center

7:30 p.m. — Brandon Cash performing a Johnny Cash tribute show

8:15 p.m. — Brad Upton comedy show

9:15 p.m. — Jerry Harris, master hypnotist

10:45 p.m. — Brandon Cash

Byron Gjerde Center lobby

7:15 p.m. — An Daire Academy of Irish Dance troupe

8:15 p.m. — The Diamond Ridge Cloggers

9:15 p.m. — El Puerto, salsa band

10:15 p.m. — Troupe du Soleil, Belly dancing

All night — The artwork of Rowdy Barry

Library lecture hall (ROOM #L-102)

8 p.m. — Video gaming contest with X-Box 360

Library lecture hall (ROOM #L-103)

8 p.m. — Video gaming contest with Sony Playstation

Conference room (ROOM #TD-433)

5:30 p.m. — Duct Tape, a capella Barbershop quartet

6:15 p.m. — Broadway Babes, a capella teenage trio

7 p.m. — Desert Winds Flute Choir

7:45 p.m. — Duct Tape, a capella Barbershop trio

8:30 p.m. — Scott & Luisa Campbell, gospel vocalists

9:30 p.m. — Broadway Babes, a capella teenage trio

10:15 p.m. — Hayley Foraker, vocalist

Courtyard/atrium

6 p.m. — Micki Harvey & Ken Linde, piano & vocals

7:30 p.m. — Debi & Frank Eng, Beatles jazz arrangements

9:15 p.m. — Johannin (David Agans & Erik Mertens), comedy, guitar, vocals

10:30 p.m. — John Krigler, pianist & Kelly Parks, jazz vocalist

Theater

5:30 p.m. — Bram Brata, Steel drum band

6:30 p.m. — Jerry Harris, Master Hypnotist

8 p.m. — Various Tri-City gospel performers

9 p.m. — Skweez the Weezle, Celtic music band

10 p.m. — Various Tri-City gospel performers

11 p.m. — Skweez the Weezle, Celtic music band

Outdoor stage

6:30 p.m. — Sugarbush, pop-rock band

7 p.m. — Children’s closing ceremonies and fireworks show

7:30 p.m. — Sugarbush, pop-rock band

11:50 p.m. — Closing ceremonies & countdown to midnight

Midnight — Fireworks

Hawk Union Bldg. (HUB) Atomictown.com Fallout Zone

7:15 p.m. — Ernie Lopez, acoustic

8:15 p.m. — Hiz Haven, alternative rock/hip hop

9:15 p.m. — Beefy, nerdcore rapper

10:15 p.m. — 45th Parallel, rock band

11:15 p.m. — Winters Call, classic rock/metal group

The Kid Zone – Byron Gjerde Center kids stage in the Hub

3:15 p.m. — Keith Ramsey’s Fired Up Magic Show

4:00 p.m. — Big Top the Clown

4:45 p.m. — Wiggle Like a Fish, Music for Kids

5:30 p.m. — Arete juggling, Bill Barr

6:15 p.m. — Keith Ramsey’s Fired Up Magic Show

7 p.m. — Outdoor stage: Children’s closing ceremonies and fireworks!

Other kids activities in the Gjerde Center

Roving — Big Top the Clown

Roving — The Balloon Dude, balloon art

3-7 p.m. — Children’s Carnival

Additional news stories can be accessed online at the Tri-City Herald.

Some pour more
The British government’s Know Your Limits Campaign discovered that people are pouring more than the standard drink measure, perhaps without realizing in some cases. When people in a group of 600 were asked to pour a single 25ml shot, the average amount that was actually poured was 38ml. And the highest amount poured measured 182ml! Men poured much more than women: 43ml compared with 32ml. The government’s campaign also found that the size of your wine glass really matters when trying to pour a drink. To encourage more healthful drinking, alcohol companies in the UK have been offering free measuring cups with some drinks. Read more at BBC: Home Drinkers ‘Over-Pour Spirits.’

Smoking and blindness
It’s never too late to improve your health by quitting smoking. A new study from UCLA revealed that even after age 80, people who continue to smoke increase their risk for age-related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness for Americans over 65.

Disinfectants teaching bacteria
Researchers in a new study from National University of Ireland in Galway found that using disinfectants may make bacteria resistant to antibiotics in addition to the disinfectant itself. When researchers added increasing amounts of disinfectant to bacterial cultures, the bacteria not only adapted to survive the disinfectant, but also a popular antibiotic (ciprofloxacin). The bacteria survived the antibiotic without prior exposure to it. Dr. Gerard Fleming, who led the study, said, “In principle this means that residue from incorrectly diluted disinfectants left on hospital surfaces could promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. What is more worrying is that bacteria seem to be able to adapt to resist antibiotics without even being exposed to them.”

(Image via stock.xchng)

Post from: Blisstree

Health Bits: Drink Pouring, Disinfectants

Rising Interest Rates – In a debt burdened economy like that of the United States, interest rates are the lifeblood. In a previous article, I suggested selling call options on TLT (long treasury ETF) under the theory that interest rates probably could not go much lower and it has turned out to be a great trade.  Now the 30 year government bond is hitting the 4.6% level, only 20 bps or .2% away from a 2 year high of 4.8% … – Surly Trader
————

Chart du Jour: Keep an eye on the yield curve – Posted by Prieur du Plessis – … Put simply, on Tuesday the gap between 10- and 2-year US government bond yields hit its widest spread ever – 286 basis points, beating last week’s 276 basis points and the previous record set in August 2003 of 274 basis points. … – Investment
Postcards from Cape Town 

————

The Yield Curve Signals Bigger Growth – By Larry Kudlow – What’s a yield curve and why is it so important? … So there could be a mini boom next year, with real GDP growing at 4 to 5 percent, perhaps with a 6 percent quarter in there someplace. And the unemployment rate is likely to come down, perhaps moving into the 8 percent zone from today’s 10 percent. … – Real Clear Markets

————

Billionaire Paulson Leads Fund Managers Betting on the Yield Curve – John Paulson and Julian Robertson are among managers looking to capitalize on growing inflation and higher yields.  According to a report by the Financial Times, John Paulson is among those looking to gain from the inverse relationship of falling bond prices and rising yields. – Yahoo Finance

————

Grants Interest Rate Observer – free Winter Break Issue 33 pages – James Grant is always a good read. 
————

Morgan Stanley: Interest Rates Set To Soar 40% As Bond Vigilantes Make Geithner And Obama Pay For Their Mess –  Get ready for a wild ride on the long end of the curve, as the bondvigilantes go to work making Barack Obama and Tim Geithner pay for the bailout… Bloomberg: Yields on benchmark 10-year notes will climb about 40 percent to 5.5 percent, the biggest annual increase since 1999, according to David Greenlaw, chief fixed-income economist at Morgan Stanley in New York. The surge will push interest rates on 30-year fixed mortgages to 7.5 percent to 8 percent, almost the highest in a decade, Greenlaw said. … – Before It’s News

————

Bonds: Strategies for 2010 – By David Bogoslaw – Veteran bond-fund manager Bill Larkin tells Bloomberg BusinessWeek what fixed-income investors can do to boost returns—and protect their portfolios from inflation – BusinessWeek

————

30-year fixed mortgage rate rises above 5% – By Martin Zimmerman – LA Times Business –

————

A Savvy Bond Man Bets Big on Inflation – Tedford Sees Price Pressures; Time to Buy Timber? – great article – WSJ subscription might be needed – Wall Street Journal

Jan. 14 Event to Feature G. Love, Special Sauce and Baseball Project

Chicago Cubs broadcasters Len Kasper and Bob Brenly will team up outside the broadcast booth to host the fourth annual Len & Bob Bash, presented by Bud Light, on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, at the House of Blues in downtown Chicago.

This year’s Len & Bob Bash will feature performances by G. Love & Special Sauce and The Baseball Project.

Created in 1993, the band G. Love & Special Sauce is known for a unique blues sound while mixing in classic R&B music. The band is currently scheduled to start their 2010 tour in February after their performance at the Bash.

The Baseball Project is composed of avid baseball fans Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, Linda Pitmon and Steve Wynn. Each song is related to the national pastime, including “Jackie’s Lament” about Jackie Robinson and “Harvey Haddix” which names 17 of the 18 pitchers in baseball history to throw a perfect game.

“Bob and I are tremendously excited to have G. Love and The Baseball Project at this year’s Bash. It shows what a great annual event this has become and how we attract the best in music,” Kasper said.

“It’s such a fun way to kick off Cubs Convention weekend and to raise money for Chicago Cubs Charities.”

Kasper and Brenly will continue their tradition of performing a musical set in between the two headline acts.

Tickets for the Bash are on sale now at House of Blues and on-line at HOB.com.

Advanced tickets are $27.50. Day of show tickets are $30. Doors for the 21 and over show open at 7:00 p.m.

The event is made possible through the support and efforts of sponsors Bud Light, WXRT, WGN Sports and the Chicago Cubs. Proceeds benefit Chicago Cubs Charities.

Since 2006, the Len & Bob Bash has raised more than $107,000 for Chicago Cubs Charities. The funds have benefited a number of organizations including the Illinois chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Baseball Assistance Team and Project 3000.

The 2010 Cubs Convention will be held Jan. 15-17, 2010, at the Hilton Chicago.

Honestly, that’s just not even fair.

(Busted Coverage)

Regulators to disclose salaries of up to $6M for top execs at Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac  By: ALAN ZIBEL –  Federal regulators plan to disclose Thursday that the top executives of government-controlled mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac each earned between $4 million and $6 million this year, two people briefed on the matter said.  The people, who declined to be identified because the announcement was not yet public, said Wednesday that the pay packages were approved by the Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates Fannie and Freddie. – AP   Washington Examiner

————

Are Hedge Funds Responsible For The Missing Half A Trillion In Treasury Purchases? – Submitted by Tyler Durden – haptip John Cervarich – Zero Hedge

————

   + 

China Is Now The World’s Second Largest Economy –  China became the world’s second largest economy in 2009, passing Japan, which has held this distinction for decades. – 24/7 Wall St

and
China Charts Its Own Path – Keith R. McCullough –  While America dithers, the Chinese set up a currency reserve fund against — U.S. crashes.  “Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.” — Leroy “Satchel” Paige – Forbes

————

   + 

Fed proposes new method for withdrawing stimulus – … — proposed the creation of a new mechanism  – a term deposit facility — it could use to withdraw money from the banking system when the time comes to tighten monetary policy. … – Reuters

and

FRB Press release on “Term Deposits” – … Term deposits would not satisfy required reserve balances or contractual clearing balances and would not be available to clear payments or to cover daylight or overnight overdrafts. …

Yes, there’s really a naked clown calendar. The dead mall calendar is kind of cool though.

(Asylum)