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Viva Las Vegas!!! Don’t Forget to Grab your Tix4Tonight!
Monday, August 13th, 2007

Shares of Tix Corporation (OTCBB: TIXC) jumped up today after the company announced the acquisition of Exhibit Merchandising earlier this morning. TIXC closed up 91 cents (13 percent) to $7.95 per share on volume of just over 120,000 shares.

TIXC purchased all of the assets of Exhibit Merchandising LLC for a total of approximately $11.45 million in cash, (including approximately $3.45 million for inventory), and 5 million restricted shares of common stock.

Based in Akron, Ohio, Exhibit Merchandising was formed to handle the affiliated merchandising opportunities that its principals created in Arts & Exhibitions, a partner in the successful King Tutankhamen museum exhibition currently touring many of the world’s top museums. Exhibit Merchandising sells themed souvenirs, memorabilia and collector’s items in specialty stores it operates within the museums presenting the exhibitions. Merchandising and store rights for future museum exhibition tours have been contracted.

“We are thrilled by this acquisition and believe the Company will benefit greatly in three distinct ways,” said Mitch Francis – CEO of TIXC – in a statement. First, Exhibit Merchandising has the potential of generating significant revenue from its branded merchandise sales at the extremely high-profile exhibitions it already has under contract. Second, the outstanding sources for the supply of branded merchandise coupled with mature expertise in the marketing and sales of the products provide the company with an opportunity to expand the business by offering these capabilities to the producers of top shows and entertainment with whom Tix enjoys multiple-year relationships. Third, as Tix Corporation begins to take its ticket selling business models nationwide, there is a potential for involvement in the marketing and ticketing of the exhibits themselves.”

TIXC’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Tix4Tonight, sells tickets for Las Vegas shows, concerts, attractions and sporting events at half-price, on the same day of the performance. The company also offers two additional discount products at its Las Vegas facilities, Tix4Golf and Tix4Dinners. Tix4Golf offers discount golf tee times for over 35 courses in Las Vegas for both same-day and advanced bookings and Tix4Dinners offers up to 50 percent off entrees at local Las Vegas restaurants and buffets. The company’s recent acquisition, Tix4AnyEvent.com, sells premium tickets to concerts, theater and sporting events throughout the country.

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Top Closers With Big News
Friday, August 10th, 2007

Public companies love to release positive news and watch the reflection in their stock prices. The following companies released positive news of some kind today or late yesterday and then watched as their stock prices closed very strong.

Endeavor Energy Corporation (OTCBB: ENEC) announced that the company has officially acquired Australian Offshore Oil and Gas Concession Vic/P60. Endeavor Energy had originally entered an agreement to purchase the promising oil and gas concession on April 18th, 2007. The news of this acquisition helped Endeavor’s stock price rise by 21 percent, or 29 cents, to $1.64

“In excess of 4 billion barrels of oil/condensate and 12 TCF gas reserves have been discovered in the basin since exploration drilling began in 1964,” explains Cameron King, CEO of Endeavor Energy, in a statement. “The area has since yielded billions of barrels of production. It’s a very rich region, and we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to explore the area.”

In other news, investors love to get excited about earnings reports. Credence Systems Corporation (NASDAQ: CMOS), a provider of automatic test equipment (ATE) for the worldwide semiconductor industry, announced today that it intends to report Third Quarter Fiscal 2007 financial results after the close of regular trading on Thursday, August 30, 2007. The excitement sent Credence’s share price soaring as the price reached $2.27, up 31 cents or 16 percent on the day.

Parlux Fragrances Inc. (NASDAQ: PARL) announced today a global licensing arrangement with Nicole Miller for the development, marketing and distribution of fragrances under the Nicole Miller and nicole by Nicole Miller Brand names. This arrangement helped drive stock price up as shares increased 27 cents, or 9 percent, to $3.35.

“Nicole Miller is the perfect partner for us as we implement our plan to round out our portfolio at the upper end,” said Neil J. Katz, CEO of Parlux Fragrances, in a statement. “Just as she has established a distinct design signature in apparel that appeals to modern women around the world, we feel she will break through in fragrance to create a scent with similar appeal.”

In the bigger markets, the Dow continued to trade down as it approached the 13,000 mark, but tried to make a slight comeback today finishing 31 points below its open. The Nasdaq also finished down on the day and the S&P lucked out when the late rally provided a .55 point gain today. The late rally in the markets was caused by the fed injecting cash into the banking system to help during the current subprime woes.

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Lookout Exxon & BP!!! ENEC Closes Strong after Acquisition News
Friday, August 10th, 2007

Shares of Endeavor Energy Corporation (OTCBB: ENEC) jumped up today after news about its acquisition of Australian Oil and Gas surfaced. ENEC closed up 29 cents (21 percent) at $1.64 per share on volume of just over 287,000 shares.

ENEC announced earlier today in a press release that it has officially acquired Australian Offshore Oil and Gas Concession Vic/P60. The company had originally entered an agreement to purchase the promising oil and gas concession on April 18, 2007.

The Vic/P60 concession is comprised of 342,000 acres in the prolific Gippsland Basin off the coast of Victoria, Australia - a region long recognized for its rich oil and gas deposits.

“In excess of 4 billion barrels of oil/condensate and 12 TCF gas reserves have been discovered in the basin since exploration drilling began in 1964,” explains Cameron King - CEO of Endeavor Energy - in a statement.

The region’s potential has not gone unnoticed by major oil and gas developers. Several of the world’s largest oil and gas companies are producing, developing and exploring adjacent to ENEC’s concession. Major oil and gas companies that are present and explore the region include Santos, Apache, BP and Exxon.

“The area has since yielded billions of barrels of production. It’s a very rich region, and we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to explore the area,” said King in a statement.

ENEC is a Calgary, Alberta based emerging oil and gas development company focusing on the exploration, acquisition and development of various oil and gas concessions around the world. The company’s current projects are located in Saskatchewan and Alberta of Canada and off the Vic/P60 concession located coast of Victoria, Australia.

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World Poker Teams Up with Card Player Media
Friday, August 10th, 2007

Share prices for World Poker Tour owner WPT Enterprises (NASDAQ: WPTE) skyrocketed this afternoon, suddenly jumping 9.22 percent to $3.79 a share just an hour before market close.

It looks like the reason for the sudden investor interest was a statement the company put out earlier in the afternoon. According to the statement, WPT Enterprises just named Card Player Media as the official partner of the World Poker Tour for “exclusive, live tournament reporting.”

If you’re at all familiar with the world of professional poker, then you’re probably familiar with Card Player Media. The company owns and publishes Card Player magazine, the most popular poker-related publication in the United States. As part of the deal, Card Player will receive exclusive tournament reporting coverage rights and will join forces with WPT’s Live Updates team.

“We are thrilled to be joining forces with the WPT in providing the most complete poker tournament coverage available,” Card Player Media CEO Barry Shulman said in the release. “With this deal, two of the largest and most respected power organizations will be working together to expand coverage from the world’s biggest tournaments.”

Naturally, this is an excellent deal for both companies. By joining forces, the companies will provide exclusive coverage on the World Poker Tour with “up-to-the-minute chip counts” and “in-depth hand-by-hand coverage” over the ongoing poker tournament.

Steve Lipscomb, WPT’s president, founder, and CEO, was thrilled with the decision.

“As the WPT continues to grow and reach new territories around the globe, we wanted to further develop our Live Updates online reporting capabilities so we can continue delivering the most robust tournament news and information to our fans,” Lipscomb said. “An idea partner, Card Player is a respected, established name with a rich history in the power industry.

“We are very excited to launch this strategic agreement with them,” Lipscomb added.

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Why the Sudden Market Volatility?
Friday, August 10th, 2007

Why do we have unprecedented market volatility now? For several reasons: first and foremost, it has to do with consumers leveraging their homes for cash via refinancing as rates fell over the last few years. Everyone who owned a home did this, and many times those consumers rolled into ARMs (adjustable rate mortgages) which are known to become toxic as rates rise. Secondly, the NYSE removed the uptick rule for short selling; why they chose to do this in 2007 remains a mystery to many market watchers. It’s like giving a hedge fund another arrow in the quiver to fire through the heart of the retail investor who still braves the day trading game.

The good news is we are oversold and are due a bounce; we are also up for the year in most indexes. The Dow is up 5 percent, the Nasdaq is up 3 percent, and the Russell Small Cap Index is unchanged.

The bad news is that there will be no money to bump retail sales this year in these refinancing deals of recent past, which is the only reason we have had consistent retail numbers over the past three to five years. Because of this, you can expect year over year numbers to be down. I suggest you review the recent 10Q filings for the retail sector to get a feel for guidance for the main retailers in the sector. While you’re at it, look at the retail index itself for clues about what the technical pattern tells us today. The U.S. economy has survived on the back of the U.S. consumer, and in fact, the global economy has taken its clues from the pockets of back-to-school spending and the disposable income reflected in many restaurant sales.

These were always clues in my days spent managing a consumer hedge fund in early 2000. The point of the matter is this: we are due for a dead-cat bounce across the board, but there are many clues about what is in store for the markets for the rest of 2007, and it is this writer’s guess that all major indexes will be down for the year. This means we all need to be better stock pickers; this starts with choosing the correct sector. It will not be as easy (it never is) as buying metals, oil or alternative fuels. We all need to understand the largest export present in our economy - entertainment; the correct sector to be is in the media sector, and there are several companies in the space which are a value, including Modavox Inc. (OTCBB: MDVX), XA Inc. (OTCBB: XAIN), and several private companies which will be rolled up in 2007 as the media space consolidates. This will be the safe haven, and you heard it here first. Happy hunting!!

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UVSE Surges Up!!! Amberjack Drill Rig Ready to Go
Friday, August 10th, 2007

Shares of Universal Energy Corp. (OTCBB: UVSE) jumped up today after news about its Amberjack Prospect Drill Rig surfaced. In late trading today, UVSE was up 26 cents (33 percent) to $1.06 per share on volume of just over 268,000 shares.

UVSE issued a press release today updating its stockholders on the status of its summer drilling program. In an announcement yesterday, the company informed its stockholders that the drilling rig that will be utilized to drill Well SL 18514 No. 1 at the Amberjack prospect had been released. Today, UVSE announced that the drill rig is in transit and is expected to arrive at the prospect on Monday, August 13, 2007.

“Starting our drill program with the Amberjack prospect is important to us. Prospects like Amberjack, which have proven undeveloped reserves, will be the financial foundation of our company for years to come,” commented Billy Raley - CEO of UVSE - in a statement.

UVSE is an energy company engaged in the acquisition and development of crude oil and natural gas leases in the U.S. and Canada. The company pursues oil and gas prospects in partnership with oil and gas companies with exploration, development and production expertise. The company holds interests in the Pembina oil field located in North Central Alberta; the Caviar prospect located in the Plaquemines Parish of Southeastern Louisiana; the Amberjack prospect located in Louisiana; and the Lake Campo prospect located in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.

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IMAX Dips in Second Quarter
Friday, August 10th, 2007

Leading entertainment technology provider IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX) had a rough day today, dropping 14 percent this morning on the second quarter results the company released after market close yesterday afternoon.

For starters, the company’s film revenues dropped to $8 million from $11.7 million the previous year. Film dollar margin also dropped, although by a much smaller percent, dipping from $3.8 million to $3.6 million this year. The company’s cash and short-term investments dropped as well, falling to $18.5 million from $27.4 million the year before. However, the news wasn’t all bad; the company’s theater operations revenue rose from $4.1 million to $4.7 million.

Despite the dip in revenue, IMAX’s Co-CEOs Richard Gelfond and Bradley Wechsler were positive about the upcoming year.

“As we have previously discussed, 2007 is expected to be a transitional year from a financial perspective,” Gelfond and Wechsler said in a joint statement. “That said, we are growing increasingly optimistic about the progress we are making in executing our strategic initiatives. Our strong film slate is contributing nicely to our momentum, as is the encouraging initial performance of our joint ventures. We expect to see continued positive trends in these areas in the back half of the year, driven most recently by the record-breaking performance of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: an IMAX 3D Experience.”

In addition, the company intends to partner with Paramount Pictures, Shangri-La Entertainment, and Concert Productions International to release an IMAX DMR version of the Rolling Stones concert film Shine A Light directed by Martin Scorsese. Plus, the company recently added I Am Legend: The IMAX Experience, starring two-time Academy Award-nominated actor Will Smith and directed by Francis Lawrence, to its 2007 film line-up.

“We are delighted to work once again with our partners at Warner Bros. to release I Am Legend: The IMAX Experience. This action-packed holiday release is well-suited to IMAX, and we believe this event film, bolstered by the star power of Will Smith, will really draw audiences in,” Gelfond and Wechsler continued. “We also have several great prospects for our remaining 2007 film and our 2008 slate, and look forward to more exciting announcements in the near-term.”

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SZSN Up Slightly after New R&D Agreement
Friday, August 10th, 2007

Shares of Shandong Zhouyuan Seed and Nursery Co. Ltd. (OTCBB: SZSN) jumped up today after news about its new research and development agreement surfaced. In early trading today, SZSN was up 2 cents (9 percent) to 25 cents per share.

SZSN announced that its operating subsidiary company in China has signed a research and development agreement with Sihong Feng Tian Seeds Co. Ltd. to jointly accelerate the application and promotion of new wheat seed “Zhouyuan 187″ in the Jiangsu province, China P.R.C. It is expected that the final products will enhance the wheat production in Jiangsu due to the new application of this new seed.

“In fact, we are generating more products performance data prior to advancement and commercialization decisions than ever before,” said Wang Zhigang - president of SZSN - in a statement. “We hope this agreement and any other similar agreements with more and more distribution and sales networks to rapidly turn our researches effort into applications.”

Through this cooperation, the company’s subsidiary seeks to accelerate the development of new and improved products, enabling technologies, giving growers the tools they need to meet the rapid growth in demand for wheat.

Wang further explains that the vast majority of new product releases and promotion for next year will carry what are becoming the essential researches into commercialization. “For wheat growers, it means they’ll have better wheat seed choices for the 2008 growing season there.”

SZSN, through its operating subsidiary, grows produces and markets the seeds with high starch content for use in industrial food production in China. Its business covers the agriculture seeds development and distribution over more than twenty provinces in China.

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Early Movers with Big News
Friday, August 10th, 2007

Each morning, the exchanges come alive - and finding a company with news to back its movement allows MN1 to bring you updates each morning and afternoon to keep you on top of the small and micro-cap markets. The following companies released some sort of news late yesterday evening or early this morning:

American Home Mortgage Investments (Pink Sheets: AHMIQ) shares jumped 4 cents, nearly 15 percent, to 31 cents just after the market’s open. Today the company announced its shareholder, NWQ Investment Management Co., liquidated its beneficially owned passive stake in the company, disclosing in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Earlier this week, American Home Mortgage received approval to enter into bankruptcy.

Universal Energy Corp. (OTCBB: UVSE) announced this morning that the drilling rig that will be utilized at the Amberjack prospect has been released. The drill will arrive at the “prospect” Monday, August 13, 2007. In response, shares climbed 8 cents, nearly 9 percent, to 88 cents in Friday morning.

“Starting our drill program with the Amberjack prospect is important to us. Prospects like Amberjack, which have proven undeveloped reserves, will be the financial foundation of our company for years to come,” Billy Raley, CEO of Universal Energy Corp., said in a press release.

Endeavor Energy Corp. (OTCBB: ENEC) shares are up 16 cents, nearly 12 percent, to $1.51 in early Friday trading. This morning the company announced it has acquired Australian Offshore Oil and Gas Concession Vic/P60, comprising 342,000 acres off the coast of Victoria, Australia. The original agreement was to purchase the promising oil and gas concession on April 18, 2007.

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Sherri Snyder
Friday, August 10th, 2007

“Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient. [6:24]” — Excerpt from the Art of War, annotated by Sun Tzu in the 6th century BC.

The Art of War is a 2,500 year-old treatise by the Chinese Sun Tzu, and one of the oldest books on military strategy in the world, famous for teaching survival and how to conquer one’s opponent through psychological and physical strategy. The book’s teachings have traversed from ancient battlefields to modern day combat, and even into the offices of corporate America.

CJ Comu not only has a copy of the book in his office, but carries around a pocket-sized copy when traveling. He’s not the only executive to apply the strategies and teachings of the Art of War to his personal and business life, but he is the first to apply it to an entire fight league.

Before getting into the sports marketing industry, Comu worked as a boxing manager for athletes such as David Telesco, Antonio Tarver, Roy Jones and Evander Holyfield beginning in 2002 - Comu worked with promoters to get the boxers involved in fights on HBO, Showtime and FOX.

Comu is now chairman and CEO of Dallas-based SUN Sports & Entertainment (Pink Sheets: SSPE), a professional sports and entertainment production company, certified and licensed as a combat sports promoter producing increasingly popular Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events.

“When I started SUN as a sort of sports marketing company, we were looking to do a franchise model for this industry to be a consolidator - like a Century 21 approach, and found that you can’t franchise this industry because it’s too specialized,” said Comu.

Recognizing the hurdle, Comu changed gears, switching from a consolidated sports and entertainment company to an event production company in the MMA industry. Still, from there it wasn’t easy going.

It wasn’t until January of 2006 that the state of Texas approved the sport of cage fighting. By the end of August 2006, SUN Sports had finalized the vigorous process of obtaining a Texas-certified sports promoters’ license, which is much like that of a gaming license. Comu is one of about 12 people holding a Texas-certified sports promoters’ license.

The state is reluctant to hand out licenses, wanting to first make sure the applicant has the know-how and ability to produce the event, and is a person of character, abstaining from organized crime which may result in the person “fixing” the event. Like any other popular sport with any fraction of a fan base, there is a lot of betting that goes on within the fighting industry.

Aside from financial screenings, interviews, and much more, Comu said the state recognized his business model, proposal, and previous experience in the industry in combination with his current management team when granting him the license.

“A lot of people want to become sports promoters, and produce championship level events; but if you don’t have the experience, the state is not going to give you a license because you could potentially blow the whole thing up,” he said.

The whole cage fighting craze began with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993. It was this entrance into the mainstream sporting world that has given UFC such a popular following.

“UFC is the juggernaut,” said Comu. “[They’re] the 10,000 pound gorilla in the space.”

In January 2005, UFC approached the state of Nevada with the proposition that if the league enforced rules and regulations, such as medical screening, then cage fighting would be able to advance toward mainstream sports. After Nevada gave the go-ahead, many states came forward one by one to approve the sanction - however, there are still a lot of states that refuse to recognize fighting at a professional level.

Humans have always had an attraction for fighting, and when cage fighting was introduced over the airwaves, the sport’s popularity spread like wildfire.

“When [UFC] went on the air through their relationship with Spike TV, people went ‘Oh my god - what’s that?’ That’s when all the sudden, the sport got such a huge fan base,” said Comu.

UFC fighters have a unique platform on how to get into the league and start fighting. Fighters within UFC must sign a long-term contract with the league, are forbidden to fight for anyone else in the world, and can only fight for a UFC title.

“Other people in the industry have what I call the Dallas, Texas, world championship - a closed fraternity of fighters from the community that can only fight each other for a Dallas belt,” he said.

In contrast, Comu, along with his SUN partner J. Buckeye Epstein, was one of the founders of the International Fighters Association (IFA), a non-profit based in Luxemburg that ranks and rates fighters and sanctions events. It’s the difference between disputed vs. undisputed. SUN produces the Art of War, which provides an arena for a true undisputed champion to appear where the fighters fight for an IFA belt fight in an IFA sanctioned fight.

IFA is a non-profit organization set in place to govern the fighters within the industry which, for a long time, had no governing body. SUN not only helped create the governing body, but also sits on the board.

Before IFA, the sport was much like the 1999 blockbuster hit “Fight Club,” featuring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton.

“The rules were as follows - there were no rules. There was no time limit. No rules on gloves or no gloves, a lot of guys fought bare knuckle, no tap out procedure. There was kicking to the head while the opponent was down - a lot of very vicious things that did not allow the sport to ever gain mainstream,” said Comu.

Once rules were created, the sport went mainstream, and the fan base spread to more than cage fighting fans, beckoning fans of martial arts from all “corners,” of the world. Comu said he believes people have become bored with boxing, its foreseeable movements in the ring, and the lack of headlining heroes.

“We’ve lost the champions; we don’t know who to root for,” said Comu. “The days of the Ali’s, the days of the Foremans, the Tysons … they’re gone. Ten years ago if you asked somebody ‘Who’s the heavyweight champion of the world?’ they would have told you. Now, nobody has a clue.”

It’s not just that the recognition of boxing heroes has diminished, but what has materialized in its place. Where children once played video games with players equipped with a limited array of moves, video games today have more of a martial arts appeal, featuring players that can perform specialized stunts.

Monkey see monkey do - as MMA becomes more action packed and specialized, the widespread love of boxing may be in threat of extinction as fans grow accustomed to merciless and brutal fighting, boasting kicks and turns and jabs never seen before.

“[Kids] loved that action. Boxing didn’t deliver that action - so when MMA came out is was about as raw and pure and unadulterated as you can ever imagine of what true gladiators faced when they get locked in a steel cage,” said Comu.

Those “true gladiators” have hit the 21st Century with vigor, appeal and tattoos. And they’re fighting in a league dedicated to the true sportsmanship, and the physical and psychological virtues of the Chinese military treatise, the Art of War.

“We took the Art of War name … because we felt it best represented the physical and psychological challenge of what a warrior faces when they walk into the cage,” said Comu. “There’s just as much physical as much as there is psychological attributes to being successful in the ring.”

The art of being able to use all three modalities required in martial arts, boxing, and wrestling, requires a great deal of discipline.

“These athletes are triathletes; they have to be great boxers, great wrestlers, and they have to have a great martial arts backgrounds,” said Comu.

Once the fighters have learned to condition their bodies through rigorous training, they must also learn to keep their minds open and clear in the cage.

“The sport is so fast … something can happen to you so fast that your mind has to be crystal clear and open. It’s like a chess game on steroids - things happen so fast that you must be prepared for thinking three moves ahead of the opponent verses in a traditional single mono y mono sport like boxing - you have an arm coming at you and another arm coming at you and that’s it. You have a choice - is it the left hand or right hand?,” Comu said.

The simple fact that psychological preparation rivals physical preparation should give inkling to what kind of person the average fighter is. While Comu said there’s not a standard demographic fighter, the men are more educated and financially stable than given credit for.

I’ll admit my own stereotype: when I encounter a guy with a shaved head and a grimacing smile, covered head to toe with scars and tattoos, I’m guilty of mistaking his outward appearance for an ignorant ogre with a criminal record; especially after having seen men like him in fights on TV, I may inch a little closer toward my boyfriend, reach for my tiny can of mace, or position myself for a dead sprint in the other direction if needed.

However, Comu continued that the fighters are usually college graduates, and married with children - blowing my misconception, and undoubtedly others’, out of the water. So what makes these men get in a 24-foot metal cage to beat the hell out of each other?

“They’re usually doing this thing because they have a true affinity and a love for the sport,” explained Comu. “They’re champions.”

Comu outlined the difference in the general attitudes of MMA fighters versus boxers, claiming MMA fighters carry a higher level of honor and tradition in their pre-fight delivery and initial appearance in the arena.

“There’s limited trash talk, if any,” said Comu. “Very rarely do you see trash talk in MMA. It’s a whole different breed of fighters.”

And those fighters are performing for a new and changing breed of audience. About 80 percent of the fans of MMA, or cage fighting, are males between the ages of 18 and 30, though Comu said the sport is quickly gaining female interest.

The “30 plus” crowd, as Comu describes them, is interested in the bare sport, have disposable income to spend on higher tickets, and is generally more loyal to the sport - they love the entertainment, action and violence each fight brings. Overall, it’s a youthful industry - both in the age of the crowd and the age of the sport.

“The industry is young, it’s got nothing but huge phenomenal growth,” said Comu.

Then there’s the other side - the mothers who pray their children will somehow miss the sweeping current of cage-fighting, and those who feel the sport is barbaric and cruel, viewing it as an attempt to glorify bloodsports and violence.

“It’s only barbaric if there’s no rules; if there are rules that means those rules have taken enormous amount of time with a lot of people with a lot of brain trust, researching what you can allow, what you don’t allow,” explained Comu. “It is what it is, which is a very aggressive, very raw fight, where two contenders are matched up pound for pound to try to see who is the better of the two opponents.”

And as Comu pointed out - this is hardly a “barbaric” sport - the fighters are paired to fight pound for pound. You won’t find a 350 pound man fighting a 185 pound man.

But it’s still the bare sport, the ruthlessness and blood that attracts fans - it’s an attribute Comu said the company can’t undersell, but won’t oversell either.

And business strategy, possibly based on the Art of War, is just as important for putting on a good show as the fight itself. IFA is an international company, producing fights with Russia, China, Canada, UAE, UK and Mexico. The only blatant competition the company faces is UFC, and its competition Comu doesn’t seem to find threatening.

“It is producing a very spectacular event and very few people can pull off the formula successfully; we think we can deliver as good, if not better, quality product than our competition,” he said.

SUN boast what Comu calls “tradition of the fight business,” featuring the Colorguard and other nuances to the business, with organizations belting the national anthem as the event begins.

“It’s like a miniature Superbowl when you come to the Art of War. None of our competition has done that yet - that we’ve seen,” he added. “We think a lot of people are going to get drawn toward the company because of how we deliver and what we deliver - people like to invest in companies that they enjoy.”

SUN’s next event will take place Labor Day weekend - the company will produce the largest MMA fight to hit Dallas, as well as the first MMA fight in Dallas to be available on Pay-per-View. Comu said the company expects it to be a highly attended event.

“If we continue to play our marketing cards as well as we anticipate - we can do a pretty good job of hitting the 14,000 to the 15,000 mark at American Airlines Center - we don’t know but obviously that’s our goal and objective and we’ll see how close we get,” he said.

In addition to Art of War, SUN has what Comu calls its marquee fight division, or under-ground cage fighting. The underground cage fighting idea came as the company searched for a way to generate revenue while in between fights.

“This is a kind of strange financial model of business - you invest and invest and then you have pay day. Then you invest, invest and invest, and then you have pay day,” said Comu.

So far the company has lined up six fights within the next two months. Comu said they eventually expect to have one every week.

Sitting in Comu’s quiet, dimly lit office, taking notes as he talks from across his large, dark wood desk, it’s hard to envision him in the fighting arenas he has grown accustomed to. For this reason he explained to me the high buzz of energy that runs through the crowd and fighters before each round.

“It’s a high level of energy and anticipation unlike any other sporting event - it’s like Game 7 of an NBA playoff where there’s absolute electricity in the air,” said Comu. “There’s a certain drama when you walk into the arena - all the lights are softly lit - in the center of the arena is this steel 24-foot circular cage just waiting.”

“It’s kind of like the old days of the Roman gladiators where the two gladiators are put into the arena to see who battles to the end. There’s great music going on, it’s high energy, we have video screens … electricity and energy is what you will experience when you walk into the arena.”

As the steel door of the cage slams shut, there in the light are two men standing face to face in a cage, each knowing the guy at the opposite can an inflict upon him just as much pain as he can him.

“So it is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will win hundred times in hundred battles. If you know only yourself, but not your opponent, you win one and lose the next. If you do not know yourself or your enemy, you will always lose.” - Excerpt from the Art of War, annotated by Sun Tzu in the 6th century BC.

[QualityStocks]

Homeland Security Cleaning House with New ClearBlue Product
Friday, August 10th, 2007

Homeland Security Network, Inc. (OTC:BB, Symbol;HSYN),” HSNI” has announced its decision to increase its product line outside its existing mobile asset “GPS” tracking systems. The company’s strategy has always been to provide security for consumers, corporations, and government agencies; however, the company views the addition of marketing the water purification solution “ClearBlue™” as adding a new dimension to HSNI’s market opportunities.

ClearBlue is a patented, totally green, triple-buffered, safe-acid technology that has recently received EPA approval for a variety of uses. HSNI has entered into an exclusive marketing agreement to assist certain states, health organizations and worldwide governmental agencies in all water related forms of disaster relief, prevention and elimination of many forms of bacteria and biological contaminants carried in water.

ClearBlue has a positive impact on waste water cleanliness, is EPA approved for recycled/reclaimed water and is safe for humans, wildlife and the environment. HSNI’s newly appointed Senior Vice President, Blaise Zampetti says,” this highly effective low cost solution will change the way governments world wide will deal with pollution of lakes, rivers and standing water in disaster scenarios. The control of E-coli, Listeria, and Salmonella alone will build our market far beyond original expectations.”

The addition of marketing this new product and related technologies as well as others to come, symbolizes HSNI’s intention to be an industry leader in bringing innovative new products and technologies to market that will make the world a “Pure and Secure” environmen

[QualityStocks]

Morning News Friday August 10th 2007
Friday, August 10th, 2007

General News:- The Federal Reserve added $19 billion in temporary funds to the banking system through the purchase of mortgage-backed securities to help meet demand for cash amid a rout in bonds backed by home loans to riskier borrowers.

- .S. stocks tumbled for a second day, following European and Asian markets lower on concern the credit crunch will hamper growth in the world’s biggest economy.

- Shares of Countrywide Financial Corp. and Washington Mutual Inc. fell after the U.S. mortgage providers said demand has dried up and finding sources of new money may become more difficult.

- Treasuries rose, with two-year note yields touching the lowest in 18 months, as elevated money- market rates led the Federal Reserve to add extra cash to the banking system for a second straight day.

- U.S. regulators rejected Wyeth’s experimental antipsychotic bifeprunox for schizophrenia, sending down shares of Wyeth and its partner on the pill, Solvay SA.

- Prices of goods imported into the U.S. rose more than forecast in July on higher oil costs, highlighting Federal Reserve concerns that inflation may not subside.

- Oil prices were down for a second day Friday, slipping below $71 a barrel amid concerns over the U.S. economy. Light, sweet crude for September delivery lost 61 cents to $70.98 a barrel in trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

- Consumer confidence rebounded in August, rising to a five-month high as receding gasoline prices and a mostly solid employment climate made people feel better about the economy’s prospects and their own financial situations.



Asia/Europe:



Asia:

- Asian stocks slumped the most in five months as a widening credit crunch hurt prices of Macquarie Bank Ltd., Toyota Motor Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co.

- China’s trade surplus surged 67 percent in July to the second-highest on record, bolstering U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson’s case for a faster appreciation of the yuan.

- The Bank of Japan added 1 trillion yen ($8.49 billion) to the financial system, joining central banks in the U.S. and Europe in supplying cash to assuage a credit crunch.

- India’s industrial production grew in June at the slowest pace in eight months, below all estimates, as interest rates at a five-year high curbed consumer spending.

- PetroChina Co. shareholders approved a $5.6 billion Shanghai stock sale, agreeing to a plan that will enable China’s largest oil producer to close in on Exxon Mobil Corp. as the world’s biggest company by market value.



Europe:

- European stocks declined as concern increased that a widening credit crunch may hurt economic growth and earnings.

- The European Central Bank loaned 61.05 billion euros ($83.6 billion), pumping funds into the banking system for a second day after U.S. subprime mortgage losses rippled through credit markets and drove interest rates higher.

- Deutsche Bank AG’s DWS unit, Germany’s biggest mutual fund company, said the assets in one of its investment funds have fallen by 30 percent since the end of July as subprime mortgage losses roiled credit markets.

- Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, with 94.5 percent of shareholders approving the takeover of ABN Amro Holding NV, said market turmoil won’t derail the deal.

- Investors reduced bets on interest rate increases by the European Central Bank and the Bank of England after a credit crunch forced central banks to provide emergency cash.





Corporate News:

- Affiliated Computer Services Inc. (ACS) said that under terms of its takeover agreement it can no longer solicit competing takeover bids, potentially clearing the way for a buyout led by a private equity group and the company’s founder and chairman.

- Shares of California Pizza Kitchen Inc. (CPKI) fell following a disappointing quarterly report and a weak sales forecast as it faces challenges from higher labor and food costs.

- Shares of First Marblehead Corp. (FMD) dipped in Friday morning trading as the student loan services provider’s quarterly earnings report ominously foreshadowed how disruption in the credit markets will affect the company’s business.

- Shares of Red Lion Hotels Corp. (RLH) spiked as much as 4.1% in early trading Friday, before moving lower with the broader market, after an analyst upgraded the hotel operator on a potential buyout and signs of brand expansion.

- Health care services management company Hythiam Inc. said Friday its second-quarter loss widened as operating expenses surged with higher member utilization.

- Shares of First Solar Inc. (FSLR) fell after the solar cell maker said it priced an offering of 6.5 million shares of its common stock at $95 each.

- Shares of restaurant operator Steak n Shake Co. (SNS) fell sharply Friday after the company reported a third-quarter profit drop and lowered its fiscal-year guidance.

[QualityStocks]

Top Closers with Big News
Thursday, August 9th, 2007

It was definitely a dark day on Wall Street as the Dow Jones dropped 387 points, marking the second-worst loss of the year. In response to the continued credit market rut, a French bank announced it would freeze three funds invested in U.S. subprime mortgages, citing the inability to properly value the assets, and spurring the Dow decline.

Regardless, there’s still positive news in the market, and the following small-cap companies released news that nudged their shares up the charts today.

Viewpoint Corp. (Nasdaq: VWPT) shares rose 9 cents, or 11 percent this afternoon, settling at 99 cents by the market’s close. Today the Internet marketing technology company announced its second-quarter revenue, posting a 16 percent increase from the first quarter of 2007 to $3.8 million, but down 33 percent from $5.7 million the same quarter last year. Despite the news, shares of the company remained positive.

After previously climbing to 12 percent to 29 cents in early morning trading, shares of Biophan Technologies (OTCBB: BIPH) fell slightly down at 24 cents at the end of the day. Today the company announce that Medtronic Inc. (NYSE: MDT) will acquire Biophan’s MRI safety patents for an $11 million cash deal, expected to be finalize in the next 60 days.

Shares of Caliper Life Science (Nasdaq: CALP) were up 56 cents, nearly 11 percent, to $5.67 at the market’s close, reflecting the company’s announcement of its second-quarter results for 2007. The company reported its revenues were up 45 percent to $35.3 million, up from $24.3 million the year before. Net loss for the quarter rose to $6.3 million, up from $2.1 million the same quarter last year.

Shares of Wilsons Leather (Nasdaq: WLSN) increased 20 cents, or 12 percent, to $1.85. Today the company announced it will expand its accessories business, the appointment of a new chairman for its board of directors, and a decrease in same-store sales for the month of July 2007.

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Wilson Leather Shares Climb though July Sales Decrease
Thursday, August 9th, 2007

Wilsons the Leather Experts Inc. (Nasdaq: WLSN), most commonly known by leather jacket and handbag lovers as Wilsons Leather, posted a slew of news today, pushing shares up 20 cents, about 12 percent, to $1.85 at the market’s close.

The company reported a 2.2 percent decrease in same store sales for the month of July; the leather retailer also posted annual sales of $15.7 million for the month, as compared to $16.1 million for the month of July in 2006.

Accessories, including wallets, gloves, hats, briefcases, bangles and belts, currently account for 35 percent to 40 percent of the company’s business. In an effort to increase its accessories category, the company has hired three advisors to help blueprint the best plan to propel the company forward.

Additionally, the company announced the appointment of Michael T. Sweeney, managing partner of Goldner Hawn Private Equity, to chairman of the board, noting that Mike Searles will continue to serve as CEO.

“Goldner Hawn invested in Wilsons Leather because we are excited about the company’s prospects, particularly with regard to our future in the women’s accessories business. We believe that the company’s 411 stores across the United States uniquely position us for success. As chairman, I look forward to working directly with the company’s leadership team in solidifying and implementing our strategy,” Sweeney said in a statement.

The 411 stores in operation by Wilsons Leather include 281 mall stores, 116 outlet stores and 14 airport stores.

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Thorium is Positive about Development Stage Results
Thursday, August 9th, 2007

The leading developer of low waste, non-proliferative nuclear fuel technology for existing and future reactors, Thorium Power Ltd. (OTCBB: THPW), released its business update for the second quarter today.

The stock price reflected the news positively as shares increased 11 percent, or about 3 cents, to 28 cents on volume of 721,356.

Seth Grae, CEO of Thorium Power, stated in a release earlier, “We are making strides in bringing our thorium-based fuel designs to the forefront as a viable solution to nuclear proliferation concerns and environmental issues around the world. Specific to Thorium Power, in recent communications we have indicated we are actively engaged in very high-level discussions with foreign governments and global commercial entities regarding the utilization of Thorium Power’s fuel designs in existing and new reactors that are slated to be built or are in the planning stage. These discussions, confidential as they are, continue to progress diligently. We continue to be both confident and encouraged by the level of interest in our fuel designs.”

Although the company has not generated any revenues over the course of the last two years, and is operating at a loss, the company does show financial strength through its balance sheet. Thorium has a sufficient amount of working capital, which provides financial strength, but it has decreased its debt quite significantly to near 20 percent of last years level.

While generating losses, the company is doing quite well in its development stage. According to its recent press release, the company says that interest in its thorium-based fuels continue to gain momentum as a number of countries publically state their interest in the fuel source.

Mr. Grae continued, “It is quite important for both investors and industry to recognize the significant uniqueness of our fuel designs. Most importantly, Thorium Power’s proprietary technology is proliferation resistant. Quite simply, Thorium Power’s fuel designs do not produce weapons-usable materials in spent fuel. Additionally, our fuels significantly reduce nuclear waste, yielding approximately fifty percent reduction by volume, seventy percent reduction by weight, and ninety percent reduction in long-term radio-toxicity.”

Thorium is marching onward into the second half of 2007 with a positive outlook. The company plans on pursing opportunities for countries interested in its thorium-based nuclear fuel around the world.

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Online Marketing: Viewpoint Releases Q2 Financials
Thursday, August 9th, 2007

As the Internet consumes the way we receive our information, carry our personal and professional financing chores, shop, plan vacations, and more, there’s an open plate sitting before advertising and marketing companies. Online marketing boasts the low cost distribution of information to a vast global audience. Once a company has established itself as an operating Internet-based company, it has stepped its foot into a rushing flood of competition.

Now comes the innovation, creativity and technical advances required to “make it.” Internet marketing companies utilize search engine marketing, display advertising, interactive design, advertisements and more.

Viewpoint Corp. (Nasdaq: VWPT) is one company working toward establishing its presence as an online marketing company. The company announced its second quarter revenue today, prompting shares to climb the charts 9 cents, nearly 10 percent, to 99 cents in afternoon trading.

Viewpoint reported its total revenue for the period ended June 30, 2007, was $3.8 million; while the number is 16 percent increase compared to first quarter revenue, it’s a 33 percent decrease compared to the $5.7 million in revenue reported for the same period last year.

“Moving forward we will continue to focus on creating the most flexible rich media and video ad platform in the industry. With the successful build out of our capabilities, we are now in a position where we can really take advantage of the tremendous opportunities in the market,” Patrick Vogt, president and CEO of Viewpoint, said in a statement. “We continue to refine our business - creating additional capabilities that complement our offerings in order to accelerate our growth. As a result, we expect improvement in both revenue and operating performance in 2007 compared to 2006.”

Viewpoint’s technology company provides digital products and services for Internet marketers. The company’s online advertising campaign management feature, Unicast Advertising Platform (UAP) allows publishers, advertisers and agencies to manage the process of launching online advertising campaigns. Utilizing UAP, Viewpoint clients can not only deploy a campaign, but track its results as well.

In a race to be the best, Viewpoint is counting on its “flexible rich media” and “video ad platform” to bring it more opportunity for growth and expansion. The Viewpoint Web site hosts an attractive, interactive site providing information and demos on a variety of its rich media products. The company’s top technologies are its Viewpoint Media Player, Application Marketing Solutions, and the aforementioned Unicast Ad Platform.

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Theater Xtreme up 40 Percent
Thursday, August 9th, 2007

Share prices for home theater projection retailer Xtreme Entertainment Group Inc. (OTCBB: TXEG) was up an impressive 40 percent today, spurred on by a recent company expansion summary written by Xtreme Entertainment CEO Scott Olgum.

“Theater Xtreme is a progressive company that continues to meet important expansion targets while remaining highly differentiated in the consumer electronics retail segment,” Olgum said in his letter. “Thousands of Theater Xtreme cinema rooms are in the homes of middle-income Americans. Our customers have lived in their homes for an average of five years, and have an approximate home value of $500,000. We add more satisfied customers to our family everyday.”

According to the letter, the company’s been busy lately. Not only are there now 27 stores that are either in operation or awaiting development - five of which are company-owned stores - but in the next 30 days, more stores will open in Seattle, Washington, and Draper, Utah - and new suburban stores are expected soon.

In addition, the company’s “e-tail” - online retail - site will go on later this year, which Oglum expects to “greatly expand [the company’s] footprint.”

“It will present online shoppers with affordably priced, preconfigured theater rooms,” Oglum said. “Unlike the many component dealers across the Internet today, we’re positions to make buying a theater room online as easy as buying one in our stores.”

In response to the news, the company’s share prices rose to 35 cents a share by mid-afternoon.

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Cyberkinetics Up on Negative News
Thursday, August 9th, 2007

Share prices for Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems Inc. (OTCBB: CYKN) were up 12.5 percent today, apparently bolstered by the company’s recent second quarter financial results.

According to the financials, total revenues for this quarter were at $439,000, down $32,000 from the previous year’s second quarter revenues of $471,000. Although the revenues were down year over year for the second quarter, for the first half of the fiscal year 2007 the company has generated $80,000 more dollars in revenues. This will help the company get on track to increase yearly revenues for the second year in a row.

Grant revenue fell as well, down to $110,000 from $177,000 the year before, and the company reported a net loss of $3.1 million, or 8 cents a share, compared to a net loss of only $2.6 million, or 9 cents a share, the previous year. Just like the revenues, the second quarter net loss wasn’t as favorable as the prior year, but half yearly totals do show the company has made improvements with the net loss about $83,000 dollars less than this point last year.

The company also used $2.8 million to fund the company’s operations this quarter as compared to the $1.9 million the previous year. Lastly, the company ended the quarter with less cash-in-hand than the previous year, holding only $5.9 million as compared to the $11.8 million in the previous year.

Despite these negative numbers, share prices for Cyberkinetics were actually up in response, moving to 54 cents a share.

One of the few companies in the marketplace that works with this new technology, Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems Inc., is developing neural stimulation, sensing and processing technology to improve the lives of those with severe paralysis from spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders and other conditions of the nervous system. Some of its products include the company’s cleared-to-market NeuroPort System, a neural monitor designed for acute inpatient applications; the Andara Oscillating Field Stimulator for the regeneration of neural tissue; and the BrainGate System, which will let paralysis victims control a computer, assistive device or limb movement through an advanced electronic system.

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Caliper Releases Second Quarter Results and Guidance
Thursday, August 9th, 2007

Financial reports are still trickling in for the first half of the fiscal year 2007. Caliper Life Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: CALP), a leading provider of equipment for preclinical drug research, announced its second quarter results for 2007.

Revenues for Caliper were up 45 percent year over year in the second quarter to $35.3 million. The generated revenues for this quarter were able to out-perform the guidance levels set between $30 and $35 million. Compared to the prior quarter, revenues were up about 24 percent as the first quarter generated $28.44 million.

“In addition to our revenue initiatives, we are encouraged by our 1200 basis point improvement in product gross margin and actions taken during the second quarter to further streamline our operations. We believe these actions will result in approximately $2 million of annualized cost savings beginning in the third quarter,” commented Kevin Hrusovsky, president and CEO of Caliper, in a statement.

In other news, the company’s net loss for the second quarter was $6.3 million, or 13 cents per share, compared to the net loss of $2.1 million, or 6 cents per share, for the same quarter in 2006. The company said in the statement that the quarter’s net loss reflected its post acquisition cost structure. Caliper did follow in the footsteps of last years $2.1 million loss by making ground toward profits from the first quarter of the year.

In the first quarter of 2007, Caliper generated a net loss of $9.6 million, but increased to $6.3 million in the second quarter. It would be unfortunate if the company follows last year trend regarding the third quarter. Caliper took a step back in its third quarter in 2006, generating a loss of $13.5 million, which is a 600 percent deeper net loss.

Mr. Hrusovsky added, “As we head into the second half of 2007, our strategically reconfigured company is taking hold and delivering improved results. We are pleased with our pipeline build and believe that the combination of rapid growth in new Xenogen products and drug discovery service offerings, coupled with our recently launched new microfluidic and automation products will contribute to double-digit revenue growth and strong margin improvement.”

The guidance the company is predicting for third quarter 2007 is revenues between $31.5 and $35.5 million, and for the full year expect to bring in $137 to $143 million. The full year growth would be near 27 to 33 percent from the prior year. This would place fourth quarter guidance in revenue near $41.8 and $43.8 million, which is an increase between 23 and 33 percent for the quarter.

Investors seem to see this as positive forward-looking information as the stock price has moved quite sharply today. Stock price has increased 43 cents, or 8 percent, to $5.53 on volume of 230,000 as of 11:10 a.m. CDT. The company is trying to rebound from its yearly low stock price a month ago, to try and catch back up to its 52-week high of $6.43.

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PURE Teams Up with Swabplus to Tackle China
Thursday, August 9th, 2007

Shares of PURE Bioscience (OTCBB: PURE) jumped up today after news about its distribution agreement with Swabplus came out earlier this morning. In early trading today, PURE was up 17 cents (5 percent) to $3.47 per share.

PURE announced in a press release that it has granted a license to market and sell its patented silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC)-based hard surface disinfectant in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to privately held Swabplus Inc.

“We are excited about the opportunity to introduce SDC into Asia as a more effective alternative to traditional poisonous disinfectants and a powerful weapon against dangerous pathogens including avian flu, SARS, MRSA and norovirus or norwalk virus,” said Garry Tsaur - president of Swabplus - in a statement.

Under the terms of the agreement, PURE will sell SDC concentrate to Swabplus for blending, packaging and distribution of the SDC-based disinfectant product. Swabplus has dedicated approximately 70,000 square feet of its 300,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in San Dong Province in China to the blending and packaging of SDC-based disinfectant.

In addition, Swabplus will assume compliance responsibility for all regulatory and legal requirements by national, state and local governments.

“Swabplus has been an investor in PURE for many years, and we are pleased to expand the relationship to include distribution of an SDC-based disinfectant in Asia,” said Michael L. Krall - president and CEO of PURE - in a statement. “Mr. Tsaur and his partners have demonstrated excellent business and government connections in Asia, and after visiting the plant in China, I am impressed with the quality and sophistication of Swabplus’ facilities in both the U.S. and abroad. Our agreement provides for increasing minimum purchases beginning in 2008 and we expect to begin filling initial orders for Swabplus by the end of 2007.”

PURE Bioscience engages in the development, manufacture and marketing of technology-based bioscience products providing nontoxic antimicrobial solutions. It primarily offers silver dihydrogen citrate-based antimicrobials and boric acid-based pesticides. The company also provides Axen and Axen 30 hard surface disinfectant products for commercial, industrial and consumer applications, including restaurants, homes and medical facilities.

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