The Spirit of Santa at AeroMechanical

Sometimes its the little things a company does that tell you more about its collective character than the big business deals it pursues.

Such is the case this Christmas season at AeroMechanical when its roughly 45 employees bought up about 60 Teddy Bears, around 300 toys and a dozen colouring books to give to the Salvation Army.

AeroMechanical executive assistant Michelle Dawydiuk said employees have organized Christmas fundraisers like this for over one half of the company's roughly nine-year life.

In addition to the toy collection, Mrs. Dawydiuk said they were also putting on a silent auction with some toys they held back in order to raise funds for the Salvation Army's waning kettle program.

CEO Bill Tempany - who proudly boasts how he can fit into a Santa outfit without requiring a tummy-buldging pillow - strolled past the auction board and doubled CFO Tom French's bid on one item.

Not to be outdone, Mr. French snuck in later and upped Mr. Tempany's bid by one penny.

The final auction tally wasn't available at publication time.

Life's Inevitable Conclusion Comes Too Soon.

In Memory Of Jay Jaski

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It is about learning to dance in the rain".

These words reminded me of Jay Jaski. The giant smile, the passion for life and family, the drive to take an idea and turn it into something so much more. Over the past sixteen years Jay went from business associate to friend to recently a client but always a friend. Yes, from time to time he would make you crazy but we never questioned his motives or his focus as the deep desire to successfully complete the task was ever constant.

"The death of someone we know always reminds us that we are still alive - perhaps for some purpose which we ought to re-examine".

When someone close leaves, especially so suddenly, it forces reflection. Perhaps this is more so when your buddy is your age and 50 is in the rear view mirror. Once you get past the initial shock, you understand that never again will there be a night where over glasses of wine you discuss matters of family, solve the world's problems or concoct the next great business deal. Next is self examination, which quickly is reinforced by your loved ones that perhaps it is time to stop emulating the hamster and his wheel.

“Death ends a life, not a relationship".

Our deepest condolences go out to Jay's wife, Liz, and the children. There are few words that will be a salve for a mighty wound.

Keep smiling buddy. Your energy stays with all of us.

Grant

Asia Now Receives Continued Solid Support By Asian Government

Asia Now (TSX-V: NOW)

Asia Now management are breathing a sigh of relief after Chinese government officials assured them they would not be affected by recent policy changes regarding foreign mining.

"We have been reassured that our properties in Yunan have full legal protection and government support at both provincial and local levels," said Asia Now chairman Douglas Scharf.

"With the support from the local government, our exploration programs in Yunan will progress in a very straightforward and unhindered manner."

Click here to read news release

The stock market took a hit after a new Chinese policy was announced this past fall.

So this timely clarification by Chinese government officials gives Asian Now the ultimate gift, just in time for Christmas.

The company has had strong government support since it opened shop in China and its relationships with its joint venture partners and government officials puts it levels above other foreign companies that are mining in China.

Money In The Bank For Anglo Swiss

Anglo Swiss Resources (TSX V: ASW /OTCBB: ASWRF /BERLIN: AMO)

Santa arrived a little early for Anglo Swiss with today's news that it raised $4.3 million through a combination of flow through and common share units. Click here to read the release.

Up until this year, raising capital had been an ongoing struggle for ASW but funds that came in to the coffers in early 2007 allowed the company to move ahead with technical programs and then drilling on its Kenville copper/gold project just outside Nelson, British Columbia as well as fall drilling at the Fry Inlet diamond property in the NorthWest Territories.

This just completed placement assures the company has sufficient capital to undertake the phase two work and drilling program at Kenville, which is slated to start in the early part of 2008. Final determination of additional technical work and drill sites will in part be contingent on assay results from phase one drilling. The lab is expected to begin delivering those results towards the end of January.

AeroMechanical Rates Comments From Analyst

AeroMechanical Services (AMA - TSX V)

Calgary based Acumen Capital analyst Brian Pow had a few words about AMA today on the SmallCaps segment on BNNtv following a caller's question. Go to the 21 minute mark to listen to his comments.

Saying that the company has "announced some recent wins in Europe for the A320" and is "early stage from a revenue perspective" but management expects it to be cash flow positive in a few quarters, he concluded with, "this is a good company I'd probably buy for the long-term".

AeroMechanical has had more than a few mentions on BNNtv over the last several weeks. These comments in combination with several recent news releases has led to a substantial uptick in volume. In the last 11 trading days almost 11 million shares have changed hands with the price moving between $0.55 and $0.95 before settling in the low $0.80's at today's close (Dec. 19).

There's no doubt many eyes are on the company, which bodes well for future positive announcements.

AeroMechanical Signs Up Major European Airline

(TSX-V: AMA)
The long-awaited signing of a European airline, that sports a fleet of Airbus aircraft, was announced late on Dec. 14th and it made the market soar.

With only two hours of trading left on a Friday afternoon, after many brokers had already left for the weekend, AeroMechanical shares jetted up to close at $0.89 on volumes of just over 2.9 million shares.
Shares opened at $0.69 and hit a Friday high of $0.95.

The unidentified airline contracted to install AeroMechanical's patented technology on 10 of its 30 + aircraft. It awaits its board's approval before signing contracts for the remaining fleet.
"We are very excited to add a significant European A320 operator ... to our growing list of customers, AeroMechanical President Darryl Jacobs said, noting this gives his company airline customers on every continent, save South America.
To view the full press release please click here.

Fund Manager Inspires AeroMechanical Price Hike

(TSX-V: AMA)

It started out as a good day on the markets for AeroMechanical Services (AMA) but it turned to dazzle right after Toronto-based Northern Rivers fund manager Alex Ruus appeared on BNN Television and said he was "very keen" on AMA.

Share prices rose from $0.55 to hit a high of $0.70 as over 850,000 shares traded hands. Prices closed at $0.65.

One of the strongest statements Ruus made was that AMA, "is going to be a very valuable company five years out."

To view the BNN interview, please click here and watch the segment that starts at the 38:40 minute mark.

Asked whether he agreed with a recent Research Capital report that has a $3 price target by November 2008, Ruus said that was "definitely doable," depending on AMA's business growth.

One of the brightest prospects AMA faces, Ruus added is the opportunity to equip a large portion of the 1,100 Chinese commercial aircraft fleet with AMA's breakthrough technology.

That technology allows airlines to know exactly where each of its airplanes are, which monitors each aircraft's performance in real time and communicate with its pilots no matter where they are flying.

AMA recently announced it received a Chinese purchase order to cover 10 aircraft in advance of Chinese regulators hopefully lowering the last hurdle that would allow the use of AMA's technology there.

Ruus said there appeared to be a "very high certainty" Chinese regulatory approval was imminent.

In addition, AMA also announced Dec. 13th that it received a $180,000 federal government department grant to create enhanced weather monitoring equipment for commercial aircraft.

The equipment will give weather forecasters a more accurate view of changing conditions as aircraft fly around the globe.

To view the press release please click here.

Influential Fund Manager Buys 10% of AeroMechanical

(TSX-V: AMA)

The sticks and stones in the dirty end of the business schoolyard - lawsuits and regulatory challenges - didn't deter Hugh Cleland from stealthily snapping up nearly 7.7 million shares of AeroMechancial (AMA).

Given that amount, Mr. Cleland, announced late last Friday (Dec. 7th) that he was now classified as an insider. Mr. Cleland is founder and manager of Northern Rivers Innovation Fund.

His SEDAR disclosure documents indicated Mr. Cleland piled AMA shares into his war chest before Nov. 30th, well before the Dec. 5th announcement that AeroMechanical made its first major breakthrough to enter the Chinese market.

Of note, Cleland's buying was also taking place before and after a company that claims to be an AMA competitor - Star Navigation - filed a patent infringement lawsuit against AMA and entangled AMA in a lawsuit between Star and one of its former executives. Star also asked the United States Patent Office to "review" AMA's patents.

AMA dismissed all of Star's actions as frivolous. It launched a vigorous counter offensive but despite all of that, many investors recoiled and AMA's share prices dipped.

It was obviously another buy opportunity for Mr. Cleland, in keeping, perhaps, with his fund winning the 2006 Opportunistic Strategy Hedge Fund award. Since the fund's inception in May 2001, it has enjoyed an average annual return of 36.5%, as of January 31st, 2007.

In 2006, it returned a staggering 92.5%.

Cleland earned his honours bachelor of arts degree from Harvard University in 1997 and in March 2001, his CFA designation.

Mr. Cleland regularly appears on BNN and his nice or nasty reviews on various companies have such a huge impact, executives can be instantly rendered into kings or paupers.

Anglo Swiss Visual Results Prompt Summary On Kenville Drill Program

Anglo Swiss Resources (ASW: TSX-V) (ASWRF: OTCBB) (AMO: BERLIN)

Anglo Swiss today released a recap of the phase one - 1365 meter, five hole drilling program that took place on its Kenville property.

The Howard Group has published all of the visual drill results along the way as ASW announced them throughout November. Putting this summary together is an important factor ensuring the market appreciates what the company has accomplished.

All five holes showed mineralization that was consistent with or better than what ASW expected. The pleasant surprise is what came out of drill holes four and five, which defined a portion of the size of the Eagle Gold Vein. We now know that the vein runs approximately 150 meters and varies from 1.65 - 5.1 meters in width. When Teck touched into the vein, assay results returned 2.4 ounces of gold per ton. More drilling is planned in early 2008 to further define the true size of this vein as it is still open to the northwest, southeast and depth.

We recommend that shareholders read the summary attached below as the results so far warrant a closer look until the assay results arrive the first part of 2008. The map attached below shows current and past drill programs since 1990 when Teck was drilling on the property.

It should also be mentioned that the 2007 Kenville drilling only covered 100 meters of north- south distance of the 1000 meter established grid length. This grid only represents about 20% of the entire Kenville property and much more drilling will be taking place as the true potential and value of this property is yet to be determined.

Click here to view the news release

Nine Reasons To Buy Neptune Plus One More!

Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. (NASDAQ.NEPT - TSX.V.NTB)

Catalyst Research analyst, Robin Cornwell recently issued an update on the nine reasons he believes Neptune is a buy. We're sure he'd like to see Santa using this list as a stocking stuffer for good boys and girls.

A big part of his list deals with the things he says the market ignored such as the upfront payment from Yoplait and the importance of Dr. Steve Nissen joining the scientific advisory board.

Access the list by clicking here.

Neptune added another reason with today's news that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia has approved Neptune Krill Oil (NKO) as a "complementary medicine allowing immediate commercialization in Australia hence New Zealand, which automatically allows TGA approved products."

The point the company stressed in the news release was that this was a breakthrough considering the tough regulatory environment under the TGA. In short, this is a big step for NTB as "complementary medicines are classified as a subset of over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals" in the TGA jurisdiction.

Today's news should be read in context of Neptune's work in the functional food area as well as it ongoing discussions with pharma companies.

To view the news release click here.

AeroMechanical's Big Bird Lands In China

AeroMechanical Services (AMA - TSX V)

AeroMechanical CEO Bill Tempany has been in a holding pattern over China trying to land his business in that booming economy for at least a couple of years.

Well, the Chinese company AMA has been working with to install AeroMechanical's (AMA) tracking, sensoring and communication technology on board China's civil airline fleet finally gave him permission to land.

The breakthrough came in the form of 10 purchase orders to install AMA's patented solutions on new generation 737 passenger jets.

But with those purchase orders in hand, Mr. Tempany still has his gaze firmly set on the bigger opportunity - China's entire fleet of 1,100 commercial aircraft.

There is one point to remember. Chinese regulatory authorities still have to clear a satellite frequency AMA requires for its technology, which gives airlines a real-time view of how each of their aircraft is operating anywhere on the globe.

But the Chinese company actually handling the sales and coordinating installations was so confident that approval was imminent, it issued the purchase orders so the technology would be in China and ready to roll out the second regulatory approval is granted.

The market obviously likes the news as in the first hour more than 1.3 million shares traded hands with the stock moving from the $0.50 to $0.60 range.

To read the full press release please click here.