Press Releases

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/03/09 -- Excalibur Resources Ltd. (the "Company") (CNSX: XBR)(FRANKFURT WKN: A0MMDH) is very pleased to announce that it has received preliminary results from the Sturgeon Lake VTEM survey carried out by Geotech Ltd. The survey shows a series of strong and laterally extensive conductors, across the 27 km strike length of Excalibur's property, comparable to those hosting VMS and nickel deposits in other mining camps. Previous fieldwork confirms that the VTEM conductors are sulphide-bearing horizons with anomalous Cu, Zn, Ag, and Au. Excalibur will continue to analyze this new information in preparation for fieldwork and drilling.

Tim Gallagher, Chairman, states, "The VTEM results, showing large and extensive sulphide bearing conductors combined with surface outcrops of sulphides, positions Excalibur for an exciting drill program next summer. Our property is adjacent to the former Noranda Matabi mining camp which ceased production in 1990."

Dr. H. Mumin, Ph.D, P.Eng., P.Geo, a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 has reviewed the contents of this press release.

Excalibur Resources Ltd. is a junior exploration mining company focused on the discovery, development and mining of economically viable precious and base metal mineral resources.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Tim Gallagher, Chairman

The CNSX has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

Contacts:
Excalibur Resources Ltd.
Tim Gallagher
Chairman
416-925-0090
info@excaliburresources.ca
www.excaliburresources.ca

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 3, 2009) - Excalibur Resources Ltd. (the "Company") (CNSX:XBR)(FRANKFURT WKN:A0MMDH) is very pleased to announce that it has received preliminary results from the Sturgeon Lake VTEM survey carried out by Geotech Ltd. The survey shows a series of strong and laterally extensive conductors, across the 27 km strike length of Excalibur's property, comparable to those hosting VMS and nickel deposits in other mining camps. Previous fieldwork confirms that the VTEM conductors are sulphide-bearing horizons with anomalous Cu, Zn, Ag, and Au. Excalibur will continue to analyze this new information in preparation for fieldwork and drilling.

Tim Gallagher, Chairman, states, "The VTEM results, showing large and extensive sulphide bearing conductors combined with surface outcrops of sulphides, positions Excalibur for an exciting drill program next summer. Our property is adjacent to the former Noranda Matabi mining camp which ceased production in 1990."

Dr. H. Mumin, Ph.D, P.Eng., P.Geo, a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 has reviewed the contents of this press release.

Excalibur Resources Ltd. is a junior exploration mining company focused on the discovery, development and mining of economically viable precious and base metal mineral resources.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Tim Gallagher, Chairman

The CNSX has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
        Excalibur Resources Ltd.
        Tim Gallagher
        Chairman
        416-925-0090
        info@excaliburresources.ca
        www.excaliburresources.ca

Source: Excalibur Resources Ltd.

ST. CHARLES, MO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/03/09 -- Ameristar Casino Resort Spa is now rated among the nation's elite lodging facilities after becoming the first hotel in St. Charles to earn the prestigious American Automobile Association (AAA) Four Diamond designation.

Ameristar's 397 all-suite luxury hotel and spa in St. Charles opened in 2008 and now joins Ameristar properties in Council Bluffs, Iowa and Jackpot, Nevada as Four Diamond facilities. The Company also recently opened a 536-room Four Diamond-caliber luxury hotel and spa in Black Hawk, Colorado, which serves the Metro Denver market.

One of the lodging and restaurant industry's most illustrious honors, the AAA Four Diamond designation recognizes establishments that consistently achieve high levels of quality and service. It is awarded to those restaurants or hotels that significantly meet or exceed AAA requirements. Less than four percent of North America's lodging facilities attain the level of excellence required for the Four Diamond designation.

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles earned the honor after being evaluated unknowingly on more than 300 facility and guest service benchmarks.

Ameristar CEO and Vice Chairman Gordon Kanofsky said, "Ameristar is honored by the designation, which affirms the dedication to excellence at our eight properties."

"Ameristar is built on providing premium facilities coupled with outstanding guest service. Both are central to earning the AAA Four Diamond designation," Kanofsky added. "The St. Charles hotel and our newly opened hotel at our Black Hawk, Colorado property are the most recent examples of Ameristar's commitment to excellence in quality properties and service."

The hotel tower at Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles is a 25-story full-service casino resort destination that includes the lavish 7,000-square-foot Ara Spa and an inviting indoor-outdoor connecting pool with a full-length deck and event lawn area.

Custom design and finishes are prevalent throughout. Sunken living rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows showcase views of the Missouri River on one side and the historic city of St. Charles on the other. Non-smoking and wheelchair-accessible rooms are available.

Each suite features:

• Full-height leather headboards
• Geometrically-patterned stone floors at the entrance
• 37-inch plasma-screen televisions in the living room and bedroom
• Bathrooms with a separate tub and glass-enclosed shower, matching vanities, enclosed water closets and an LCD television screen
• Complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access
• In-room safe

Ten King Spa and two Presidential suites include such features as full wet bars, premium surround-sound entertainment systems and gas log fireplaces.

About Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles, owned by a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameristar Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASCA), brings the finest gaming, lodging and entertainment to the banks of the Missouri River, serving the entire metropolitan St. Louis area from its convenient location just north of the Interstate Highway 70 bridge near historic St. Charles, Missouri. Established in 1994 as one of the first gaming facilities in Missouri, the property was re-branded as an Ameristar facility that opened in 2002. Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles boasts a full-service spa and indoor-outdoor pool, 397-suite luxury hotel with seven restaurants and three entertainment venues, including HOME, the region's premier nightclub. The resort features a 130,000-square-foot casino vessel offering the largest selection of gaming options in the region, including approximately 3,000 slots, more than 50 table games such as blackjack, craps, and roulette, a new luxury high-limit room and a 19-table live poker room.

About Ameristar

Ameristar Casinos, Inc., is a leading Las Vegas-based gaming and entertainment company known for its premier properties characterized by innovative architecture, state-of-the-art casino floors and superior dining, lodging and entertainment offerings Ameristar's focus on the total entertainment experience and the highest-quality guest service has earned it leading market share positions in the markets in which it operates. Founded in 1954 in Jackpot, Nev., Ameristar has been a public company since November 1993. The Company has a portfolio of eight casinos in seven markets: Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles (greater St. Louis); Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City; Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs (Omaha, Neb., and southwestern Iowa); Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg (Jackson, Miss., and Monroe, La.); Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago (Chicagoland area); Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk (Denver metropolitan area); and Cactus Petes Resort Casino and The Horseshu Hotel and Casino in Jackpot, Nev. (Idaho and the Pacific Northwest).

Visit Ameristar Casinos' Web site at http://www.ameristar.com (which shall not be deemed to be incorporated in or a part of this news release).

Contact:

Mike Knopfel
Public Relations Manager
Ameristar Casino Resort Spa
St. Charles
636/ 940-4946

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Amidst debate over the economic implications of California's landmark global warming law, the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) today released a report comparing the assumptions, models and results of differing economic analyses. Three of four prominent analyses show the costs of climate policy are far outweighed by projected economic growth, the new study finds.

Climate Solutions and Economic Growth in California (http://www.resource-solutions.org/publications.php) examines the assumptions, models and results of four different economic modeling efforts conducted by the following organizations: l) California Air Resources Board (CARB); 2) University of California researchers; 3) Charles River Associates/Electric Power Research Institute; 4) Varshney and Tootelian.

The first three studies all found strong growth even while considering only a narrow class of benefits -- expected energy savings from efficiency measures. The fourth study, Varshney and Tootelian, includes only costs and no benefits associated with the law. Broader economic benefits expected to occur, such as boosts to the clean energy and pollution control sectors, improvements in public health, and increased investment in clean tech industries, were not included in any of the studies.

"Our examination revealed that the state's economic analysis is consistent with other major independent macroeconomic studies, including those from the University of California, the Electric Power Research Institute and Charles River Associates," commented report author Chris Busch. "Each show strong statewide economic growth under AB 32. The story these models tell is that climate solutions are affordable and economic growth is expected to be robust at the same time that pollution reductions of the magnitude called for by AB 32 are achieved."

Highlights of the report include:

    --  Three of four studies involve sophisticated Computable General
        Equilibrium type economic models.  The Varshney and Tootelian study uses
        a less advanced input-output model that does not allow for shifts in
        production decisions based on energy prices.
    --  Three of four studies use the standard approach that involves three
        steps: l) Forecasting a Business As Usual (BAU) scenario (assumes AB 32
        does not exist) of California's economy each year to 2020; 2) Developing
        a scenario of expected changes that result from AB 32 implementation; 3)
        Computing difference between Business-As-Usual and AB 32 scenario
    --  The fourth study, Varshney and Tootelian does not develop a Business As
        Usual scenario and instead imposes CARB's estimates of AB 32 costs only
        on 2008 data to evaluate economic impacts.
    --  Three of four studies produce similar results showing sustained
        long-term economic growth with minimal impact from the implementation of
        AB 32.  Varshney and Tootelian produce dramatically different results
        reflecting costs only.

"Even without computing a broad range of economic benefits associated with reducing emissions, three of four mainstream studies show similar results: robust economic growth in California after the implementation of AB 32," remarked Busch. "Our comparative analysis shows clearly that the Varshney and Tootelian study is an outlier in assumptions, modeling and result."

About Center for Resource Solutions

Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) is a national nonprofit with global impact. CRS brings forth expert responses to climate change issues with the speed and effectiveness necessary to provide real-time solutions. Its leadership through collaboration and environmental innovation builds policies and consumer-protection mechanisms in renewable energy, greenhouse gas reductions, and energy efficiency that foster healthy and sustained growth in national and international markets. For more information about its programs, including Green-e, visit www.resource-solutions.org and www.green-e.org.

CONTACT: Jeff Swenerton
Communications Director
Center for Resource Solutions
415-561-2119 office
415-265-8142 cell
jeff@resource-solutions.org

SOURCE Center for Resource Solutions

Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Recognizes Financial Education

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE) recently recognized the financial education program of MidCountry Bank's military banking division, Pioneer Services, as one of the best in the nation, awarding it the winner of the "Outstanding Consumer Information" category in AFCPE's annual award program. The AFCPE awards honor those organizations that provide superior financial education materials that are innovative and timely, and provide a depth and breadth of information.

With the economy struggling, it is more important than ever for families to take control of their money--especially military families who are facing deployment--and the best way to take control is through comprehensive financial education. Pioneer Services' program offers a wealth of materials on a variety of topics, and having professional financial counselors and educators recognize it shows just how effective it is.

The AFCPE award is the fourth award that the military banking division of MidCountry Bank has received for its financial education materials: the American Bankers Association (ABA) honored the company in 2008 for its entire program, while in 2009 the ABA and Institute for Financial Literacy both recognized the company's book, the Military Spouse Finance Guide: Financial Advice for the Homefront.

MidCountry Financial Corp. is a financial services holding company with subsidiaries that deliver high quality and diversified financial services to targeted markets. These subsidiaries include MidCountry Bank, Pioneer Financial Services, Heights Finance Corp., OFC Capital, MidCountry Investments, and Insurance Planners. Since 2002, its associates have been dedicated to building a high quality financial services organization respected by its constituencies, and characterized by a commitment to the values of integrity, fairness, honesty, excellence, and compassion.

For more information, visit MidCountryFinancial.com.

All loan applications subject to our credit policies. No official U.S. military endorsement is implied. MidCountry Bank is a member FDIC.

    Source: MidCountry Bank