FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

21. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

        Accounting Standards Codification 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes fair value measurements based on types of inputs used for the various valuation techniques (market approach, income approach, and cost approach). The levels of the hierarchy are described below:

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  Level 1:    Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

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  Level 2:    Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; these include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active

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  Level 3:    Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions

        The following table sets forth the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, by input level, in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2010 (in thousands):

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	5,138	$	—	$	5,138
Total	$	—	$	5,138	$	—	$	5,138

        The fair value of the interest rate swaps were based on observable prices as quoted for receiving the variable three month London Interbank Offered Rates ("LIBOR") and paying fixed interest rates and, therefore, were classified as level 2.

        The interest rate swaps referred to above were included in current liabilities within the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2010. At December 31, 2011, there were no outstanding interest rate swaps See Note 20 for further details about the fair value of financial instruments.