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For years, Cliff Wright played golf in Bradenton with people who had ended their careers by age 55, so his carefully chosen retirement date -- at 65 -- seemed far away.
Thanks to the Great Recession, Wright, now 67, still works full time for the Sarasota accounting firm he founded with his wife, Barbara. He has little leisure time for golf, he says, "and my handicap shows it."
His revised retirement age goal: 70.
As a numbers guy, Wright can easily do the math on why it makes sense to keep working. He is among the growing ranks of older people who are changing the face of America's workforce.
Over the last 20 years, according to a new report by the U.S. Census Bureau, the share of Americans 65 and over who remain in the labor force has grown by a third -- a trend expected to accelerate as more healthy-but-not-so-wealthy baby boomers reach the traditional age of retirement and just keep plugging away.
The total share of of seniors who work rose from 12.1 percent in 1990 to 16.1 percent in 2010. In 2011, according to survey results, it appears to have edged up to 16.2 percent.
"This does not seem to be a short-term pattern, says census researcher Braedyn Kromer, who co-wrote the report. The trend, she adds, reflects "broad societal changes, including financial necessities and increased opportunities for women."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that workforce participation by Americans 65 and older will reach 22.6 percent by 2020. This would be an additional 40 percent increase in nine years -- fueled by the mass of older boomers who cannot afford to fund the long years of leisure their parents enjoyed.
Florida's increasing share of older residents in the workforce echoes the national trend, though it lags the U.S. average. The state's "attractiveness to retirees is absolutely a factor," Kromer says, causing an influx of newcomers who have already stopped working.
Florida also has a larger population base of the very elderly, who are less likely to have paying jobs, says Eric R. Kingson, a professor at Syracuse University who co-directs an advocacy group called Social Security Works.
"Working if you can and want to is a good thing," he says. "I'm 67, and I have no intention of not continuing to work, but I'm also a very fortunate person.
"We always talk about the retirement decision, but I think that's a misnomer. There are people who have lost their jobs or their health, or have significant caregiving responsibilities that cause them to leave the workforce."
Kingson acknowledges that the need for some boomers to keep working will further diversify the older population in Florida.
"You have people who are coming to retire specifically, some of them coming out of pretty good jobs with pensions" he says. "You also have indigenous Floridians who are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet."
Healthy 65-year-olds today have at least a 40 percent chance of living into their 90s, which means some will be at risk of outliving their savings. For baby boomers, economists say, 70 is the point at which Social Security payouts and accumulated savings will be enough to see most of them through.
According to Wright, this reality is finally sinking in.
"My clients are always asking me, 'When do I retire?'" he says. Because putting off enrolling in Social Security increases the total benefit, Wright has always told them, "you do not take it at 65; you take it at 70 because we're living longer. This used to fall on deaf ears, but now people are starting to hear that."
But Kingson worries that the rise in older Americans who can and do work longer will create a burden for those who cannot.
"I have difficulty with people who say, 'Oh we're living longer and we should work longer, so raise the retirement age,'" he says. "Raising the retirement age is a benefit cut; it's a very blunt instrument."
As a financial planner, Wright believed his own retirement plans were solid. But the economic downturn and its local reverberations delivered "a big hit" to his arrangements.
"I was pretty well-diversified," he says. "I had a home with 20 years' worth of equity, and an investment portfolio, and our business pays us a pretty good wage."
But his accounting firm, which operated for years in the old Sarasota Quay, had to move when the waterfront retail complex was torn down in 2007. The Wrights had to find new quarters, buying commercial real estate at the height of Sarasota's land boom. After their purchase lost value, along with their investments, retiring at 65 "didn't seem to be a logical thing to do," Wright says.
With the current tax season, his business is picking up, and stock market indexes are back to where they were before the downturn -- although not to where they should be by now, Wright points out. But it will be a few years before he's confident enough to retire.
"I was real comfortable before the recession hit," he says. "I want my home to come back; I want my commercial property to come back. I'm just waiting for all of those things to happen."
Some have it easy. And some have to keep plugging away.
For years, Cliff Wright played golf in Bradenton with people who had ended their careers by age 55, so his carefully chosen retirement date -- at 65 -- seemed far away.


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Monday, June 20, 2011
Art in the Park
Every year, the Omak Kiwanis hosts their Art in the Park in Omak, Washington. This year, I was a vendor at Art in the Park. We just came back from Omak a few hours ago and now resting at home, recuperating from this weekend's experience.
The weather didn't completely cooperate with us though. It rained on and off most of the first day, which is when most of the the people show up. Sunday was a BEAUTIFUL day, but being Sunday, the crowd wasn't quite as a large.
The economy has made a large impact on Art in the Park too. People are looking for basics and personal gift ideas that are also inexpensive. Many of the usual vendors that attend Art in the Park come from all over the Northwest. This year, many of the vendors didn't show because the expense required to travel.
Despite all of that, Art in the Park was still a success. I chose to come again this year because I lived in the Okanogan for over 17 years. I still have family and friends that live in the area. We live about 500 miles away though and the gas cost was atrocious. Still, we considered it a success because it allowed us to spend time with our family and we were able to recoup some of our cost of traveling.
Our customers were looking for good deals, unique gift ideas at affordable prices, and handmade product with quality at reasonable prices.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to provide quality with affordability in this economy. I had to raise my prices and use some lesser priced oils that still that didn't impact the quality of our soaps and other handcrafted items. I also had to use packaging that didn't cost as much.
There were a few customers who complained about the "high price" of handcrafted items and were looking for an even better bargain. I simply explained that they were welcome to check out my "bargain section" which I always have at every arts and craft fair I attend. These items are often half price. Many of my soaps are $5 and more. When someone says this is too spendy, I simply state that I won't compromise the quality of the soap. Besides, people frequently purchase a $5 hamburger without blinking an eye, which they enjoy for maybe 20 minutes. For the same price, I can give them a quality soap or other handcrafted product that will last for 2 months or more.
Handcrafted artists and vendors do not "make a killing" on the price of their handcrafted items. They want to make a quality handcrafted item, they want to be able to afford to do this, and want to attend affairs like Art in the Park and other places to show their wares; which costs $ because they pay to be a part of the arts and crafts fairs, the gas it takes to travel to these affairs, the items they need in order to set up a great display, the business license and insurance, PLUS suffering through all the increased costs of producing their wares...it's a wonder that handcrafted artistry is even alive in our country anymore.
We hope to attend Art in the Park again next year and hope that all of your enjoy our soaps, handmade and re-loved treasures.
Posted by Trish's Soapy Blessings at 7:25 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: art in the park, craft fair, Omak, soap, washington
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subset: commoncrawl


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1100 Porlier St
Green Bay WI, 54301
|Web Reg Available to:
Both Residents and Non Residents
|Max Capacity:
|Closed Dates:
|11/02/2020 to 04/30/2021, 08/16/2020, 08/23/2020, 08/30/2020, 09/06/2020, 09/13/2020, 09/20/2020, 09/27/2020, 10/04/2020, 10/11/2020, 10/18/2020, 10/25/2020, 09/07/2020, 11/01/2020
Shelters can be reserved by calling 920-448-3365. On the day of your event, a caretaker will meet you at your scheduled time to open your shelter and go over any questions or concerns of the shelter with you along with cleanup and closing procedures. He will then arrive to lock the shelter at your scheduled closing time.
Once the shelter is unlocked, someone needs to be at the shelter at all times.
Glassware, pets, smoking or fog machines are not allowed inside any City shelter.
Inflatable bounce house structures are not allowed in the parks.
This east side enclosed shelter is located at 1100 Porlier St. The inside shelter holds 34 people and has 1 serving table, 6 folding tables and 34 chairs. The outside canopy has 4 picnic tables and will accommodate 24 people. The canopy is accessed through the overhead door and is included with shelter rental. On street parking. Band or DJ is allowed, must be done by 8 pm and must have prior approval. Alcohol is not allowed. Rental season is first Saturday in May through the last Sunday in October. Park amenities include: Basketball Court, Horseshoe Pit, Lighted Tennis Courts, Playground Equipment, Softball Field, Volleyball and Wading Pool. Click the blue item detail button located in the right lower corner for more information.
Maximum days in advance facility can be reserved: (480)
Minimum days in advance facility can be reserved: (60)
Shelter Rental Fees: $116.05 (Daily) (Required)
Tents in Parks Fees: $147.70 (Required)
Applicable discounts not applied and Taxes included in price.


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Waiters, Irving lead Cavaliers over Wizards
WASHINGTON -- One day after their general manager was unexpectedly fired and playing without their second leading scorer, the Cleveland Cavaliers managed to snap their six-game losing streak.
Luol Deng was out with flu-like symptoms, and Kyrie Irving, who missed shootaround because he was ill, fought through his sneezing spells to help lead the Cavaliers to a 115-113 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday.
Irving had 23 points and tied a career high with 12 assists and made all 13 of his free throws. Dion Waiters scored 24 points and C.J. Miles had 18 for Cleveland.
"I'm all right. It's the best that I'm going to get right now," Irving said.
The second-year guard admitted that the firing of Chris Grant, who drafted him, was troubling.
"That's the sad part, the bad part about our business. Things are going to change whether you like it or not and you still have to go out there and perform as a professional. It was probably on our minds but we can't use it as an excuse," Irving said.
Cleveland took a 67-63 lead at halftime when Irving hit four free throws just before the intermission and never relinquished it.
The Cavaliers took a 101-87 lead three minutes into the fourth quarter, but the Wizards, who were led by John Wall's 32 points and 10 assists, couldn't make up the difference.
Martell Webster hit two late 3-pointers to cut the lead to 115-113 with 2.9 seconds left. Cleveland's Jarrett Jack missed two free throws with 2.2 seconds remaining. A scramble resulted with Washington getting possession with 0.2 seconds left, but couldn't get off a final shot.
The near comeback didn't impress Wizards coach Randy Wittman.
"We wait until the last four minutes to fly around and decide to play defense. Last four minutes of the game. Everybody will say, you gave a great effort coming down the stretch. No we didn't. For 44 minutes we didn't give an effort," Wittman said.
His team didn't heed his warnings.
"We told them what that organization is going through right now. Some tough times with the firing of their GM. They're going to be desperate. It always happens no matter who it is that gets fired," Wittman said.
Washington fell to 24-25. It's the 12th time they're one game under .500 this season. The Wizards were one game over .500 after Monday's win against Portland for the first time since Oct. 31, 2009, but they lost in double overtime to San Antonio on Wednesday.
"We're not a very good team. Good teams don't do that over and over and over and over again. We can get all caught up in .500, and I told you guys what that meant. Nothing. And think you've arrived. Good teams do not lose basketball games like this nine, ten, 11 times halfway through a season," Wittman said.
Marcin Gortat had 19 and Webster 18 for Washington.
"We have a lot of fans coming in, paying to watch good basketball at a high level. They expect us to win games like that -- and we're losing," Gortat said.
Waiters scored just four of his 24 points in the fourth quarter when he was just 2 for 7 from the field.
"The energy was different, these guys knew what was at stake after going through a situation where we went through. We faced adversity and it wasn't the first time for us but at the end of the day we came out here we played hard, played for one another and we got a big win," Waiters said.
Grant came under fire after he chose Anthony Bennett with the first overall pick last June. Bennett has struggled in his first months with Cleveland, though coach Mike Brown, a longtime friend of Grant's, defended Bennett before Friday's game, saying he's shown great improvement recently.
Bennett had eight points.
Game notes
Cleveland's Alonzo Gee had a season-high 11 points. . Wall addressed the fans before the game, thanking them for their support in All-Star Game voting. The fourth-year guard will play in the Feb. 16 game in New Orleans for the first time. .Washington F Al Harrington hasn't played since Nov. 12 because of right knee surgery. Wittman said he thinks Harrington will play again this season, but wouldn't put a timetable on it.
NBA News
Heat's Jimmy Butler out again, vs. Bucks, to rest sore foot
Jimmy Butler's sore right foot will keep him out of a second straight game Thursday against the Bucks, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
LeBron sitting for second game of a back-to-back
Marc J. Spears believes that LeBron James should have been sitting for the second game of a back-to-back even without a sore right groin.
What Ben Simmons' knee injury means for him and the Sixers
The Philly All-Star's injury could change the playoff picture for several contenders in the East.
Regular Season Series
2019-2020 Central Standings
2019-2020 Southeast Standings


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The Driftless Region of SE MN, NE IA, and SW WI typically sees enough rainfall to nurture an almost-breadbasket capacity for growing food. Just about every aspect of growing, buying, and selling this food points to the logistics of moving it. LSP continues to work to build demand and markets but the need for infrastructure, particularly distribution, has come to define our community food work in this region.
In the commercial food world, the farmer takes pennies per food dollar; this short-shrift approach has no place in a food community committed to sustaining everyone. If we want THIS food - the potatoes and beef of our region - then those farmers must be profitable enough to farm the next year. The singular cost of fuel, let alone labor, vehicle upkeep, even the inevitable parking ticket contribute to a case for paying more attention to how food moves – or could move - as a significant variable in determining a fair price for all.
In work with a local distributor and more, we inevitably weave in other facets of local food infrastructure – food sourcing; public education on- and off-farm; and farmer-targeted workshops on transportation costs, on-line marketing tools, product pricing, and the economics of grass-based livestock production. We offer programs in Hmong, and some worksheets have been translated into Spanish: our commitment to sustainable agriculture makes this cultural leap a natural component of all our food work.
Our work around local food distribution reaches deeply into the core of the local food movement with questions about how the land is managed, scaling up, maintaining the personal "face of the farmer," and improving farmer profitability.
A land ethic, wrote Aldo Leopold, "evolves in the minds of a thinking community." The full price of stewardship food, one that engenders such values as would support decent livelihoods for small- and mid-sized family farmers and workers, and our shared need for real food with a fair price tag, will take some real thinking, in the realm of distribution and beyond.
We acknowledge some of our more active partners in LSP's Driftless Region food community:
• Bluff Country Co-op
• Co-op Partners Warehouse
• Farmer partners — please see LSP's Stewardship Farm Directory
• UM SE Regional Sustainable Development Partnership/ The Experiment in Rural
• Cooperation
• UM Organic Ecology
• Winona County Economic Development Authority
• Ziebell's Hiawatha Foods, Inc.


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Friday, 12 November 2010
My mum came through to Glasgow to visit me the other night and we went out for a nice meal and got quite tipsy on lovely wine. It was nice to see her, as always, but interestingly we had a chat about my arthritis. Not a very in depth chat, but more than we have for about 6 months. She asked how 'my hands' are (she never says arthritis, it's always my 'hands'). I told her about my dodgy foot lately and how I think it's settling down a bit and then told her about my recent rheumatology appointment. She took it all in and said to me: 'Don't think I'm not worried if I don't talk about it, because I am. It's just I know there's nothing I can do to help apart from be there for you. I'm glad you have a good doctor.'
And then FINALLY, she said she had an appointment with her GP next week to ask her to run blood tests for RA. You see, for about 3 and a half years my mum's had problems with her legs. She had some swelling in her knee and ankle a while back and just general pain. She gets quite stiff as well and I'm totally convinced she has arthritis too. Only question is whether it's osteo or rheumatoid and since I have rheumatoid I'm guessing she might too. Her doctors have been quite useless so far, just giving her insoles for her shoes and what not. But I guess since she's 57 and it's her lower body they'd automatically assume osteo.
Thing about my mother is, she's horrifically stubborn. She never complains and she concentrates on other people. She runs about like a headless chicken doing a thousand things and I've been getting on at her for about a year to go to the doctor and ask about blood tests. I get so worried about her but she just shrugs it off. She's the opposite of me, I panic at the slightest health problem and need to go sort it right away. She prefers to ignore it. Both extremes are bad in their own way.
I don't know if I hope it's osteo or rheumatoid. At least with rheumatoid there are treatments she can try. But at the same time I wouldn't want to see my mum in the same horrible situation as me, taking lots of drugs and god knows what. But the point is, she definitely has something going on and it's not going away and in the past year I've become quite pragmatic about these things. No point hiding away, you gotta stand up for yourself and face your fear head on.
I think the thought of my ma having RA upsets me more than me having it. Even though she's not diagnosed with anything she has a lot more problems than I do with stiffness and pain and at least I'm an energetic young thing, I feel like I'm pretty fit and have more energy to battle it, you know? And I've faced it from day 1 and am doing all I can with my doctors to prevent damage. Who knows how much damage my ma's got in the past 4 years. But then I guess at least she had 53 years free from it where as I only had 23.
Ok this is getting to be a really long serious post. It's not all doom and gloom, to be honest I think her going to the doctor is a positive thing and hopefully she can get some relief in the next year or so. And we're both still active and relatively well and there's no point worrying about what might happen.
And it's the WEEKEND!! And I'm going to visit friends down south in Brighton and I have Monday off work. So..hooray!
Have a good one, folks.
5 comments:
- Anonymous12 November 2010 at 18:49
I love how your mum says there's nothing she can do but be there. If they were all so wise many would not also have depression to go along with their RA. I too have trouble with my knees something awful. Especially lately. Now my hands swell to double size. Very painful. But, then a good day will come or a couple of hours and I'm strong enough to fight it again. I'll keep her in my growing prayer list. Hugs. TammyReplyDelete
It's an interesting paradigm shift, to be on the other side of someone being chronically sick. I hope that everything with your mum goes well.ReplyDelete
Sorry your mum is going through this now. For me, it's harder to watch someone close going through this than for me to endure it.ReplyDelete
I have both OA in my knees and RA everywhere else. I would much rather have the OA than RA. While the OA can be very painful, there are many days that my knees are pain free.
Thank you, it is awful to worry about someone you love. I'm sure she'll be ok though, she's a very strong lady.ReplyDelete
Terry I dont know much about OA but Im sorry you have that to deal with on top of the RA!
My mom has severe fibro and it is hard to watch her suffer. I know it is the same for her watching me. It does sadly connect us in a way my other siblings just don't understand.ReplyDelete
I hope your mom gets some help and feels some relief soon. Also, I hope your weekend with friends was wonderful!


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Support our nonpartisan, nonprofit research and insights which help leaders address societal challenges.Donate
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Publication Date:
December 2013
Europe continues to make small steps toward sustained financial stability, but growth remains muted. The Euro Area is likely to continue on a slow growth path in 2014. Several important economic factors have not yet recovered, however, indicating that the economic environment remains recessionary. Investment in the Euro Area is still weak due to continued uncertainty in the banking sector, which is curbing recovery prospects. Export growth is a potential upside for the economy, but weak emerging markets remain a drag on the outlook for global trade.


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The Asocial Networking
By Dhiraj Kumar
Social Media has intrigued me, more in the last couple of years when I realized the potential it holds. And on receiving a book review request from Dhiraj about his book I was more than happy to do it!
Thankfully, the book proved to be interesting enough for me to complete it, and not like a text book for dummies.
A debut attempt, this book somewhere reflects the author's angst for the virtual world. This is one aspect I appreciate and would expect writers to keep in mind: Write what you truly feel- with convictions (but backed by strong facts/stats and data!)
The 150 odd essays (the author's experiences) running over 300 pages reflect the debate between the real and the virtual world and how being offline is now a thing of the past. For those who aren't online, they are as good as non-existent!
The author has some really stern views and I respect those, but maybe the virtual world is gaining prominence for a reason. Going all out and unleashing fury might not help at this stage. #justsaying
A slower evolution would do the trick, if everyone realizes the commercial propaganda that the virtual circle has in fact created around everyone one of us.
Many points in this book were too basic for me (sorry about that but I have read quite a bit in to social media) and thus felt repetitive at many places.
Most of the author's points/experiences do make for a good read- given the style of writing. Like decoding personalities with the kind of status updates or pictures or activities one indulges in.
My only woe was the fact that towards the end it wasn't all that intellectually stimulating or arousing. Too much of repetition got me disheartened. New approach yes, but the freshness fizzled out.
Had he supported his views "against" social media with staunch proven facts/stats-I'd be more than a fan! Certain points mentioned here were an #EpicFail. Really.
Another very prominent point is: the author talks majorly about FB as his point of reference for Social Media. More prominence to twitter or linkein or google plus would've made this more interesting.
Social Media has a lot many advantages for those who can harness its powers. And for those who suck the life out of it, they only see the short comings. Maybe Dhiraj hasn't had good experiences on FB but he should give it a fair chance. And other social media sites too. There are successful stories floating around too!
Yes, quite a few of us are hooked on to it (for various reasons) but the smart ones do know where to draw the line. I say, newbies should give it a read. They are the ones who need to know where to stop and think about the effects of social media.
Overall, it did make for a good read for me – as it gave me a chance to notice the opinions of a social media critic.
I would recommend it to youngsters more so who still aren't very clear about the Social Media assets and short-comings. This book will reveal quite a lot to them.


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This course will explore major topics in Chinese legal history through selected readings of primary and secondary sources about substantive law, legal institutions and the supporting political-philosophical norms, as well as through the study of imperial-era legal cases and literary representations of the legal system in operation. The course will be divided into segments: A first segment will introduce some of the basic concepts, philosophical bases and institutions supporting the traditional, pre-imperial and then imperial, Chinese legal orders, and orthodox perceptions (by both Chinese and foreigners) of that legal order. The second segment will explore in more detail the actual operation of the traditional Chinese legal system, with an emphasis on the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Provisional Republican, Beiyang Government, KMT party-ruled state, and Communist pre-1949 base area systems. A third segment will analyze specific areas of historical legal order development, including public international law from the 18th century, company law, and constitutionalism in the Chinese world.
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I get it, you get it, we all get it, the NFL is trying to do more to bring awareness to concussions... Just stop harping on it 24/7 already please! Call me crazy if you want. Say I'm not sympathetic to injuries, or whatever but jeebus just give us football!
You can't turn on NFL network, ESPN, sports radio, or go online without somebody talking about it. Just talk football for more than 5 minutes straight please.
It's a violent game, always has been. I get that they want to educate players and that's fine but for God sakes it doesn't have to make the news every damn day all day!
Rant off now... Thank you.. LOL
- From BRC's Droid Bionic of Coolness


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With its mild weather, warm waters and pristine beaches, Pensacola in the fall is a idyllic escape that's only a short flight away.
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KDNL ABC 30 St. Louis provides local news, weather, sports, community events and items of interest for Missouri and Illinois communities including Ferguson, Florissant, St. Charles, St. Peters, Chesterfield, Kirkwood, Ballwin, Arnold, Crawford, Franklin, Gasconade, Iron, Jefferson, Lincoln, Phelps, Pike, Reynolds, St. Charles, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, St. Louis, Warren and Washington, Missouri and East St. Louis, Granite City, Fairview Heights, Edwardsville, Blake, Bond, Calhoun, Clay, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Randolph and Washington, Illinois.


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Dear Drumming Friend,
I know what it is like to learn the drums and I have seen the frustrations of students when they don't understand concepts. I've seen students who struggle later on with their playing because they didn't get the right start in the early stages.
You can get regular lessons from a teacher which is great - but it will COST YOU! The average drum student pays $1536 per year for lessons! And you can't even guarantee that every lessons will be worthwhile... For a very strictly limited time I'm offering you over a years worth of PREMIUM lessons for less than 4% of that. (This discount may be removed at any time without notice due to strict limits on the number of these deals I can offer.)
If you really care about learning the right way, then read a bit further about how Begin Drumming will help you reach your true drumming potential.
Yes that's correct! I'm giving you a preview of what you can expect from the Begin Drumming System. You will get 100% free access to FIVE of these unique video drum lessons.
Here's the deal... I wan't you to do me a favor... Scroll down this page and read a bit about the Begin Drumming System. Many readers see the incredible value of this deal right away and pay the riduculously small price immediately, but if you are still not convinced, you can take a closer look at the lessons.
First name
E-mail address
Just put your first name and email in the box above or at the bottom of the page, and you will immdeiately get an email from me with a link to your Free lessons. In fact - considering my 100% satisfaction guarantee - you could actually try the whole product for a whole 56 days with no risk to you at all!
My name is Jim McCarthy. Let me tell you why I am the perfect person to create this drum tuition course especially for YOU.
Well yes... I'm a professional drummer, & I regularly perform in front of big crowds and have done my fair share of big shows over the years - but many other drummers can also make that claim. There are two things that set me apart from 99% of other drummers:-
ONE: I have an enormous amount of knowledge as a teacher. I have been teaching drums for almost 20 years, and it has been my very-nearly full-time obsession for the last ten of those twenty years. The "Begin-Drumming" system in fact was originally created for my own beginning students - because I simply couldn't find any other books or systems available which covered everything required in a systematic and logical way. This system wasn't created quickly - the materials have been constantly tested, reorganized, refined and improved over these last ten years. I have dedicated myself to learning about the best teaching methods, and how YOU learn! In fact, I just did some quick sums on the calculator and worked out that I would have given over TWENTY THOUSAND lessons!
TWO: I don't want to boast, but I have done lots and lots of study - in fact I have a Masters Degree in Percussion performance. This means that I studied the art of drumming and drum technique for Six Years Full Time. This means that I did as much study as most medical practictioners.
If you wanted to learn about medicine, you wouldn't care about choosing a doctor who looked young and hip! You'd want one who knew what they were doing, and who had done the study in the appropriate area - and why should Drumming be any different?
The fact is that I know a lot about drum teaching - I've done it for twenty years, and I know that anyone is able to learn to play the drums. More importantly I know what approaches and explanations work in lessons and which ones don't. These lessons have worked for literally hundreds of my own students, and now they can work for you as well.
There are a lot of drumming courses, books and videos available, all which cover basically the same materials. There are some important differences which make my course different from all the others.
In lots of the early lessons I use a pair of sticks and a practice pad - a small "imitation drum", which allows me to focus on the main issues, the techniques of holding and moving the sticks.
This means that you can use this course straight away, even if you don't yet have a drum kit!
It's not just about hitting the drum - there are so many different types of stroke which affect the note production, and this is what separates a good drummer from an average one.
It's the Rudiments of drumming like the Paradiddles, the Flams and the Accents that make you able to not only play fast, but be able to sound great on the drums. In Begin Drumming you'll see the Rudiments notated really clearly on paper, and you'll be able to see me demonstrate them on the video.
You'll see me apply everything to the drum kit, not only through playing beats, but also the solos and rudiments as well.
In Begin Drumming you start with the techniques, then apply the techniques. You won't make the mistake of going straight to the drums then trying to sort out the techniques later.
In Begin Drumming the lesson format allows you to learn at your own pace, and refer to the individual lessons and videos as you need them.
When you go to traditional lessons you have to follow the teachers plan, and learn what the teacher might want to teach you, but with this format of lesson YOU are in control.
You can learn as much or as little as you like at once, and you can go to your drum kit and practice the skills you have just learned. When you feel you need a bit more, simply watch the next lesson!
This is so much better than traditional lessons - there is NO RULES about how fast or slow you get through the lessons, it is completely up to you!
An essential part of drumming is learning the basic beats or patterns. In Begin Drumming I have put together a unique way for you to learn exactly what you need, without making it painful for you to sit through things that you can already do.
Each of the lessons that involves learning patterns features an Audio Download Section where you can download each of the beats directly to your ipod or portable media player, at three different speeds (slow, medium or fast)
Just think about it - this is like having your teacher directly on tap when you need them! If you aren't sure how a particular beat sounds when you are practicing, simply dial it up on your computer or media player and play along with it!
This is an incredibly powerful resource - you will be able to use this resource every time you practice, so that your "library" of beats and fills will be hugely improved.
Each of these beats are Audio Recorded for 45 seconds at each speed, as well as all the solos and other exercises. This in total gives you 198 separate audio files, which you download as you need.
Of course I could have split this up into ten different products, or I could claim that each individual beat was a different "lesson", and I'm going to give you hundreds of them as extra bonuses, but I'm not going to do that.
I'll leave all the sets of steak knives out of this deal - because I know you don't need them. I'm about giving you everything you need to sound great on drums, and nothing extra to just waste your time!
To learn the amount of material that is included in Begin Drumming from a private teacher would cost you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
With Begin Drumming you get exactly what you need, and it only costs $49.95 for a twelve month membership.
Twelve months is all you need, and remember that you can download everything, so even if you don't complete all the lessons within the twelve months you will be able to download them all and complete them in your own time.
I've spent years putting together and refining this program, and I know that it works, but I understand that you might still be hesitant to see if this program can deliver what you need to learn the drums.
If you choose today to join with a full membership of Begin Drumming you can try out all the lessons and see how much you can benefit from the full program.
If you decide for whatever reason that it isn't suitable for you, and you wont benefit, then simply contact customer service at Clickbank within 8 weeks for a refund
Finally, I'm going to leave you with one piece of advice: Please make sure that you do get some help with your drum technique in the early stages.
I have seen many drummers with arm and tendon injuries, that could have been avoided, if only they had learned the correct techniques in the early stages.
This is genuine, and I know of drummers who have had to give up playing because they have tendonitis and it hurts too much to play. If they had just had a few lessons and learned to play the right way, then they could have avoided all these problems.
Begin Drumming is one way that you can get quality instruction, without having to go to lessons with a private teacher, and if you follow my guidance you too can have a very long and successful drumming future.
You owe it to yourself to learn drums Now with Begin Drumming, so what are you waiting for?
PS. This is a one-off purchase which means we won't ever charge you again for access to the same product! But don't forget that there are strictly limited numbers of memberships available at this ridiculous 96% discount price.
PPS. With Begin Drumming you can learn up to 258% faster than other online lessons, and you won't take any short cuts by missing vital steps.
PPPS. Just $49.95 is 200% to 400% cheaper than other online lessons. It's 3075% - yes - that's three thousand and seventy five percent - cheaper than having theses same lessons delivered by a teacher, and you get even better results! Learn faster and save a bundle by getting access NOW!
Begin Drumming Online Learning Course
Copyright 2007 by Jim McCarthy
CONTACT: email@example.com
MEMBERS AREA LOGIN: http://members.begindrumming.com


text: These car mats are custom made to fit the vehicle. We offer High Quality Fitted & Universal Car Mats, Van Mats, Automotive Car Carpet, Interior Car Carpet, Interior Vinyl, Acoustic Cloth, Seat Belt Harness Pads and much more. All our car mats are made to order and manufactured on site. This service ensures we can deliver to your door within 3 working days even with personalisation.


text:
The Grails tutorial I read said provided instructions for changing the default server port from 8080 to some other value, so that you would not need to specify an alternate server port every time you run-app. It said that you should open $GRAILS_HOME/scripts/Init.groovy and look for a line setting the value of serverPort.
The problem is that this tutorial was written in 2008, and while you wouldn't think that much would have changed since then, apparently the Grails config files have been refactored. Init.groovy now appears to be a much higher-level file, and serverPort isn't specified in it.
After searching the Grails directory, I found out that the new file to edit is $GRAILS_HOME/scripts/_GrailsSettings.groovy. Open it and look for the following line:
serverPort = getPropertyValue("server.port", 8080).toInteger()
I believe the getPropertyValue method checks properties sent in via the command line or configured in some other way. If it's not set, though, it uses the second parameter as the default value. Change it from 8080 to some other port, like 9090, and the next time you run-app you'll be running on the new port instead


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It seems like Ubisoft is pushing these out every week!
Experience the brash, brutal, and adventurous life of pirates in Assassins Creed 4 Black Flag. Take part in the incredible story of Captain Edward Kenway, a pirate trained by assassins, and establish a lawless republic in The Caribbean while searching for gold and glory with the help of history's most infamous pirates including Blackbeard, Charles Vane, Calico Jack, and Anne Bonny.
Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag is out October 29 in North America


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Who is reading me locally? I have linked to MomsMichiana.com, so I imagine I have some local folks reading. I ask because the front page of the family section of the South Bend Tribune (SBT) tackled the local angle of a topic I wrote about back in February, and while I've been remiss in fulfilling my promise to write about executive function and inhibitory control, I still promise to do so.
Until then, in the SBT article, Howard Dukes discovered local preschool programs working on executive function development, but the title of the program's different from Tools of the Mind. I don't know how related they are or what adaptations have been made, and maybe they're exactly the same, but "plan, do, review" looks awfully similar. Dukes cites Adele Diamond, an important child development researcher today, who was cited in the Tools of the Mind story featured in February on National Public Radio.
"Plan, do, review" comes from High Scope Educational Research Foundation. You now have two similar curriculums and you know them by name, so when you're looking for preschools with effective conflict resolution programs and they cite "plan, do, review" or Tools of the Mind, then you can be confident the curriculum is attempting to address a child's executive function and inhibitory control development.
Whether you be local or international, I hope I'm helping you out here. Don't be shy. Leave a comment, and if you've got some advice, we'd love to hear it.
Tags: "plan do review", Adele Diamond, executive function, High Scope Educational Research Foundation, Howard Dukes, inhibitory control, momsmichiana.com, NPR, preschool bullies, preschool bully, preschool conflict resolution, preschool curriculum, south bend tribune, Tools of the Mind


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When "Goodnight for Justice" premiered on the Hallmark Movie Channel in January 2011, it became the network's highest-rated film ever. "Goodnight" star, series creator and executive producer Luke Perry returns as Circuit Court Justice John Goodnight for the second part of the intended trilogy, which premieres on the Hallmark Channel Saturday, Jan. 28 at 8/7c. "Goodnight for Justice: The Measure of a Man" follows Justice Goodnight as he travels alone through the Wild West dispensing justice to towns that would otherwise stumble into chaos. On this particular journey, John finds himself facing a woman from his past, Callie Bluepoint (played by Stefanie von Pfetten), who lives in a town threatened by a murderous outlaw, Deke Spradling (Teach Grant).
Daytime Dial: When you learned that the original "Goodnight for Justice" broke records for the Hallmark Movie Channel, what were your hopes for the future of the "Goodnight" franchise?
Luke Perry: I was hoping maybe to get the chance to do another one. That's what I was hoping. I just don't go into it with any expectation other than I just try to make the best movie every time. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes there's a baseball game or basketball game or something on that draws all the television audience away. There are just too many variables to worry about and that kind of stuff, so you just make the movies that you can.
DD: Because of the success of the previous film, did you feel the pressure to really deliver with "Measure of a Man"?
LP: I felt pressure to deliver a really good movie. I feel the pressure to do all I can to promote the film, but I've been doing this long enough to know that audiences are fickle and different things happen. You just try to make the best movie you can and control what you can, which is your part of the process.
DD: Last we saw John Goodnight, he had a lady friend, Kate Ramsey, who isn't in this movie. I assume the traveling required of him for his job makes maintaining relationships pretty difficult.
LP: Yeah, it's just the nature of the position — you have to travel. She wasn't in a position to go with him, and he's got to keep traveling. But it would be great for him to get back to her eventually.
DD: When we first see John, there is definite evidence being on the road is wearing on him: His hair is shaggier; his clothes are a bit shabby …
LP: I'm glad you liked that and noticed that, because those are the kind of things — believe it or not — that you have to fight for. People were like: "No, clean up. Look good in the clothes." I said: "Wait a minute, guys. He's out there weeks at a time; it's just not going to happen. You gotta look rough." And I do look rough.
DD: Since there are few ties to the original film aside from some explained back story, "Measure of a Man" really can be viewed as a stand-alone movie as well as part of a series. Was that your intention?
LP: I hadn't thought about that. That's a very interesting point that you make. One of the things that I had discussed was that with each movie and the nature of the franchise is that each one is going to be a different story. He's going to be in a different place, always traveling, so within the telling of the actual story, you don't have to cover [what he's been doing between movies]. The next movie that you will see is the one where it all comes full circle. I feel like we really hit our stride completely. "Measure of a Man" is the perfect segue between the two. It all ramps up, and by the third one we just all go in gangbusters.
DD: I also have to tell you that from the opening frames of the movie, the musical score really caught my attention — it's just beautiful.
LP: I'm glad you mentioned that, and I would really like to take the time to talk about Graeme Coleman, our composer. He's just such a talented guy. I told him: "Graeme, go for it. Give me that big Western stuff." I want the music to be as much a character in this movie as anything else, because in all my favorite ones it is. And he doesn't shy away from it. He steps right up to it. People who love traditional Westerners are looking for a good score. I'm very proud of Graeme's work.
DD: You have a lot of scenes with Cameron Bright (of "The Twilight Saga"), who plays Will. Did you spend a lot of time together off set to build up camaraderie and chemistry?
LP: Oh, yeah. We had dinner together almost every night. I spent a lot of time with Cameron, and he was cool because he came in and put some time in — as much as he could — before the movie, getting to learn stuff he didn't know how to do. If you don't know how to ride a horse, don't say you do. He didn't do that. He was really honest about what he could do, but he was also really honest about being willing to learn, and he had a good capacity for it, so it was cool.
As we were shooting, I'd think, "Let's just see how much of this we can get shot today, and Cameron was really great. He stayed in that saddle a lot longer than a lot of other people would. He hung in there, and we climbed him up there in those mountains, and he was great.
DD: Cameron plays Alec in the phenomenally successful "Twilight Saga," which has a screaming-fan contingent wherever the stars seem to go. You've had to deal with your share of screaming teens; did you give him any advice?
LP: (Laughs) I wouldn't know anything about that sort of thing.
DD: This time around, John has really found his niche and is in his element. What does he enjoy about his job and his life?
LP: Anytime you have to kill someone, even in the name of the law, it is no small feat. It's not something this character does lightly. I think it's really rewarding for him because you can see how the law can really be the great leveler in protecting the weakest among us, and that's what it's supposed to do. What I think is interesting about him also is he's an active participant in this world by traveling through for his job.
DD: You mentioned a third "Goodnight" film. Can you give me any details?
LP: Well, we shot the third one. We started shooting it the day after we finished the second one. The third one is, it's not as heavy a story. I said they can't all live in a super highly dramatic state. Sometimes this guy is just out there, and there is still some justice that needs to be weeded out, but it doesn't always come down to a life-or-death thing, and it doesn't always come down to something intensely personal for him. Some of my favorite Westerns were a little bit lighter in tone, and there's some good run and jump in the next one.
DD: Is the third film the end of the John Goodnight saga, or can we expect a new chapter?
LP: We are actively negotiating the future for this character, because so far it's something that has worked out well for everybody. I like making them, and they do very well for the channel, so if that continues, then we will continue.
DD: You could be like Tom Selleck with his "Jesse Stone" movies …
LP: Aw, man — compare me to Tom Selleck. Yeah, I wish. He's so great. I'd love to do a Western with him.


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The changes involve the reform of current permitting laws under which any project over 50MW installed capacity is decided at national level. This will allow local communities to have a say in all developments in their area.
With permitting of onshore wind farms England having already halved since the current coalition government has been in power, Ecotricity founder Dale Vince described the latest changes as evidence of the "least green UK government ever".
Vince told Windpower Monthly that he agreed with trade body RenewableUK's claims that the government's recommendation for developers to raise the level of incentive payments made to local communities from £1,000 (EUR 1,200) to £5,000 a year for every megawatt installed for the life of a project would make some future projects "unviable".
He added that while presented as a mere recommendation, developers faced little prospect of having their projects approved if they failed to offer the full incentive payment.
"The £5,000 is supposedly voluntary, but with the current £1,000 when you get to planning they want to know "will you be adhering to the code", and if not you will be marked down on your application," said Vince.
"So though voluntary, it will be obligatory in practical terms. With these changes you will have fewer projects getting through planning and those that do face paying large incentives to locals which could threaten their financial viability."
However, RES development director Rachel Ruffle argued that any projects threatened financially by the incentive changes, which only apply to new projects, "would have to be pretty marginal in the first place".
Ruffle said the greater community engagement in the permitting process and increased incentive payments that will result from the changes, due to be implemented by the end of the year, were a price the industry had to be willing to pay if it wanted a long term future.
"If you want a sustainable business, you want communities to welcome them and receive some benefit," said Ruffle.
"In the long term will be industry's benefit. These projects will be felt to be part of the community."
Ruffle added that most "reputable" developers already commit much more than the currently recommended £1,000 per megawatt, with RES itself already offering the full £5,000. This is split between £2,000 for community facilities and £3,000 towards cutting customers' fuel bills.
Indeed, RES's Meikle Carewe wind farm near Aberdeen, was cited as an example of best practice by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (Decc) in its announcment of the changes for offering local residents £122 off their annual electricity bills.
However, Vince argued that such high levels of incentive are possible in Scotland, where there is a better wind resource, and should not be forced on developers in England.
"I have heard it being done in Scotland, but you get twice the amount of energy per megawatt there, so it is affordable. But down in England there's less – it should be horses for courses."


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This tasty, unique salad combines pasta with the flavors of the Mediterranean.
Preparation Time: 20 mins
Cooking Time: 10 mins
Yield: 8 x approx. 1-1/2 cup servings
PASTA: Cook pasta. Drain; cool pasta.
In a large serving bowl, combine pasta, snow peas, tomatoes, and tuna.
POPPY SEED DRESSING: Place yogurt, lemon juice, rosemary, basil, mustard, poppy seeds, and parsley in a screw-top jar and shake until well combined. Pour over salad and toss.


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WASHINGTON, June 14 (UPI) -- The International Monetary Fund said Friday that the U.S. economic recovery "remained tepid," and that it was too early to roll back stimulus measures.
But the IMF suggested growth could be accelerated with a more gradual pace of fiscal consolidation.
"There are signs the U.S. recovery is gaining ground and becoming more durable. The IMF's advice is to slow down, but hurry up, meaning slow the fiscal adjustment this year, which would help sustain growth and job creation, but hurry up with putting in place a medium-term road map to restore long-term financial sustainability," said Christine Lagarde, IMF managing director said.
The IMF dropped its forecast for economic growth for the year to 1.9 percent following 2.2 percent growth in 2012. For 2014, the U.S. economy is expected to grow 2.7 percent.
The organization previously forecast 3 percent growth for 2014, but said sequestration budget cuts would slow the recovery down.
"The U.S. recovery has remained tepid over the past year, but underlying fundamentals have been gradually improving," the IMF said in an annual assessment of the U.S. economy.
The IMF also said that its growth projects were based on a few assumptions, including a reduction in the government deficit by 2.5 percent in 2013, which would subtract "between 1.25 to 1.75 percentage points from growth."
The IMF also assumed that the next debate over the debt ceiling would not be disruptive to the economy and that the U.S. Federal Reserve would continue with its $85 billion per month asset purchasing program.
The IMF said the unemployment rate would likely hover close to 7.5 percent this year with "employment growth projected to pick up late this year and in 2014, fostered by an acceleration of output growth."
The IMF warned that government spending cuts and higher taxes at the same time "might prove to be a stronger headwind to consumer demand over the next few quarters."
That would result in a slower economy, which would slow down employment growth, the IMF said.
Laying out the ingredients for a stronger recovery, the IMF said that its staff recommended "repealing the sequester and adopting a more balanced and gradual pace of fiscal consolidation in the short term."
The IMF also recommended "expeditiously raising the debt ceiling to avoid a severe shock to the U.S. and the global economy;" and making long-term preparations for unwinding the highly accommodating monetary strategies now in place.


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"I have always found revisiting my novels painful work," wrote Larry McMurtry in the Foreword to a collection of his essays, "and the novels, after all, are the marriages and great loves of one's imagination. In comparison, the columns and articles which follow are quick tricks and one-night stands, the offspring of opportunity rather than passion."
If an essay is a one-night stand, then a blog post must be something quite ephemeral and tawdry indeed. Perhaps it's a drunken French kiss in a back alley, if we were to extend McMurtry's metaphor.
Such an insubstantial format probably doesn't merit much of importance, which is why it seems fitting that my most-visited post of 2010 wasn't one of my lengthy meditations on the nature of historical memory, nor one of my carefully composed site reviews, nor one of my periodic reflections on the historiographical state of a given subject.
No, the post that got the most traffic (by far) in 2010 was an irritable rant on Glenn Beck and the Bat Creek Stone. In fact, I continue to get irate comments on that post from readers who take my skepticism toward an obscure Tennessee artifact very, very personally.
Oh, well. I suppose that if you're going to go Googling for historical information, it's best that you do it for something like spurious archaeological finds rather than more substantial topics like the origins of the American Revolution. For the latter, you're better off reading a book, anyway.
I wish all my readers, both frequent and occasional, a happy and prosperous 2011. I hope you'll continue to make this blog one of your regular online stops, no matter what brings you here, and whether you agree with these unsolicited observations about history or not.


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BMW 4 Series Convertible | 420d [190] Sport 2dr [Business Media]
BMW 4 Series Convertible Overview
I would like all maintenance and service costs included
Initial Rental (Personal)
£4,313.30 inc VAT
Initial Rental (Business)
£3,594.42 ex VAT
Contract Length
48 Months
Processing fee
£199.99 ex VAT
Standard Options
- Electric front windows with fingertip open/close anti-trap facility
- Green tinted heat protection glazing
- Heated windscreen washer jets
- Rain sensor including auto headlights activation
- Two speed adjustable intervals windscreen wipers
- Windscreen with grey shadeband
- Anti lock braking system (ABS) with brake assist
- Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
- Brake drying
- Brake energy regeneration
- CBC - (Cornering brake control)
- Dynamic brake control
- Dynamic stability control (DSC )
- Dynamic Traction Control - DTC
- Front and rear ventilated brake disc
- Hill start assistant
- Variable torque distribution
- Velour floor mats
- Aluminium front suspension
- Drive performance control with ECO PRO comfort sport mode
- Five link rear suspension
- Bluetooth hands free facility with USB audio interface with bluetooth audio streaming
- BMW remote services
- Cruise control with brake function
- Electric Power Steering (EPS) with Servotronic
- Front/rear park distance control (PDC)
- Auto start-stop
- Boot lid lock with soft close function
- BMW emergency call
- BMW Online services
- BMW Teleservices
- Brake pad wear indicator in front and rear
- Check Control warning system for monitoring of lights and door/luggage compartment open warning
- Control display - 6.5" colour display screen
- iDrive Controller with 8 favourite buttons
- Instrument cluster with speedometer with mph readout, tachometer, fuel gauge and oil temperature gauge
- Lights on warning by audio warning signal when ignition is switched off
- Oil sensor for level and grade, warning by check control system
- On board computer - average speed, fuel consumption, outside temp display with acoustic warning, clock/date, service interval, odometer/trip meter
- Optimum shift indicator
- Personal Profile - automatic lock when driving away selectable
- Run flat indicator
- Auto dimming rear view mirror
- Body colour mirror caps
- Direction indicator, side repeaters, integrated in exterior mirrors
- Heated, electrically adjustable exterior mirror aspheric on driver side, convex on passenger side
- High gloss black interior trim with pearl chrome highlight trim finishers
- Sport instrument cluster with red highlight and chrono scale
- Diesel particulate filter
- Lightweight engineering
- BMW Professional radio with Single CD player two-way six speakers 4x25W loudspeaker system MP3 playback capability
- DAB tuner
- Body colour door handles
- Body colour front bumper
- Body colour rear bumper
- Body colour roof mouldings
- Chrome kidney grille with extra wide black, high gloss black vertical slats
- Dual, round and left exhaust tailpipes with dark chrome finisher
- Front air inlet with high gloss black finish
- Front and rear bumper system
- High gloss black rear bumper insert
- Matt aluminium air breather
- Matt aluminium exterior trim
- Metal front door sill finishers with neutral BMW designation
- Model designation
- Retractable hard top
- Shark fin antenna
- Solid paint
- Trim designation deletion on front side panels of sport trim badge
- Visible VIN plate
- Dynamic brake lights
- Follow me home headlights
- High level third brake light
- LED daytime running lights
- LED direction indicator lenses
- LED eyebrow light
- LED front fog lights
- LED tail lights with 3D L-shaped LED light design
- Low and high beam LED headlights
- Automatic air conditioning with two zone control
- 12V sockets in front centre console and passenger footwell
- 3 spoke leather multifunction sports steering wheel with red stitching
- Air conditioning and radio control panel in high gloss black
- Bottle holders integrated into front door trim storage compartments
- Chrome centre console panel highlight
- Dakota leather upholstery
- Front and rear side armrests integrated into door trim
- Front folding sliding armrest with storage compartment
- Glove compartment
- Load lashing eyes in luggage compartment
- Loading aid luggage compartment when hard top is retracted
- Reach rake manual adjustable steering column
- Rear centre armrest
- Rear coded belt buckles
- Storage compartment behind rear seat backrest
- Storage compartment in centre rear seat base
- Toolkit located in luggage compartment
- Two front cup holders with a sliding lid
- Ambient lighting - switchable BMW classic orange/ cold white LED
- Interior lighting, front centre over interior mirror and rear centre automatic interior light activation when door is opened
- Welcome lighting
- Extended lighting package - 4 Series
- Media pack - Business - 4 Series
- Non Smokers pack
- 3 point seatbelts on all seats
- Airbag - Front driver and passenger, front and rear head, front side, curtain head protection, manual deactivation of front passenger airbag possible
- Battery safety cut-off
- Brake pretensioning
- Crash sensor activating central locking release, hazard warning lights
- Front seatbelt force limiters
- Pyrotechnically pre-tensioned front seatbelts
- Roll over protection
- Seat belt security check for driver
- Side impact protection
- Twin horns
- Tyre pressure monitoring with three level warning strategy
- Warning triangle and first aid kit
- 2 Rear seat headrests
- Driver and front passenger seat heating
- Electric front seat adjustment with driver memory
- Front head restraints
- Front sports seats
- Rear child seat isofix attachment with passenger airbag deactivation
- Alarm system (Thatcham 1) with electronic engine immobiliser
- Central locking switch for all doors, fuel filler cap and luggage compartment
- Remote control integrated key with red inset
- Start/stop button with Comfort Go keyless engine start and auto Start/stop deactivation button
- 6 speed manual transmission
- Electronic differential lock
- Sunvisors with vanity mirrors and ticket pocket
- Reduced rolling resistance tyres
- Run flat tyres
- 18" Double spoke light alloy wheels in bicolour orbit grey - style 397
Technical Options
- HC+NOx: 0.048
- Noise Level dB(A): 75
- NOx: 0.038
- Particles: 0.0001
- Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
- Bore: 84
- Catalytic Convertor: True
- Compression Ratio: 16.5:1
- Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
- Cylinders: 4
- Engine Codes: B47D20O0
- Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH
- Fuel Type: COMMON RAIL
- Gears: 6 SPEED
- Number of Valves: 16
- Stroke: 90
- Valve gear: DOHC
- EC: True
- EC Combined: 56.5
- EC Extra Urban: 60.1
- EC Urban: 51.4
- WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - Max: 7.5
- WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - Min: 6.4
- WLTP - MPG - Comb: 5.7
- WLTP - MPG - Comb - Max: 6.4
- WLTP - MPG - Comb - Min: 6.3
- WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 7
- WLTP - MPG - Extra High - Max: 7.8
- WLTP - MPG - Extra High - Min: 6.1
- WLTP - MPG - High: 6.6
- WLTP - MPG - High - Max: 5.5
- WLTP - MPG - High - Min: 5.8
- WLTP - MPG - Low: 6.2
- WLTP - MPG - Low - Max: 6.5
- WLTP - MPG - Low - Min: 6.1
- WLTP - MPG - Medium: 6.4
- Any aspect of the vehicles safety cause concern?: Data Not Available
- Based On ID: N
- Coin Description: d [190]
- Coin Series: Sport [Bus Media]
- Man Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 6
- Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3
- NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N
- NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N
- NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 190
- NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 2.0
- NCAP Safety Assist %: M1
- Service Interval Frequency - Months: N
- Special Edition: Data Not Available
- Special Order: Data Not Available
- Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999
- Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
- This vehicle is classed as a car for VED purposes: 24
- Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N
- Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N
- 0 to 60: Data Not Available
- 0 to 62: 8.2
- Engine Power KW: 140
- Engine Power RPM: 4000
- Engine Torque LBS.FT: 295
- Engine Torque MKG: 40.8
- Engine Torque NM: 400
- Engine Torque RPM: 1750
- PS: True
- Top Speed: 146
- Alloys?: True
- Space Saver?: Data Not Available
- Tyre Size Front: 225/45 R18
- Tyre Size Rear: 225/45 R18
- Tyre Size Spare: RUN FLAT TYRES
- Wheel Style: DOUBLE SPOKE STYLE 397
- Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY
- Height: 1384
- Height (including roof rails): N
- Length: 4640
- Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.3
- Wheelbase: 2810
- Width (excluding mirrors): 1825
- Width (including mirrors): 2017
- Boot Capacity Saloons: 220
- Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 57
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 2215
- Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 370
- Max. Roof Load: N
- Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1800
- Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 745
- Minimum Kerbweight: 1750
- No. of Seats: 4
- Payload: 465
BMW 4 Series Convertible OPEN FOUR BUSINESS (77/100)
The BMW 4 Series Convertible continues to provide executive segment buyers with folding hard top option in the cabriolet class and offers smarter looks in this improved form. Jonathan Crouch reports.
Ten Second Review
BMW's improved 4 Series Convertible perseveres with a neat metal-folding roof that offers a different option to executive segment cabriolet buyers not already swayed by the competing charms of rival open-topped versions of the Audi A5 and Mercedes C-Class. You won't get the large boot and cutting-edge driving dynamics of the 4 Series Coupe, but compensations come in the form of refinement, security and drop-top desirability. In short, you'd like one.
It's the thing that makes a BMW handle like a BMW should. I'm talking of the brand's famous 50:50 weight distribution. That's something the Munich marque makes possible by the almost unique rear wheel drive configuration it applies to most of its models but with this car, puts at risk than with any other design in its line-up. Welcome to the 4 Series Convertible. The reason for that is also the main reason why you might buy this car - its metal folding roof. Alone in the executive convertible segment, BMW continues with this arrangement, rather than the soft-top fabric roof mechanisms rivals Audi and Mercedes use. It's a unique touch that'll tempt people liking the security, refinement and pavement wow factor of a folding metal top. But the system weighs a quarter of a tonne and needs complex, heavy mechanicals that must be very carefully positioned to maintain that perfect weight distribution I mentioned at the beginning. Does it make sense in this smarter, lightly facelifted 4 Series Convertible? Let's find out.
Driving Experience
Is the average BMW 4 Series Convertible customer going to approach this car wanting to sling it around a bit? Provided the variant in question isn't the hot rod M4 version, I suspect not. Still, if you do like your driving, you'll be interested to hear that dynamic changes made across the range mean stiffer suspension and an upgraded steering set-up. These measures have resulted in a tangible improvement in both lateral and longitudinal handling properties, regardless of the load on board. The upshot is reduced roll, more neutral responses when driving at the limit, even greater straight-line stability and the wonderfully precise steering for which BMW is renowned. This applies to the standard suspension, as well as the M Sport suspension and Adaptive suspension. On to engines. Diesel-wise, this means a choice of three units, starting with the 190bhp unit found in the 420d. Above that come the six cylinder diesel models, the 258bhp 430d and the 435d diesel range-topper with a hefty 313bhp at its disposal. Petrol people get a 2.0-litre unit developing 184bhp in the 420i and 252bhp in the 430i. Above that sit two six cylinder derivatives, the 326bhp 440i and the 431bhp M4 performance model. The xDrive 4WD system is an option on 420i, 420d and 430d variants and standard on the 435d. But I haven't yet talked about the roof. If the sun comes out or the heavens open, it's nice that you don't now have to stop at the side of the road to either retract or erect it, though you do have to slow to a speed of below 8mph for the 20 seconds the three metal panels take to assume their necessary positions. When the top is up, the refinement you get is indistinguishable from that you'd expect to find in the 4 Series Coupe model, thanks to a number of design improvements made to this Convertible version. These include a sound-absorbing headliner that reduces wind noise by up to 2dB.
Design and Build
BMW alone persists with the metal-folding roof concept in this segment, so if you prefer this 4 Series Convertible to either of its two direct rivals, Cabriolet versions of the Audi A5 and Mercedes C-Class, that's likely to be the major reason why. The changes made to this revised model are really quite subtle. If you know the car well, you'll spot the new twin LED headlights that now come as standard. Another frontal change is found in the central air intake which has an aperture that increases in size towards the outer edges, adding a more imposing presence and greater sense of width to the entire nose section. Otherwise, the recipe is as it was before. Having to create a pretty shape that effortlessly swallowed all the roof-work's sliding metal panels must be quite a design challenge but here, that's been expertly carried off, helped by the fact that like all the most modern folding hardtops, the BMW system - which takes 20 seconds to operate and can function at speeds of up to 8mph - uses three rather than two-pieces. The advantage of this is that you don't need a distended rear end on the car to accommodate the larger sections of a two-piece roof. The downside of stacking three rather than two pieces on top of each other in the boot is that when they're all folded and sandwiched together here, there's not a great deal of luggage space left. With the roof up, you'll get 370-litres of cargo capacity. But fold it down and that figure falls to just 220-litres. And the rear seats? Well, getting to them isn't the easiest task in the world and once you're seated, there's just about enough room for two adults on shorter trips. At the wheel, there's a low-set driving position and a grippy three-spoke sports steering wheel. Optional on this car is the Air Collar, a concept first pioneered by Mercedes, with vents below the head restraints that can massage your neck with comforting warm air on cold mornings. Otherwise, everything is as it would be in a 4 Series Coupe.
Market and Model
Expect to pay somewhere between £38,000 to £50,000 bracket for mainstream 4 Series Convertible models - though you could pay over £60,000 if you want to consider the desirable M4 flagship variant. If you're comparing against an equivalent 4 Series Coupe with the same engine, that means a drop-top premium of between £4,000 and £5,000, depending on the variant you're looking at. Most customers will be browsing at the bottom of the range where both the 420i and 420d models put out 184bhp and 190bhp respectively but if you choose the diesel version, there's a premium of around £2,500 to find over its petrol equivalent. With all the four cylinder models, you're also looking at about £1,500 more if you want to specify 8-speed automatic transmission many will want. That's standard on the 440i petrol and six cylinder diesel models but then, for the kind of prices these variants command, it probably should be. Equipment includes the power-folding roof of course, plus all variants get the iDrive infotainment system with its 6.5-inch colour screen, automatic xenon headlights with heated washers, front foglights, smart alloy wheels of at least 17-inches in size shod with run-flat tyres, heated door mirrors, an alarm, Park Distance control at the front and the back, rain sensing wipers and a Hill-start Assistant to stop you from drifting backwards on uphill junctions. Inside, there's leather for both the heated electric front seats and the multifunction three-spoke Sports steering wheel, dual zone air conditioning, cruise control, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, a trip computer, Bluetooth 'phone compatibility and a decent quality six-speaker 'BMW Professional' stereo system with a digital radio with USB and Aux-in points. You also get the Drive Performance Control set-up that enables you to tweak steering and throttle response to your mood - though you can get a bit more from that system if you pay extra for the Adaptive suspension.
Cost of Ownership
Can this really be seen as an efficient car? After all, it carries around a very inefficiently heavy roof mechanism. A BMW 320d saloon weighs 1,495kg: the 420d Convertible weighs 1,755kgs. Those are the facts - and they go much of the way towards explaining why metal folding roofs have fallen from favour the in current, efficiency-obsessed automotive design. Having said all of that, the Munich maker is keen to point out just how much effort has gone into minimising the downsides of this approach with this car. The result of a whole range of EfficientDynamics tweaks is that BMW has kept the running cost penalty of opting a 4 Series Convertible over a 4 Series Coupe to around 10%. The manual gearbox 420d Convertible manages 55.4mpg on the combined cycle and 134g/km of CO2 in manual form. As for pokier 4 Series Convertible diesels, the 430d manages 51.4mpg and 144g/km. Even the top automatic-only 435d xDrive model with its standard 4WD system gives you 47.9mpg and 155g/km. On to petrol power. A 420i Convertible manages 42.8mpg on the combined cycle and 153g/km of CO2 in manual form. With the 430i, you can expect 40.4mpg and 162g/km in manual guise. On that basis, it's hard to justify the six cylinder 440i variant. It goes hardly any faster than a 430i, yet costs far more to run, delivering 39.2mpg and 167g/km. That only leaves the flagship version of this car, the potent 431bhp M4 variant. In its most efficient automatic form, this car can manage 32.5mpg and 203g/km.
Would this car be a more engaging driving machine without its weighty roof mechanicals? The extra sharpness of its 4 Series Coupe stablemate certainly suggests that. I sense though, that most buyers of this open-topped version will be quite happy with a more relaxed, comfortable demeanour. That is, after all, as much as competitors from Audi and Mercedes offer - and those brands can't deliver the engine choice BMW provides here. In fact, a lot of boxes are ticked by this car if you can afford its asking price. You get impressive safety systems, high residual values, above average rear seat legroom and a sheer depth of engineering that rarely fails to impress. As a result, in many ways, it could be seen as the most complete contender in this segment and, best of all, it looks as striking and expensive as a convertible of this kind should when the sun's out and all is right with the world.
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Welcome to the new and improved Pixel Scrapper! I can't tell you how excited I am to finally invite you to join me in this new and improved space.
Ever since I switched from paper to digital scrapbooking, about 3 years ago, I've been dreaming about a site that combines a community experience with easy access to all the wonderful digital scrapbooking products and information out there, with simple and straightforward licensing. My background in web design gave me lots of ideas when I was browsing around in the early days trying to figure out what this thing called "digital scrapbooking" was. There were so many talented people trying to answer that question, but I was often frustrated by my inability to find them, with everyone seemingly lurking in their own special corner of the web, hoping that I might stumble upon them.
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I've got big plans for Pixel Scrapper: what you're seeing now is only the barest skeleton of my dream. If you used the old site a lot, this one probably won't strike you as terribly different, but it's been rebuilt under the hood, which will allow it to change and grow into the future. The main differences as of now are:
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I don't want this welcome to go too long, as I'll stop there for now. I'll be posting about my future plans for the site right here in these forums, so stay tuned. For now, set up a profile, download some designs, try out a tutorial, browse through the layout gallery, introduce yourself in these forums, and make yourself at home! If you have any feedback, please post it here.
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