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Best of the carryovers: Plymouth for 1964
It was a carryover year, one more year to make do with the disaster of Sixty-Two. Second year restyle jobs have the general distinction of being just that: second best. A third year rehash would seem to be a sure ticket to automotive oblivion. Sometimes it was. But there are obvious exceptions: the '57 Chevy, the '40 Ford. . . and the 1964 Plymouth.
The 1962 Plymouth (much like modern art, acclaimed by the critics but soundly rejected by the public) was a primary reason for Virgil Exner's quick exit from Chrysler styling. Coming in to straighten things out, with a literal vengeance, was Elwood Engel of 1961 Continental fame. Under Engel's tutelage, all Exner's beloved eccentricities were dumped in favor of straight lines and square corners. A rush job was done on the 1963 restyle, bringing in almost all-new sheetmetal for the third time in as many years. (Was the 1963 what was to have been the all-new 1964, pressed into production a year early?)
It worked. The 1963 Plymouth was much better received by the public. The prominent outboard parking lights were perhaps a bit strange to some, but the buyers liked them much better than the huge round headlight bezels of the previous year. The only holdover features were the upward-rising cowl, the pointed windshield, and the trepzoidal instrument panel (the cowl is one of the most expensive areas to engineer). That was the 1962 Plymouth, the second time around.
The third time around was the 1964 model. It carried sheet metal identical to the 1963 from the doors back, except for a wider rear to hold a 2" wider axle. But this time nothing remained visible of the ill-fated 1962. The cowl was now conventional, as was the windshield, and the dash was simplified to the point of plainness. Still, it held a certain charm. With its round gauges all in a row, it was somehow reminiscent of the Plymouth dash of 1949. The gorgeous wood grain was not there, replaced by chromed, fluted plastic, but the appeal was.
It was the front end that really made the '64 the best of all "carryovers". It was "Chevy-like," said many of the magazine writers. There was, admittedly, perhaps a hint of the '62 Chevrolet, along with a touch of the '63, in the new grille. But Plymouth's grille was defmitely of a much cleaner design than either Chevy design. A multi-segmented grille with quad headlights floating in an open cavity creased horizontally two-thirds of the way up, was very eye catching. (Never mind that the corresponding fender points would fall victim to many later-year park-by-braille specialists.) It was a clean design, a very clean design. The cleanest-designed Plymouth since. . . 1955? . . . 1949? . . . 1934? One person's opinion is as good as another's.
Also bowing in that year was a new set of roof panels, again the third new design in as many years. The sedans continued with the "Thunderbird-style" C-pillars, but now without the upper lip over the rear window. Also new was a definite crease running front-to-back above the side windows which created a bit more headroom. The biggest news, roof wise, however, belonged to the two-door hardtop. Distinctive triangular pillars with a convertible top crease (the current fashion) and a curved backlight gave the whole car a much more streamlined appearance. And it actually did translate into more speed on the NASCAR speedways. (More on that later.)
1964 Plymouth Model Lineup
Along with the standard-sized models was the compact Valiant, discussed in its own section on this page.
The standard-sized model lineup was, like much of the car, a carryover from the previous two years: Savoy, Belvedere, Fury, Sport Fury. Trim, likewise, went from light to heavy.
Plymouth was one year away from learning the "less-is-better" lesson on trim taught by the '62 Grand Prix. One magazine writer actually claimed that the plain-jane Savoy with unadorned sides was better looking than the expensive Fury with too-heavy trim which seemed to fight rather than compliment its finely sculpted sheet metal. There was some truth to that claim, though the Savoy, with no chrome around the windows, was perhaps a bit too plain. Plymouth thought so too, attaching an abbreviated spear to the Savoy, mid-year. Possibly most appealing to the eye was the mid-range Belvedere, especially in two-door hardtop form. A thin "shepherd's crook" side trim followed precisely the sheetmetal creases to which it brought just the right compliment. And out back, the Belvedere continued the clean appearance with simple single-lens taillights in contrast to the Fury's busy double-segmented taillights and fake rear grille.
The Belvedere Six was $55 more than a Classic 770, and a Savoy Six was $22 more than a Classic 660, but the Belvedere came standard with a carpeted floor, with leather-grained door trim that went up to the window, unlike Rambler's painted moulding; the Plymouth was 206.5 inches long, the Rambler 190 inches. Plymouth was 4.3 inches wider, as well, with more legroom, headroom, and hiproom, seating six passengers. Plymouth's trunk held 17.3 cubic feet of luggage, compared with Rambler's 13.7 cubic feet. The larger size and torsion-bar suspension provided a smoother ride than the Rambler Classic and Ambassador, which used a coil-spring front suspension.
The Fury V8 two-door hardtop listed at $32 less than the Rambler Ambassador V8. Rambler had no convertibles or four-door hardtop in Classic and Ambassador series, but Plymouth had them in the Fury line.
1964 Plymouth engines
Under the hood, the widest array yet of Plymouth engines was available. It was a long way from the time just ten years earlier when you could have any engine you wanted as long as it was a flathead six! Base engine (other than Valiant) was the 225 Slant Six, already in its fifth season of proving itself a tireless performer. Another workhorse, the famed 318, was the base V8. It was followed by the B-block engines: 361, 383, and new for this year, a "street" 426 wedge. The latter had made a great name for itself on the drag strips in 1963 as an out-and- out racing engine, setting eight NHRA records. Now it could be had in a state detuned just enough to drive on the streets, but not enough for anyone else to beat. For the drag racer, two more 426 wedge engines were available. Fed by dual four barrel carbs on a short cross ram manifold and relieved by newly designed "snakepit" Tri-Y cast iron headers, one of these Stage III Max Wedges produced 415 horsepower with a compression ratio of 11:1, the other put out a full 425 hp with a 12.5: 1 compression ratio. The latter option included hood scoop equipped aluminum front sheetmetal that knocked off 150 pounds from the car's weight. But that's not all! One more engine would find its way under Plymouth's 1964 hood, an engine that would become a legend. The Hemi!
Rambler's American did very well in the Mobilgas runs, but the Plymouth Six won in its class, while Ambassador didn't run after finishing last in 1962. Plymouth could boast better results than Rambler for larger cars.
Plymouth had entered the world of four-speed transmission in 1963 with a Borg-Warner unit. This year they had their own Chrysler-built 4-speed, topped with a Hurst shifter. The other transmission option remained the unbeatable Torqueflite three-speed automatic, in its last year of pushbutton control. In fact, the pushbuttons were already on the way out. In the top-of-the-line Sport Fury, there was a new console that held a lever shifter ("selector", to be exact) for the Torqueflite equipped cars. (Other unique Sport Fury appointments included bucket seats, spinner wheelcovers, and engine-turned side trim inserts.)
The 5.39:1 breakway ratio (compared with 5.07:1 in Rambler's Flash-a-Matic) helped the Plymouth get off to a speedy start. Meanwhile, safety-rim wheels helped assure safety in case of blowouts, and front seats could be adjusted six ways (by the dealer). Chrysler also boasted of its 5/50 warranty on powertrain; Ramblers were warranted bumper to bumper for 2/24.
Plymouth was the first-ever NASCAR super-speedway winner when Johnny Mantz's stubby '50 fastback took the checkered flag at the inaugural Darlington 500. Then came a decade-and-a-half drought. Then came Daytona '64. There the drought ended, with a vengence. Aided by the low-frontal- area of the new'64 sheetmetal and the new sloping roof, the Hemi engine powered Plymouths to a 1-2-3 sweep at the finish with Richard Petty in the lead. (So slippery was the , 64 body that, two years later. Petty stripped the body panels off his '66 Belvedere and replaced them with "old" '64 sheetmetal. The car ran but one race, "thanks" to a wreck, but also "thanks" to the people back in Detroit who were financing the Petty operation to sell new, not used, Plymouths. But no doubt about it, the '64 was faster!)
The standard Plymouth six had 145 hp, while Rambler Classic had 127 hp (138 hp in the optional Rambler six). The result was faster acceleration from 0-25 and 0-55 (with both having automatics). Likewise, for the standard V8s, the Plymouth's 230 hp easily beat Rambler's 198 hp Ambassador.
Gone were the days of putting Dodge front ends on Plymouths, but Dodge was still using Plymouth instrument panels and other interior appointments. Engine choices were fewer for Canadian-built cars. This was the final year for the enigmatic 313 cid Canadian version of the 318 V8. The Slant Six could be had in every model, including the convertible. The top engine was the B-block 383, rated at 330 hp.
The Fury was the top of the line, but there was a Sport Fury trim package for the hardtop and convertible, including those powered by a six. A six cylinder Sport Fury? Yes, there were a few built. If one came with an automatic, its shifter spot on the console was blocked off, as pushbutton control was all that was available for the six cylinder Torqueflite in 1964.
It was a good year for Plymouth, 1964. Sales at 343,193 were up 15.1 %. Good, but not good enough to return to the Big Three. Though ousting Oldsmobile from fourth place, Plymouth still trailed Pontiac, which held on to third place. As a carryover of the '62 that was downsized 15 years too early, the' 64 was not the big car that Ford and Chevy buyers were wanting. Next year that would change with the introduction of an all-new "full-sized" Plymouth. That meant that the old '62-initiated body would be carried over yet another year, this time as the "new" mid-sized Plymouth which it really was all along.
With the '65s, Plymouth would go on to new heights. But none would be as clean as the lithe and lean (and sometimes mean) Sixty-Four. A carryover car that not only was better. It was the best.
Plymouth Valiant and Barracuda
This section is now over at valiant.org, which covers the Valiant and Barracuda. Click here to visit! (It should open in a new window or tab.)
Home Again (by Lanny Knutson)
"You can't go home again," novelist Thomas Wolfe once said in reference to people's attempts at reliving the past. And it's true. But sometimes you can get pretty close.
My first two cars had pushbuttons; the first three, torsion bars. The first of my cars bearing these distinctive Chrysler trademarks, was a 1957 Dodge that came into my possession in 1963. When time came in 1966 to replace that Dodge, I found myself lusting after a brand new Charger. But on a student's budget, it was not a realistic possibility. So one summer evening, my brother and I set off to search the Minneapolis used car lots for a suitable alternative. It was getting quite late when a distinctive triangular hardtop pillar (in red, yet), caught my eye. "Stop here," I yelled, and my brother made a rather sharp turn into the lot of Downtown Chrysler-Plymouth.
There it was! I didn't know that I was looking for it, but once I saw it, I knew I had been all along. It was a pretty red-with-red interior Belvedere hardtop powered by a 318 (not the desired big block, but then, more compatible with my student's pocketbook) and it had a Torqueflite, with pushbuttons, of course.
This was to be my car for the next three years. But this owner-automobile "relationship" got off to a rather dubious begirming. A mere two weeks after the purchase, I was driving to work on I-694. Rounding a curve, I met, head-on, a car going the wrong way. I swerved and missed the Olds, but not a guard rail. The F-85 went on its way unscathed, never to be seen again. For this accident, obviously not my fault, I was out the $200 deductable and eventually had to pay higher insurance premiums since I was under 25 years of age. And the new red paint never matched the original.
After that shakey start, the Belvedere went on to provide me with not only transportation that was more than reliable, but even a drag racing trophy, the result of a one-and-only foray on the strip. (I was matched up with nothing less than a '69 Roadrunner 440 6 barrel. Each of us running for our own class record of course. I managed to pull a hole-shot on him which lasted all of two feet.)
Full-time employment came in 1969, the same time as the introduction of the all-new Barracuda. A Tor-Red 340, four-speed 'Cuda was ordered on introduction day in September. But instead of trading the '64, I sold it to my brother with a vague hope lurking in my subconscious that perhaps I might be able to buy it back when he was through with it. However, that time came sooner than I expected and I wasn't able to do anything about it. Thus, the Belvedere had to suffer the ignominy of being traded for an Impala, disappearing as it had appeared, into the shadows of a Minneapolis used car lot.
As I drove the 'Cuda to a new buyer in 1974, I was driving my last torsion bar car. Or so I thought. Though I stayed with Mopar, it was now coil springs. leaf springs and MacPherson struts (ie. Dodge van, '49 Plymouth, '51 Fargo and, in succession, a trio of TC3 coupes followed now by a Sundance). But then came the sale of the van after 13 years of dependable service. The very next day, I read an ad, "For Sale: 1964 Plymouth convertible." Though the ragtop was literally that, and the rest of the car in similar rough shape, I parted with half the van-sale money and drove the convertible home. With a tuneup, the 318 proved itself to be as sweet running as any. And, was it fun to be pushing those buttons again! Then I took it out on the highway. There I came to know what I had been missing all along. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that tracks down the highway with the surefooted confidence of a torsion bar Mopar!
It was good to be home again!
EPILOGUE: It would be good to let the story end there, but unfortunately, it can't. On a spring evening in 1986, as I began a left turn on a green arrow, my "return home" to the past was suddenly dashed by an impaired driver running a red light at a high rate of speed. My daughter and I walked away from the crash, but the Fury was a write-off. At least this time, it was the other guy's insurance that had to pay the damages. The sweet-running 318 survived and now this heart of a Plymouth is residing in a '64 Dodge Polara 500 hardtop. Not quite the clean lines of a '64 Plymouth, but close. It was my second of only two accidents, coming exactly 20 years after the first. Both were in 1964 Plymouths. Will I be driving a '64 in 2006? Probably.
Click here for in-depth looks at other years - including Dodge and Chrysler.
Competitive comparison, from Plymouth's point of view
Chrysler sent out the following record to its dealers (we've transcribed it for you):
In 1962, the Ford Fairlane arrived. It had no revolutionary new features and in size it was a throwback to the 1956 versions of the low priced cars.
This year, the three cars we called the BOP compacts [Buick-Oldsmobile-Pontiac] are no longer compact, like the Fairlane. They are sized about the same as the 1956 models and a new one has been added, the Chevrolet Chevelle.
And so the competitive picture seen by many a Plymouth Valiant salesman like Joe Gates here, is one which he viewed with alarm. This year he thought, "the big market for the intermediates is opening up and I'm not selling intermediates. I've got a very fine full-sized car and the very finest of the compact cars but nothing in between." But almost immediately Joe Gates, like many other Plymouth Valiant salesmen, did a double-take on his very fine full-sized Plymouth and very fine compact sized Valiant. It's true, thought Joe, that I'm not directly competitive but I'm still very competitive. And there is a big opportunity here that I'm not going to miss. But, let's hear it from Joe.
Joe: Sure I was disturbed when the BOPs came out as intermediates and joined Fairlane and Rambler in that market segment, plus the new Chevelle. What's more, I noticed that there was plenty of advertising and promotion to get people into the showrooms to have a look at the intermediates. As a matter of fact, I decided to have a look myself. I sort of had an idea maybe all this market activity might mean opportunity for me. I stopped in several showrooms and I noticed that the so-called intermediates came in strippo models and in loaded models just like other cars. Showroom traffic was good and maybe sales would be good but not everybody in those showrooms was buying intermediates. A lot of them were brought into the market by intermediate advertising and promotion. And I figured a great many of them would look at other cars too before they made up their minds.
The question in my mind was, "What do I tell a Plymouth or Valiant prospect who is also thinking about an intermediate?" It seemed to me a preliminary answer to that one would be qualifying as to what he really likes, big car benefits or compact car benefits. And either an intermediate, a compact or a full-sized car what does he like? Low initial cost? Lowest initial cost plus some luxury features? Operating economy? Exceptional maneuverability, easy parking? It seemed to me that Valiant V-100, V-200 and Signet 200 provide quite a number of good answers for the prospect who wants any or all of these things. Or suppose he's interested in low initial cost, good operating economy, power and performance, big interior dimensions, in this case Plymouth Savoy and Belvedere offer him all these benefits and more.
But take another case:
Suppose price and operating economy are not all important to a prospect and what he really wants are luxury features. Maybe sports car features and high performance, best possible handling characteristics. Well, a prospect like this should be invited to get behind the wheel of a Fury or Sport Fury with power steering and take it out on the highway, along with me of course, or you. What I'm getting at is that many people who are thinking about the "in-betweens" we can sell up to full-sized Plymouth or down to a compact Valiant. If we first qualify them that is on the kind of benefits they really consider most important.
On a chart you can see that Valiant's shorter length can mean plenty and easier parking, better maneuverability, particularly as compared to the bops. On another chart you can see the difference in Plymouth's full-sized car overall length and the shorter length of the others, particularly as compared to Fairlane, Chevelle, and Rambler Classic.
Still another chart shows you the difference between Plymouth's full-sized car luggage capacity and those of the in-between cars. Valiant, incidentally, has more luggage capacity than Classic and as much as Fairlane.
But dimensions and there benefits, compact or full-sized, are only part of what we have to sell to the prospect that thinks that perhaps an intermediate car has what he wants. We also have price to sell. I've checked out some manufacturer's suggested retail prices and it looks like we are really competitive. Without going into dollars and cents, Valiant V-100 is well under the corresponding in-between models. Valiant V-200 is under all except Ramble Classic. Signa 200, a luxury sport compact is priced under all the in-between cars when they are comparably equipped. Signa 200 is also priced under the special and F-85 strippo models. As for luxury and economy you can really do a selling job with Signa 200 to the guy who wants both plus the special characteristics of a compact car.
And if he wants a V-8 along with those special characteristics of a compact, we have it! The V-100 2-door is the lowest priced V-8 on the market. And the Signa 200 is the lowest priced bucket-seat V-8.
How about prices of the full-sized Plymouth and the intermediates? Well we are very competitive there too. For example, with our low-line Savoy you'll notice we're under the Special and F-85 and only a little over the others.
Our price position with Fury and Sport Fury is also very competitive with comparably equipped intermediates. And when you call attention to the very slight difference in monthly payments our prices look mighty attractive to the prospect you've qualified on really wanting full-sized car features with all the trimmings.
Let's check some full-sized car features every Plymouth offers the prospect who's got a notion to compromise but isn't quite sure yet. To start with, Plymouth has V-8 engine options that top anything the intermediates have in the way of horsepower and performance. You can imagine for instance taking a man who's interested in both price and power and talking to him about a Commando Four-26 or even a 383 in a Savoy. And still on the subject of performance, we have three-speed push button torque flight automatic transmission with the highest break away ratio in the industry. All the intermediates except Ramble and Fairlane, have a two-speed automatic transmission. Fairlane offers their 3-speed only with the optional 289 cubic inch V-8.
We have torsion air suspension while all the others have either four coil springs or coils up front and leaves in back. And Plymouth's better ride is something your in-between car minded man should experience.
In the safety department, we have safety rimmed wheels, more break-lining area and the only ones beside Plymouth with bonded-lining are Chevelle and Ramble Classic.
Plymouth has unitized construction; it's tougher and quieter riding than the body-on-frame construction used by the bops and the Chevelle. Valiant has practically all of these extra quality features too and they are a big part of your Valiant sales story.
Well, I think you'll agree that when you do some comparing you've got two great sales stories; one for the prospect who really wants what he can get in Valiant, the best all-around compact and one for the prospect who wants the full-sized benefits he can get in a get up and go Plymouth. The thing to do, as I look at it, is to qualify your prospect as to what he really wants in his next new car; the particular benefits of a compact or those of a full-sized car as compared to a compromise car.
Perhaps the biggest thing to remember is that we have on the shelf "price cars", "performance cars", "luxury cars", "economy cars" and just about any combination of those qualities that your prospect can think of.
For price and power there's a Savoy with 365 horsepower and four-speed stick shift.
For bucket seats, vinyl trim and other luxury features plus low initial cost and operating economy there is Signa 200.
It is simply up to us to find out just what combination he'll buy and then to show him that certain Plymouth or Valiant is the best answer to his needs. When you do that, you're tailoring the prospects desires to fit the very fine features and benefits we have in our automobiles. And that's what makes the salesman.
Chrysler Heritage • History by Year • Chrysler People and Bios • Corporate Facts and History


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TAMPA, Florida — There have been some elections in the past when observers have complained that you can't tell the difference between the Democrats and Republicans.
But — according to former Gov. Tommy Thompson — that's clearly not the case in the 2012 race between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
"We're going to have two distinct visions of America — one that's a government-controlled system and one that is more free, independent, capitalistic and focuses on private enterprise," Thompson said Tuesday during an interview at the Republican National Convention.
"And the jurors — the voters — have to make a decision. It's going to be for all the marbles," he added. "You either go in a new direction or you stay with what I would consider a failed direction of the Obama administration.
"It is no more, 'I can't tell the difference.' I know the difference," Thompson said. "I know what's going to happen if they go with the left; I know what's going to happen if they go with the right."
High Hopes for Romney This Fall
Thompson — not surprisingly — believes voters in Wisconsin and throughout the country will "go with the right" by backing Romney.
"Governor Romney is saying to America that we're not going to have a caretaker type of government," Thompson said. "We're problem-solvers and we're going to solve the problems of America one-by-one."
If Romney does carry Wisconsin in the Nov. 6 election, he would be the first Republican presidential candidate to do so since Ronald Reagan in 1984.
And Thompson, who is against Democrat Tammy Baldwin, believes having his name on the ballot will help give Romney an edge in the Badger State.
"I think I'm going to help Mitt Romney carry Wisconsin," he said. "I have a strong presence in Wisconsin — 88 percent of the people still know me. And I do well in areas that Republicans have not done well before.
"I'm the only Republican who has ever carried Douglas County, and I'm the only Republican who has ever carried Dane County (in 1998)," he added.
All Eyes on Wisconsin
Thompson said Wisconsin has become the "epicenter" of national politics this year. The selection of means Wisconsin has again become a "swing state" in the presidential race — four years after Obama carried the state by 14 percentage points.
And if Thompson wins against Baldwin, there's a possibility that victory could give Republicans control of the U.S. Senate come January.
"There is not another state that has more going for it politically than the state of Wisconsin," he said. "You really have the best political scenario here. I don't think you can script it any better than what it is right now."

subset: commoncrawl


text: Each month ANNA offers a FREE continuing nursing education (CNE) program in ANNA's Online Library. This special offer is available to ANNA members only! This month's featured session, "Regenerative Medicine: Innovations to Treat Kidney Disease," was originally offered at the 2013 National Symposium in Las Vegas. Presented by Thomas Gonwa, MD, FACP, FASN, a researcher in regenerative medicine focusing on renal disease, this session provides a glimpse of what current research holds for patient care. Listen to the recording of the session, view the accompanying presentation materials, and earn CNE online - all for FREE. This program is available for free to ANNA members through July 31, 2014.


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NORMAN — Editor, The Transcript:
I am Leslie Kelly-Houston, Tinker Air Force Base Spouse of the Year, and I would like to thank you for featuring me in The Norman Transcript on Feb. 7, 2013. However, my personal struggle is not how or why I won this honor.
I am passionate about children and, working as a teacher, I saw a need within my classroom and throughout my school. Too many military students had extensive gaps in learning and it was hindering their educational success. Knowing this, I began planning programs to teach parents how to advocate for their children, as well as navigating a complex education system.
Winning Military Spouse of the Year (MSOY) nationally would afford me the opportunity to highlight the need for due process of children, especially military children, who are referred for special education services.
Through this platform I would be able to educate parents and military leaders about the special education laws such as IDEA and civil rights, the special education process that involves the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the 504 Plan. Parents would also learn how to navigate the educational system through advocacy.
We have not allowed our personal struggles to define our family. I am a proud military spouse who is grateful for the journey.
Thank you,
For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.


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ATB Financial and the Art Gallery of Alberta are pleased to announce the third annual ATB Financial Young Artists Competition. As part of our ongoing partnership, we're once again looking for Grade 4 students across the province to tell Alberta's stories through art. Last year's competition showcased amazing creativity, but we know there is still more out there!
We are looking for expressive and imaginative artworks that feature the multi-faceted viewpoints of our Alberta stories. Entries must be submitted by a Grade 4 teacher. The AGA and ATB Financial will select 30 winning entries, which will be professionally framed and featured in an exhibition at the AGA May 8-19, 2013.
Please note: Manning Hall is one of the AGA's rental spaces. The artworks on display in this space may be removed at times for booked events. We advise guests to please call 780.422.6223 in advance of their visit to confirm that the ATB Young Artists Competition display is available for viewing.


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Africa News blog
African business, politics and lifestyle
Will 2012 see more strong men of Africa leave office?
By Isaac Esipisu
There are many reasons for being angry with Africa 's strong men, whose autocratic ways have thrust some African countries back into the eye of the storm and threatened to undo the democratic gains in other parts of the continent of the past decades.
For those who made ultimate political capital from opposing strongman rule in their respective countries, it is a chilling commentary of African politics that several leaders now seek to cement their places and refusing to retire and watch the upcoming elections from the sidelines, or refusing to hand over power after losing presidential elections.
In 2012 one of the longest strong men of Africa, President Abdoulaye Wade's country Senegal is holding its presidential elections together with other countries like Sierra Leon, Mali, Mauritania, Malagasy, and will be shortly followed by Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Yoweri Museveni and Paul Biya of Cameroon , who are among the longest-ruling leaders of the Africa , won their respective presidential elections and continue to have a stronghold on their respective countries, albeit with charges raised of serious election malpractice. Eduardo Dos Santos of Angola, Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo Republic and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe will in one or two years face the electorate in an effort to further cement their authoritarian leadership.
Who among the seven longest serving African leaders will be deposed next?
By Isaac Esipisu
Several African leaders watching news of the death of Africa 's longest serving leader are wondering who among them is next and how they will leave office.
Three of the ten longest serving leaders have fallen this year – Ben Ali of Tunisia ruled for 23 years, Hosni Mubarak of Egypt ruled for 30 years and the longest, the Brother Leader of Libya ruled for 42 years – all gone in the last six months.
African summit troubles
Although Zimbabwe got all the headlines, the official theme of the African Union summit in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh was water.
That made it all the more surprising for thirsty delegates that there was none for them to drink.
Journalists covering the summit had other complaints.
Usually, these meetings are a glorious chance for reporters to grab quotes from normally elusive heads of state as they glide through the plush halls, flanked by aides and bodyguards.
But the Egyptians had other ideas at this summit. Maybe it was a sign of the sensitivity of the discussions, with Zimbabwe's election crisis overshadowing all other topics. Or perhaps it was an indication of the immensely tight security around Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak — who escaped an assassination attempt at an African summit in Ethiopia in 1995.
Local security officials banned reporters from entering areas even two halls away from where the leaders were meeting.
A few news crews still got through, but some scuffled with President Robert Mugabe's security men late on Sunday — the 84-year-old leader was himself knocked about. After that, security became even tighter, with journalists confined only to a smoky, overcrowded press centre.
Reporters like me and Reuters colleagues Opheera McDoom and Cynthia Johnston were banned from going to interview leaders even after their aides came to escort us to see them.
At least one official was advised not to enter the press room — to avoid provoking a crush. Egyptian security said they couldn't guarantee the safety of officials.
Meanwhile, journalists were barricaded in one end of the building, with no food provided apart from two coffee breaks during the 12-hour days. Those offerings were devoured in seconds by a ravenous pack, depriving those who weren't quick enough for even a dry piece of cake.
AU officials griped about the lack of hospitality too.
"This is the worst summit ever," said one experienced AU official.


text:
Member of Excellence Nominations Due Soon
TOPEKA, Kan. (Nov. 6, 2013) – Sports Car Club of America is, once again, seeking nominations for the Member of Excellence award to be presented at the 2014 SCCA National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. In addition to being recognized in front of their Club colleagues, the recipient earns a trip to any motorsports event, anywhere in the world.
The award goes to a member who provided a great contribution in the previous 12 months to the Club, regardless of competition area, as selected by the SCCA Board of Directors. Included below are the official criteria for this honor:
"[The award is presented to] the volunteer who shows the greatest commitment to SCCA Motor Sports activities. The recipient can be involved in Solo, Rally and/or Club Racing. This person should personify the SCCA volunteer who gives of his/her time and effort to helping organize, work in a specialty or any volunteer role necessary to a motor sports event. The award is a trip to any motor sports event anywhere with any sanctioning body. The recipient must meet the following criteria and the other obligations and conditions stated below:
"The member must have rendered long term service working SCCA events or activities for a five year minimum.
"Recipient cannot be a paid SCCA staff member, current Board of Directors member or any member who is a paid consultant to SCCA."
This year's honoree will join Mary Shiloff (2012), Arnie Coleman (2011), Marina Kraft (2010), Dave Deborde (2009) and Carol Cohn (2008) as previous recipients.
The trip is funded by a 20-year private endowment by an anonymous SCCA member.
Nominees should be submitted to firstname.lastname@example.com or faxed to the attention of the SCCA President at (785) 232-7228. Nominations must be received by close of business November 29, 2013, for consideration.
More News
- Eastern Conference to Conclude at Summit Point Motorsports Park - 07/31/2014
- Northern Conference Round Nine Runs At Hot Road America - 07/26/2014
- IndyCar Star Josef Newgarden to Participate at SCCA Formula F 45th Celebration - 07/25/2014
- Contingency Programs Set for 2014 SCCA National Championship Runoffs - 07/23/2014
- SCCA Runoffs Registration Now Open - 07/21/2014


text:
You are not as successful as you want to be because you allow distractions into your life.
You are not as successful as you want to be because you are worried that you might miss something.
You are not as successful as you want to be because your brain is being reward the way low level gamblers' brains work in Vegas: stimulus – response – occasional reward – til you're broke. They even have a term for this: "time to extinction."
You are not as successful as you want to be because you're looking at little numbers and wanting to pop them like digital bubble wrap, instead of working on the tasks that have no numbers beside them, but are worth so much more than the number to the right of these words.
You are not as successful as you want to be because you haven't started leading your own game in this case.
Keep the browser closed, or down to 1 tab total.
Keep your phone set to silent except when YOU need it. If you use Google Voice you can park everyone BUT the school (if you're worried about kids) or park everyone but the boss (if you're worried about that kid who pretends to be a grown-up).
Keep your goals in front of you. Always. On stickies. On the wallpaper of your laptop. On 3×5 cards in your wallet or purse. Everywhere. Go so far that you consider tattooing your goals on you.
And publish those goals frequently, even if it's with just a few close friends. Name those demons. If it's 30 pounds you have to lose, say 30, not 10. If it's 100,000 extra dollars you want to make, name it. Break it down by month. Tell yourself how you're going to hit that number. Visualize all of this. Daily. Incessantly.
If you take your head out of those little numbers, you'll get a lot more of your head back where it belongs. In the game.
ChrisBrogan.com runs on the Genesis Framework
The Genesis Framework empowers you to quickly and easily build incredible websites with WordPress. Whether you're a novice or advanced developer, Genesis provides you with the secure and search-engine-optimized foundation that takes WordPress to places you never thought it could go.
With automatic theme updates and world-class support included, Genesis is the smart choice for your WordPress website or blog.
- Find out more about the framework features
- Check out the Genesis demo and the wide variety of child themes
- See example designs in the Genesis design showcase


text:
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HMT - York
'Really easy to use and clean, the few times my baby has been in it, he has loved it!'
Polly - Chichester
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text:
The chickens are coming! The chickens are coming!
A new Chick-fil-A took another flap forward recently after officials gave the fast-food giant a permit to build two drive-thru lanes at its proposed 4,529-square-foot restaurant in Seal Beach.
The Planning Commission decision serves as official confirmation that the biz will come to roost at 12101 Seal Beach Blvd., filling an empty nest at the Shops at Rossmoor that had been vacant since 2006, according to city staff.
Seal Beach requires any business proposing a drive-thru lane to go through the city's permitting process, which Chick-fil-A did Jan. 16.
According to city staff, the restaurant will have 114 seats, no outdoor dining, automatic volume control on the drive-through speaker boxes and about 15 employees working any given shift.
The interior floor plan is designed with a 1,470-square-foot dining area and a 200-square-foot children's play area.
Operating hours are proposed for 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and closed on Sundays.
Located on the north end of the property, the business would also have shared parking with the shopping center.
Famous for its Southern-style chicken sandwiches and its bovine mascots, the company recently found itself in mired in America's debate over gay marriage after its president said he supported "the Biblical definition of the family unit."
Gay marriage advocates strongly criticized the chain, holding kiss-ins, protests and business boycotts while traditional marriage advocates flocked to Chick-fil-A restaurants to show support for the company and its leaders.
In previous interviews, city staff said the Planning Commission only examines application on design merits, not the political or social beliefs of the business owners.


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This regular column is for Dungeon Masters who like to build worlds and campaigns as much as I do. Here I share my experiences as a DM through the lens of Iomandra, my Dungeons & Dragons campaign world. Even though the campaign uses the 4th Edition rules, the topics covered here often transcend editions. Hopefully this series of articles will give you inspiration, ideas, and awesome new ways to menace your players in your home campaigns.
If you're interested in learning more about the world of Iomandra, check out the wiki.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT. Until recently, Curt Gould played a character in my campaign named Xanthum Zail. As a gnome bard, Xanthum provided some useful healing and battlefield control powers, but he never earned the complete trust of his adventuring companions. Curt had imbued the character with one fatal flaw, an attribute which wasn't reflected at all in his statistics: Xanthum brought ill luck to any ship he set foot on.
When he conceived Xanthum's back-story, Curt made specific mention of past expeditions gone awry, but never once did Xanthum willfully bring ruin to any of his traveling companions. It was more like a series of unfortunate coincidences. When he first joined the party, Xanthum thought it prudent to keep his previous misadventures under wraps. Fortunately for him, the other players were more interested in Xanthum's healing ability than his back-story, and he was welcomed aboard.
I exploited Xanthum's "curse" on more than one occasion, but the most damaging event happened at the beginning of epic tier. While he was possessed by a powerful star spawn entity, Xanthum set off a Far Realm mine that sank the party's ship and killed nearly everyone aboard, including several PCs. The dead characters were eventually restored to life, their ship was salvaged from the ocean's depths and made to sail again, and the star spawn invader in Xanthum's brain was banished. However, the damage was done; the party would never trust Xanthum again.
Gnomes are stereotypically hard to trust. They are the Puckish rapscallions and madcap inventors of the D&D game. But Curt didn't play Xanthum as an instigator or troublemaker. Quite the opposite: Xanthum was actually very trustworthy and never set out to jeopardize his fellow adventurers. However, I took advantage of any opportunity to place Xanthum in the midst of misfortune — to make his "curse" readily apparent. Once, he was banished to the Nine Hells, tortured, and scarred for life by the ordeal. Sometime later, a pit fiend used Xanthum as a receptacle for its life force, and although the fiend was eventually exorcised, Xanthum retained some of the devil's knowledge and put it to use, plotting revenge against his infernal torturers. None of this sat well with the other player characters. After all, what could be more dangerous than a mentally unhinged gnome out for revenge?
Using political information and secrets gained from the pit fiend, Xanthum not only survived a return trip to the Nine Hells but also rose quickly through the infernal ranks, earning the title of duke. Upon returning to his companions, Xanthum tried to summon diabolical aid to repel an invading force, but his adventuring companions didn't want devils in their midst, so they turned against the gnome. Xanthum was cast off the ship and barely escaped with his life.
anthum's recent misadventures not only represent the culmination of a rather gratifying character arc but also illustrate the risks of allowing inner-party conflict to drive campaign narrative. As I've stated before, conflict between characters can be extremely rewarding if all the players are "on board" with it, but if even one player finds the idea off-putting, it's best avoided.
This year's "Ask the DM" seminar at PAX was a packed house and included a half-hour Q&A session, during which the panelists (myself included) fielded all sorts of great questions. Every year, without fail, the topic of inner-party conflict arises. Some DMs encourage it, while others discourage it, but as Rodney Thompson pointed out (and correctly so), neither approach is wrong. Every game group has a social contract that the DM must honor and uphold — an unwritten code that defines what is acceptable and unacceptable at the game table. If your players are cool with inner-party conflict and you deem it an essential element of your campaign, then have at it!
One of the obvious outcomes of inner-party conflict is the loss of one or more characters, and everyone at the game table needs to understand and accept the risks; if they can't, you should urge players to focus on external conflicts rather than internal ones. But even experienced DMs who foster inner-party conflicts can't always predict the outcome. I was surprised by the turn of events that resulted in Xanthum getting punted off the party's ship, particularly given that his recent behavior hardly represented his worst campaign offense, but on this occasion he was cast off in no uncertain terms. It became a matter of trust: the other heroes finally reached the point where they stopped trusting Xanthum, and so he got the boot. (It didn't help, I suppose, that one session earlier a gnome NPC named Barnacle Trizm blew up the ship's rudder, hindering the party's ability to escape an attacking vessel.)
So, yeah, Xanthum was forced out of the party rather suddenly and unexpectedly. It was as much my fault as anyone's. At the end of the session, I asked Curt whether he wanted to continue playing Xanthum or not. I reassured him that it wouldn't be hard to dream up a way for the gnome bard to worm his way back into the party. I am, after all, the DM, with the power of a thousand djinn to shape the world and manipulate events to suit my dark whims. Curt ultimately decided to give Xanthum a break. He had another character in reserve that he was itching to play. (The sudden departure of a character isn't necessarily a bad thing, particularly when you have a player who isn't married to the character and who likes to try different things.) As far as I'm concerned, the player decides what he or she wants to play, and it's my job as the DM to make it work within the context of the campaign.
Curt's back-up character is a human cleric of Melora named Divin, who traces his origin back to the start of the campaign. In fact, Curt "retired" Divin midway through the paragon tier to make way for Xanthum. I asked Curt to contrive a way by which Divin would suddenly find himself twelve levels higher, and ultimately he settled on the notion of Melora investing Divin with a fragment of her power, basically using him to help the rest of the party in its time of greatest need. So, Divin jumped from 17th level to 29th level and was instantly back in play. The rest of the party welcomed him back into the fold, and Xanthum became the gnome that time forgot. (Although just between you and me, I don't think we've seen the last of him.)
Curt was lucky to have his old character lying around. If Curt didn't have Divin to "dust off," I suspect Xanthum would have found his way back into the party through some bit of narrative legerdemain (just to spare Curt the pain of creating a brand-new 29th-level character). However, as much as I love Xanthum as a character (he's one of my all-time favorites), I can't say I'm disappointed to see him fade away — that's a gnome trait, by the way. The best characters never overstay their welcome, and in a way, the reintroduction of Divin at the end of the campaign takes the Wednesday night campaign back to where it began. The party can finally unite against some of the campaign's big external threats without having to worry about that chipper little gnome tripping them up.
There are two ways in which inner-party conflict is instigated:
I won't speak to the former except to say that players who are hell-bent on evoking inner-party conflict are free to do so if your campaign allows it, and as a DM it's your job to "direct" that conflict in a manner that ultimately entertains the players and propels the campaign forward. The conflict needs to be constructive, not destructive. It needs to fuel the narrative. If it starts to get out of control, to the point where the game's participants are no longer having a good time (as be sure to count yourself in the mix), then you might need to intervene and remind the players that conflicts between characters need to be resolved eventually . . . and in a manner that everyone can appreciate and enjoy.
The Xanthum conflict is an example of the latter — a conflict sparked by the DM. I created a situation in which Xanthum's "curse" would cause his fellow party members to turn against him. It was a risk, but I knew Curt would enjoy the roleplaying challenge. I also knew that Xanthum was well liked by the other players (if not their characters), so the chances of him getting killed or dumped were minimal. In this instance, I bet against the house and lost.
You might think that the Xanthum incident would discourage me from instigating further inner-party conflicts, but you'd be wrong. I'm a sucker for character-driven conflict, particularly at higher levels when my players know their characters really well and I'm looking for new ways to challenge them. Trust is a major theme in the Iomandra campaign, and any time I can contrive scenarios in which trust is strained or put to the test, the more tense (and hopefully fun) the campaign becomes.
Case in point, Rodney Thompson's character is a sworn champion of the Raven Queen, and he has a holy quest to wipe out all warforged. In my campaign, warforged aren't living constructs; they're powered by necrotic energy, specifically the distilled essence of trapped souls, which is why the Raven Queen cannot abide their existence. The problem is that one of my other players, Nacime Khemis, plays a warforged character. It's a bit of a conundrum, and without Xanthum around to provide a worthy distraction, Rodney and Nacime are going to have to deal with it. And I'd be lying if I said the Wednesday night group didn't have other trust issues to work out before all's said and done. Meanwhile, Xanthum can lie low and plot his revenge. . . .
Until the next encounter!
—Dungeon Master for Life, Chris Perkins


text:
by Adam Ghassemi
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It has been a never ending saga. Every day the number of people infected keeps growing.
"This is just a catastrophe," said Nashville attorney Randy Kinnard who filed the first meningitis-related law suit in Tennessee for Janet Russell of Hendersonville. Russell is still recovering.
His firm, Kinnard, Clayton & Beveridge, now represents 20 victims, including three deaths and one person who is paralyzed.
"This is very unusual to get this kind of a wave, almost a tsunami like situation in the medical field. It's very unusual," Kinnard said.
Thursday health officials confirmed the fungus behind the outbreak was found in unopened vials of steroid medication made at the New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Massachusetts. Earlier this week, FDA investigators raided NECC, which is accused of mass producing drugs, even though it wasn't licensed to do so.
At this point, no one seems to know what assets or insurance the compounding pharmacy has. If they go belly up Kinnard says medical facilities that sold the drugs could be liable.
"Hypothetically if this company is declared insolvent there are other potential sellers of the product that potentially there could be responsibility with them," he said.
After the cases are settled he hopes for change to restore confidence with patients who are now left to wonder.
"Some governmental entity, I believe, Congress will get something passed and hopefully stop this kind of thing from happening in the future," he said. "They can feel comfortable knowing what I'm going to have injected into me is safe."
Kinnard agrees with previously reported legal opinions. It is in a patient's best interest to file individual cases in Tennessee circuit court, versus class action law suits elsewhere. He says each case is different because every person is hurt differently.
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com Facebook: facebook.com/NC5AdamGhassemi Twitter: twitter.com/NC5_AGhassemi


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Flooding is the most common natural hazard in Harris and Montgomery Counties.
Understand these terms:
Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible.
Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring.
What to do if Flooding is Possible:
Determine if your area is a flood risk if unsure; call X5911 or 281.290.5911.
Plan for evacuation.
Listen for campus alerts and monitor your radio or television for reports of flood danger.
Do NOT try to walk or drive through flooded areas.
Follow official emergency evacuation routes. If in your vehicle and it stalls in flood water, get out quickly and move to higher ground.
Stay away from moving water and disaster areas.
Turn utilities off until emergency officials advise it is safe to turn them on. Avoid weakened floors, walls, and rooftops.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and clean water if you come in contact with floodwaters.
When floodwaters have receded watch for weakened road surfaces.
Do not return to affected areas until it is safe to do so.
Safety Tips for Driving on Wet Roads
Please take precautions when driving in rainy weather. While most people know to slow down in the rain, there are other tips that can save your life.
Play it smart, play it safe. Whether driving or walking, any time you come to a flooded road, TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN!
To keep up with the latest traffic and road conditions click here.
For more information visit the Regional Joint Information Center website at http://www.readyharris.org/
Join our mailing list for the Regional Joint Information Center, click here.


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is anyone headed to go to State College on Friday? I have to catch a bus at the Megabus Station at 5pm.
It would be great if you could help me, I am paying the gas money.
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Precious Greetings -BluefishTV.com - Today's Christian Videos
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This silly "Hallmark" card commercial shows you how to express your true feelings.
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Photos and VideosMore Photos and Videos
Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures before competing in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Usain Bolt opened defense of his Olympic 200-meter title with a comfortable win in the opening round Tuesday, easing up to a jog over the final 80 meters to finish in 20.39 seconds.
The Jamaican, who won the 100 meters Sunday night in an Olympic-record 9.63 seconds, will race again Wednesday in the 200 semifinals. The final is Thursday.
Bolt's teammate, 100-meter silver medalist Yohan Blake, won his heat easily in 20.38. The third Jamaican, Warren Weir, finished his race in 20.29, 0.01 slower than the morning's fastest time, posted by Ecuador's Alex Quinonez.
Also advancing were Wallace Spearmon of the U.S. (20.47), Christophe Lemaitre of France (20.34) and Churandy Martina of the Netherlands (20.58), who finished second in 2008 but was disqualified for running out of his lane.


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For Immediate Release
For more information contact:
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Solid Waste Collection Schedule
Tampa, FL
January 15, 2013
- There will be no garbage, yard waste, or blue box recycling collection service for residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day falls on Monday, January 21, 2013 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day). Garbage collection will resume on the next scheduled service day, Thursday, January 24, 2013, and blue box recycling & yard waste collection will resume on Monday, January 28, 2012.
Commercial services will run one day late through Saturday January 26, 2013. McKay Bay Transfer Station/Scalehouse will be closed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and normal schedule will resume on Tuesday January 22, 2013.
Please Note: New Tampa residents are encouraged to contact Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management at (813) 272-5680 for their Holiday Collection schedule, or (813) 274-8811 for utility billing questions.
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Feeling impulsive and hoping to book a last-minute getaway to Las Vegas for New Year's Eve? Despite the notion that Sin City is virtually sold out and that the only remaining rooms are wildly expensive, a variety of lodging options is still available.
And a two-night (Sunday and Monday) stay on the Strip can be as little as $320, taxes included.


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Lieb Cellars is a familiar stop in Long Island Wine Country for those traveling east or west on Route 48 in Mattituck at the intersection of Cox Neck Road.
And now those looking to venture off the main drag have another venue to taste the award-winning wines of Lieb — at what the winery is promoting as a "rustic-chic" tasting room, which opened at 13050 Oregon Road on Oct. 1.
Lieb marketing manager Logan Kingston said that the past week and the weekend in between has been excellent at the new location showcasing some of the North Fork's most rural vistas.
"We had quite a few groups come in this weekend at the Oregon location and the Mattituck tasting room is still experiencing an influx," she said.
Originally proposed over the summer of 2011, Lieb Cellars Oregon Road is a converted agricultural storage building over 5,500 square feet in size sitting amongst 62 acres of wines. Lieb Cellars Mattituck, which features a tasting room of modern industrial décor, opened its doors in May 2001 and shares its location with Premium Wine Group, a custom crush facility that produces wines for over 70 vineyards.
Both tasting rooms, open every day from noon until 7 p.m., offer the full menu of Lieb Wines and offer tastes of local season foods. With the exception of only a limited number of private parties, busses and limousines are not allowed at the new rural Lieb location — most will be allowed only at the Cox Neck location.
"We've had only one party bus so far – we're keeping those very exclusive on Oregon Road," Kingston said. "We're planning maybe four per year for our wine club members."
Have you been to the new Oregon Lieb location yet? Let us know in the comment boxes below.


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Five men were arrested after police officers saw one toss a loaded gun out of the passenger window of a car on the 880 block of Coyote Street.
Milpitas Police were responding to a call for service at 1:36 a.m. Tuesday on Krismer Street when an officer tried to stop a 2006 four-door Acura TSX for a traffic violation. Before the stop, officers saw a small, dark object tossed out of the passenger window, according to reports.
The object landed on the curb and officers found it to be a loaded gun, according to reports. Police conducted a "high risk vehicle stop" and arrested all five men in the car.
Ray Ricardo Trujillo, 23, of San Jose, was booked into Santa Clara County Jail for a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a loaded firearm, being under the influence of a controlled substance and a parole violation, according to reports.
Sonny Thanh Nguyen, 21, Hieu Chi Ho, 21, Glenn Nguyen, 20 and Martin Cardiel, 20, all of San Jose, were booked into Santa Clara County Jail for possession of a loaded firearm, according to reports.
Anyone with information should call Milpitas Police at 408-586-2400; report it anonymously at 408-586-2500; or visit the department's website.


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The lofty open space on two floors can accommodate intimate or large groups, and caters to canines a...
After a long run as an upscale eatery, Brian Polcyn has reinvented the Milford space as a Mexican re...
(Deli, Eclectic, Vegetarian Menu)
Purveyors of organic and natural foods, the café serves cafeteria-style and by the pound, so you can...
Inn Season Cafe - a longtime provider of vegetarian and vegan cuisine in metro Detroit - has gotte...
(American, Sweets, Vegetarian Menu, Bistro)
If you want it done right, do it yourself. At Josephine, the patés and the wines are all made on the...
(Middle East, Vegetarian Menu)
"White tablecloths, wine, fresh juices, Lebanese cuisine and pleasant company are all features of th...
Located right smack in the middle of the Woodward corridor suburbs is a Mexican restaurant that aims...
Ullah Abdul has 27 years experience with Northern Indian Cuisine in London, Montreal, Windsor, and m...
Specializing in south Indian as well as north Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine. Lunch bu...
Entrées at Rangoli come in small copper bowls. Among our favorites: nargisi aloo (a saucy, scooped-o...
(Asian, Thai, Vegetarian Menu)
Exciting. Exotic. A delight to all the senses.
And we don't just mean the food.
Create your own stir-fry. Mongolia-style BBQ. Children's menu. Meal cooked right before you. Variety...
(American, Eclectic, Vegetarian Menu)
"Casual, fun and sophisticated four-star bistro in Southfield, Michigan serving incredible sandwiche...
Friendly but unassuming environment, great food, low prices and immense portions. Service is not top...
Thielk's Mongolian Grille brings exceptional Mongolian style dining to Grosse Pointe with a touch of...
(Breakfast, Eclectic, Vegetarian Menu)
Toast has taken over Delia's space in Ferndale, bringing a new decor and layout. The food is marvelo...
(Breakfast, Indian, Vegetarian Menu)
Zyggyz is a sit-down place, quite informal, where you order from a menu and a server brings your foo...


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Order today and select next working day for delivery to mainland UK on Monday
The award-winning Hauck Freerider Pushchair is a seriously good looking three wheel jogger that multi-tasks with the best of them. Two separate seat units create a practical set of wheels that can be used either as a single or a tandem; it's also travel system compatible too.
The Hauck Freerider Pushchair is the perfect choice for active parents. With a main seat suitable from birth, and a second seat from six months, the Freerider will happily take your children through to the toddler years. Adaptors are included so you can add the Hauck Zero Plus car seat (sold separately) for car-to-chassis convenience.
The three large all-terrain wheels will help you power through your Sunday morning walks and inspire you to get out and enjoy the fresh air. An adjustable push handle makes for a comfortable drive whilst the generous shopping basket provides plentiful space for your baby gear. Closed rear wheel guards keep little fingers safely protected.
Both seats recline and combined with an adjustable footrest ensure a super comfy ride for your little ones. The included extendable sun canopies with viewing window, padded 5-point safety harnesses and detachable bumper bar leave nothing to be desired.
the hauck freerider was easy to assemble and very modern an stylish the one thing had a slight problem with was finding a well fitting step for me 3rd child
These are exclusive customer reviews unless otherwise stated. Specifications of goods are subject to change.
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text: I am wanting to build a script that will allow me to add a black border measuring a uniform width (say 5% of the picture height) for a batch of images of different resolutions and sizes. Problem is, increasing the canvas size by +5% black on a rectangular photo will not produce a border of uniform width. It would also be great if I could add a name and logo (saved as an eps) to the border - something like the picture below. Can this be done as an automated script?


text:
A leather bomber jacket worn by President John F. Kennedy fetched well more than 10 times the asking price at auction, an indication of the fascination the nation still has for the president who ushered in the upbeat era of Camelot after the political doldrums of the 1950s.
The jacket, complete with a patch of the presidential seal, was worn by the president and others on Air Force One. It flew out the door Sunday at a price of $570,000 plus the buyer's premium, officials at John McInnis Auctioneers told reporters.


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Dr. Chloe MichelTalk36
this wiki
Redirected from Chloe Michel
|Chloe Michel
|Citadel Clinician
|Jan Alexandra Smith
|Mass Effect: Homeworlds
Mass Effect
Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect 3
Mass Effect: Homeworlds Edit
A badly-wounded Tali'Zorah nar Rayya stumbled upon Dr. Michel's clinic in the Upper Wards and collapsed in her arms. The doctor helped Tali into a corner and while treating her wounds became an audience for the quarian's tale of her journey and woes.
Tali had obtained information linking Saren Arterius to the geth, and she was pursued by the Spectre's lackeys all the way to the Citadel to stop her from exposing it. Tali managed to defeat the most tenacious pursuer but was shot along the way, which led to her limping to the clinic. As she finished the story, Dr. Michel assured her that she's safe for the moment.
A volus nearby was also listening to the quarian's story and mentioned that he is an information broker: he can contact the Shadow Broker to ensure that Tali's information can reach the right people. With this, Dr. Michel encouraged Tali to trust the volus.
Mass Effect Edit
Commander Shepard is led to the Med Clinic by Harkin to look for Garrus Vakarian only to find Michel under threat from Fist's thugs. Shepard's squad helps Garrus to rescue her and after being asked for the reason behind the attack, Michel tells them about a quarian she treated. The quarian, Tali, claimed to have data implicating Saren Arterius in the Eden Prime attack and was looking for a safe place to hide. Michel put Tali in touch with Fist. However, she is surprised to hear Fist has betrayed the Shadow Broker to work for Saren; she knows it is suicidal to double-cross the Broker.
When Shepard returns to the clinic, the Commander finds Michel receiving a demand for medical supplies. Upon questioning – "every time I come in here, I see someone threatening you" – Michel explains what happened at her last job and that someone is blackmailing her. If her past gets out, she could lose her licence and the clinic would be shut down. Shepard can offer to help by delivering the supplies to a merchant called Morlan down in the Markets, but a krogan shows up to collect them from Morlan, mentioning that he works for someone called Banes.
Once Shepard has dealt with the krogan, the Commander can ask Michel about Banes. According to Michel, she and Armistan Banes worked together a long time ago. The last she heard, Banes was working for the Alliance on a military contract. The squad suggest asking Captain Anderson, from whom they will find out that Banes has died and that the crew that found Banes' body is missing. Michel is very grateful for Shepard's help, and offers a discount on her medical goods.
Mass Effect 2 Edit
In 2185, Dr. Michel sends a message to Shepard asking about the Commander and Garrus (provided that the related assignment was completed).
Message: You and Garrus are alive! Edit
Mass Effect 3 EditHuerta Memorial Hospital. After Shepard makes it off of Mars following the attack on Earth, she oversees the medical treatment of Ashley Williams or Kaidan Alenko. Shepard can choose either Dr. Michel or Dr. Chakwas to be the Normandy's doctor, though Shepard will have to deny Dr. Chakwas' request first and then convince Dr. Michel to join the crew.
If Garrus survived the events of the Collector attacks, Dr. Michel brings him turian chocolates, saying, "[she] saw them and thought of [Garrus]".
Aboard the Normandy, upon her initial examination, she will remark that she's aware of the various cybernetic implants Cerberus used to reconstruct Shepard, although she observes that the med-bay upgrade probably cost a considerable amount. She also regrets how much more intensive her new work is, but she believes the opportunity to make a real difference with the crew is worthwhile. She is worried about the safety of her parents who were in Geneva back on Earth, to which Shepard offers sympathy. While Mordin Solus/Padok Wiks is treating Eve in the med-bay, she can be found talking with Engineer Adams about her history with Banes.
After the Cerberus attack on the Citadel, Dr. Michel requests Shepard to broker a trade with Tactus, the refugees' leader on the Citadel. The refugees had an excess of medical supplies for treating wounded soldiers while the Normandy's inventory had an excess of medicine for dealing with malnutrition, exposure,etc. Dr. Michel explains that Tactus, wary of the Alliance military, didn't trust her, but she believes Shepard can make the trade happen. She is confident that she can use the new medical supplies to increase the efficiency of medi-gel.
After the mission to restart the reactors of a turian fuel depot on Cyone, Dr. Michel and Engineer Adams are found in the Mess Hall, arguing about the fundamental characteristics of sentient life, with reference to the geth and the Reapers.
If Shepard does not talk to Dr. Michel before Cerberus' attack on the Citadel, she will no longer be present at the hospital.
- Dr. Michel's voice actress Jan Alexandra Smith also provides the voice for Councilor Tevos in Mass Effect as well as Aishi the Mournful Blade and Forest Shadow in BioWare's Jade Empire and Delilah Howe, Nida, and Lady Liza Packton in Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening.


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Is it okay to lie about being a war hero?
While most of the nation was focused on the Supreme Court's June 28 decision on the Obama health care law, the high court also issued a ruling that day covering heroism, war, lying and criminality.
Upholding an appeals court, the Supreme Court struck down a provision in the Stolen Valor Act of 2006 that made it a crime to lie about being the recipient of a military award.
Although many fake war heroes have been exposed in recent years, this case was about Xavier Alvarez, a Los Angeles man who acknowledges he lied when he claimed to have been awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest decoration for valor.
Alvarez made the claim in July 2007, speaking at a podium as an elected official at a water board meeting. He repeated the claim in conversations with co-workers. He also claimed to have been a Marine.
Alvarez was never in the armed forces. But when prosecutors went after him under the section of the Stolen Valor Act that made it a crime to falsely represent oneself as having been awarded "any decoration of medal authorized by Congress for the armed forces of the United States," the Alvarez camp was ready with a quick defense: The free speech clause in the First Amendment to the Constitution, Alvarez and his attorneys argued, protects a citizen's right to tell a lie, even about being a military hero.
Even Alvarez now acknowledges his lie, as his lawyer put it, was "despicable."
But was it a crime? Initially, Alvarez was sentenced to a $10,000 fine and a prison term for up to one year. Many military people, including some who've been awarded real medals for bravery, wanted Alvarez to serve the sentence.
But Alvarez's defenders argued that if Congress can make it a crime to lie about receiving a medal, it can criminalize almost anything.
Consider: If I try to impress you by bragging about my football prowess as the star quarterback for the Oakton Cougars, even though I've never even attended Oakton High School, should the Fairfax County Police drag me away in handcuffs?
If I use Brad Pitt's photo instead of my own on my Facebook page, should federal law enforcement throw me into the slammer?
The stolen valor issue is an emotional one.
An Afghanistan veteran who received a service cross, the nation's second highest award for valor, said in a June 28 telephone interview that, "When people lie about receiving awards, it's a kind of identity theft. They're stealing the identities of real Americans who fought and in some cases died for our country." Real heroes rarely glorify themselves and this service member asked me not to use his name.
"The system worked. It just didn't work the way I wanted it to," said former Army Sgt. C. Douglas Sterner of Alexandria in another June 28 telephone interview. Sterner maintains a website about military valor (www.homeofheroes.com). "We're not finished yet." Sterner has hopes for a revised version of old law, the Stolen Valor Act of 2011 also called H.R.1775, which has been in the works since last year. "I believe the [Supreme Court] justices said, 'Come back to us with a bill that is constitutional.'"
Sterner used stronger language when interviewed on NBC television news, saying that some way would still be found to put fake war heroes behind bars. Most observers believe, however, that neither H.R. 1775 nor any other new effort to penalize lying about military awards has any real chance of being enacted on Capitol Hill.
About me: I was in the Air Force from 1957 to 1960, served in Korea, and have never played football.
I'm interested in the "stolen valor" issue because I write books, magazine articles and newspaper columns about military affairs, working in my home office in Oakton. My current book, "Mission to Berlin," is about American B-17 Flying Fortress crews in World War II and includes many real-world accounts of valor in combat. I was initially in favor of making it a crime to lie about being a recipient of a military medal. Now, however, I agree with the Supreme Court that this kind of lying, while reprehensible, should not be a crime. Most of my military-veteran friends are on the other side of the argument.


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The fine track record that Seattle filmmaker Lynn Shelton had established with "Humpday" and "Your Sister's Sister" met a speed bump "Touchy Feely," which attracted mixed reviews. (Here's TOH's interview with Shelton and star Rosemarie DeWitt.) Her latest title "Laggies" was scooped up by A24 at Sun...Read More »
It documents the essence of daily life in a coastal region, avoiding both a romantic vision of island lifestyle and an overly academic approach to environmental and public health topics.Read More »
You may remember earlier this year seeing a rather rail-thin Jake Gyllenhaal at red carpets and other public appearances. You also might remember reports that the actor had to go to the hospital because he had badly cut his hand with glass after punching a mirror. No, this wasn't the sign of Hollywo...Read More »
Plus: Why Radiohead's music is used in movies so badly, and the trouble with film preservation and "Star Wars."Read More »
When you're a teenager, everything feels like it's life or death; each decision has an irrevocable ripple effect that you will experience forever. But in "If I Stay," the very decision to stay alive (or not) hangs in the balance, and it's a choice that Chloë Moretz will have to make.Read More »
The films deal with a variety of issues, including the status of refugees ("Evaporating Borders"), corruption in Communist regimes ("Uncle Tony, Three Fools and the Secret Service"), and the brave women of Tahrir Square ("Private Revolutions - Young, Female, Egyptian").Read More »
"Good, idiotic matinee entertainment" or "decidedly non-legendary"?Read More »
As part of its commitment to support national cinematography production Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund offers on its second year in a row a grand total of USD $138,240 to Mexican projects.Read More »
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may have seen acts of bravery, but they have been overshadowed by conduct from U.S. soldiers that raise troubling questions about the military's engagement in the region, and in particular, their own interior culture. And "The Kill Team" exposes yet another story tha...Read More »
It's a slumgullion stew, this movie, but it's all held together by the clear, simple movement of the plot, the quest of the characters to get to the front of the train. It's a focused quest, a narrow one, and it structures the characters' actions and the viewers' hopes and fears.Read More »
One of the more heartbreaking and infuriating headlines of the past few days has come from New York City. Last Friday, five NYPD officers engaged with 43-year-old Eric Garner, who was stopped under suspicion of selling untaxed cigarettes. The situation escalated with the officers smothering and chok...Read More »
It could never decide whether it wanted to be a straight horror film, a family drama, or a thriller and fell just below all three.Read More »
How do you make a comedy about contemporary race relations in America, without being reductive or offensive? Hell, don't ask us, but writer/director Justin Simien seems to have figured it out and then some. His "Dear White People" was a buzz title at this year's Sundance Film Festival, winning the S...Read More »
Exclusive to Indiewire readers: a whole year of beautifully curated indie cinemaRead More »
The new project that David Lynch fans have been waiting for.Read More »
It was just last week when we explored the state of the rom-com, 25 years after the release of the still excellent, funny and very real "When Harry Met Sally." Indeed, the landscape these days is pretty dire for the genre, but like we said, there are gems to be found in smaller, indie films. And one...Read More »
New S&A Column - Ask Cybel The DP (Cinematographer Extraordinaire)Read More »
TIFF will close out the 2014 festival with "A Little Chaos." The period film is led by Kate Winslet, with Stanley Tucci, Matthias Schoenaerts and Alan Rickman (who also directs) in support in this film that has a fairly unconventional plot.Read More »
Its BET premiere on August 2 will mark its first ancillary release since its 2012 theatrical run, which should be music to the ears of many of you who still haven't seen the acclaimed drama.Read More »
Katt Williams will return to HBO for his second stand-up comedy special on the network, now set for an August 16 at 10 PM debut on HBO.Read More »


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Kraft to eliminate 8,000 jobs, close up to 20 plants
January 31, 2006
Kraft Foods Inc., the nation''s largest food manufacturer, said January 30 it would eliminate 8,000 more jobs, or about 8 percent of its work force, and close up to 20 production plants as it broadens an ongoing restructuring effort, the Associated Press reports. Kraft said the cuts would save an additional $700 million in annual costs, atop a targeted $450 million in savings it already had hoped to achieve through a restructuring that began in January 2004. Northfield, Illinois-based Kraft already had announced closures of 19 production facilities and the elimination of 5,500 jobs. Kraft said that those efforts are on track, but it is expanding the restructuring plans to include more cuts. The company said it intends to close plants in Broadmeadows, Victoria in Australia and Hoover, Ala., but did not announce the other facilities it plans to close. Kraft also said it would trim 10 percent of its brand portfolio. Kraft said the additional cuts would cost the company $2.5 billion, bringing the total cost of its overall restructuring to $3.7 billion.