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2013 Aprilia Caponord 1200
Here are our first impressions of the technological new touring marvel from Aprilia.
Aprilia is going after Ducati's Multistrada big time with the new Caponord 1200. They've taken the big 1200 V-twin from its Dorsoduro 1200 model and tuned it for touring perfection with torque in all the right places. The Caponord 1200 is comfortable with a not too high seat and very good ergonomics. I tested the Travel Pack version which features hard luggage, a centre stand, ADD (Aprilia dynamic damping), traction control and ABS brakes.
The most impressive thing with the new Caponord is its handling abilities and how it all comes together with the extensive use of electronics. Aprilia's Dynamic Damping system is a definite step up from Ducati's simpler Skyhook system. I struggled to put a foot wrong out on the gorgeous Sardinian roads and the Caponord 1200 makes any rider pretty fast from the word go. Solid is my impression of the super stable chassis which stays calm in any situation helped in a very large part by the ADD system. More and video here
2013 MV Agusta F4 and F4 RR First impressions
This week I have tested the 2013 versions of the MV Agusta F4 and F4 RR at Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia. Both bikes has been fitted with MV's latest electronics package with lean sensors, electronically assisted shift and more. The F4 RR is the absolute MV Agusta flagship model and now sports electrically controlled Ohlins suspension and steering damper controlled by a dedicated Ohlins ECU unit. This means that you can change everything but preload from the dashboard of the motorcycle. The F4 RR also features a new 14,000rpm rev limit and it produces a claimed 201 horsepower @13,600rpm whilst the standard and R model has to settle with "only" 195 horsepower @13,400rpm.
Much More Here including video
2013 MV Agusta Brutale 800 First Impressions and video
The new Brutale 800 differs from its 675 little brother in one simple fact; Ferocity! The 2013 MV Agusta Brutale 800 is simply put a more brutal motorcycle even more suitable to its name. The engine capacity has increased by 125cc but that just looks like a simple figure. In real life the Brutale 800 pulls a lot stronger and puts more excitement into a motorcyclists life. From around 5.000rpm the big triple explodes into its brutal beginning of the best. Don't forget the MV Agusta four cylinders and the Brutale 1090RR, the three cylinder 800 is still their junior but now the gap between the 675 and the 1090 is truly closed. The Brutale line-up is completed. 125 horsepower to take care of the lightweight 167 (claimed dry weight-approx 189kg ready to ride) is plentiful and everything else apart from tyres and suspension is pretty much the same as on the 675.
More pictures and video here
First impressions from Cannes...
The all new Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring is the most comfortable beast ever to leave the Mandello del Lario factory gates. The plush seat kept me comfortable and happy during our whole 200 kilometre test ride in Cannes.
There's some excessive heat dissipation from those big new cylinder heads that hits just below my knees and luckily for us the temperature only ranged between 13-20 degrees Celsius.
The new 1380cc air-cooled V90 is very impressive and whilst I preferred to keep her under 2,000 rpm it gets really lively all the way up past 5,000rpm. The new 1400 is a really flexible engine which hasn't sacrificed its low end sweet spot to achieve an almost sporty top end. That's unusual for this size cruiser. More here
First video with exhaust sound:
40 images and the video here!
2013 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Touring launch – The suspension rises
Ducati Skyhook Suspension; what a name! It sounds like a component out of Luke Skywalker's Landspeeder. Just like a Jedi the Skyhook suspension system uses "the force" or an imaginary X figure to calculate what it should do. Skyhook is truly high tech and the result of thinking outside of the box. Skyhook is a fantastic feature and I'll try to explain more in this test.
Words: Tor Sagen/Photo: Milagro
Official Honda HRC press release and video:
Honda has unveiled its CRF450 Rally model at the 2012 International Motorcycle, Scooter and Bike Fair in Cologne, Germany. The new machine will compete in the motorcycle class in the 2013 Dakar Rally to be held next January.From 1981, Honda competed nine times in the forerunner of the current Dakar Rally, the Paris-Dakar Rally. Cyril Neveu from France rode Honda to its first victory in 1982 in the race's fourth year and, from 1986 to 1989, Honda won four consecutive titles for an overall record of five victories in nine years. More images and video here
First impressions, large photo gallery and action video from the Bilbao launch here
Next week you can read all about Ducati's new version of the popular Multistrada 1200 touring and do-it-all machine. We'll test the new Skyhook suspension in Bilbao shortly. More pictures here. Tor
We've been able to pull a small or big wheelie on most bikes over the years and here's a compilation. 168 wheelies on 79 bikes by 16 different manufacturers. From 125cc to 2.300cc Enjoy! Wheelies
In case you haven't noticed Tor Sagen is a freelance motorcycle journalist and have to give clients priority on publishing full reviews. Now our self imposed embargo has been lifted on the three hottest superbikes in the world and all three reviews has been published in full with all the best photography and a lot of it plus videos of course. There's a lot to read about these three superbikes that has been tested all over the world. Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC SE was tested at one of the best test circuits in the world, Jerez. It's fast, technical, always dry and doesn't give a rider much time to breathe but we love it. Then the BMW S 1000 RR that we tested on the northernmost roadracing circuit in the world, Arctic Circle Raceway. We also tested the RR on the road taking it to the Arctic Circle point itself before the racing and testing started on the circuit. Finally the Ducati Panigale 1199 S that we tested at the ultra fast Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. I nearly though about reducing my helmet size from Large to Medium after the 1.3 kilometre straight was negotiated a few times. Here are the links:
Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC SE BMW S 1000 RR Ducati Panigale 1199 S Trilogy of speed
NEW comprehensive information from BMW US on the HP4:
Since US magazines are really anal with technical details and you can read page up and down about a new piston here's the latest BMW US press release describing the HP4 down to the finest detail. We don't want to write articles like that so here's the entire press release for those interested in deep tech porn (bottom of the page). I'm more of a tech erotica person myself. Enjoy! Tor
We've just taken delivery of some new riding kit that'll help us through the autumn and winter hopefully filled with bike tests! Check out more details here and here.
BMW have done what we hoped for and gone all the way with the S 1000 RR. It looks exactly like the S 1000 RR but its name is simply HP4. HP stands for High Performance and 4 for the number of cylinders. It follows in the tradition of the HP2 Enduro, Sport and Megamoto where a limited production model with all the tricks in the book thrown at it is launched. The key performance figures are 193 horsepower and 169 kilo dry weight (199 kilo ready to ride) New is also a 200 section rear tyre (we've already tested the S 1000 RR with a 200/55-ZR17 section rear tyre on track with very good results) and DDC (Dynamic Damping Control) as the first BMW motorcycle. The HP4 forms BMW's Superbike and Superstock racing homologation model so it has to produce at least 1000 HP4's in 2012 as it'll be a first time application for the HP4 in World Superbike. New is also launch and wheelie control so the 2012 BMW HP4 pretty much places itself right up there in racing gadgetry with the Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC SE. BMW means serious business with the HP4. Expect to have to fork out around €20.000 for this wunderbahr motorrad. Check out all the high rez photos and further details here
BMW C Evolution
Here's my full video review unedited from Varese, Italy. Enjoy.
It's been a big year for scooters with Aprilia, BMW and Piaggio launching flagship scooters. Here's a little history and a large photo gallery of scooters from 1946 to 2012. Maxi Scooters Blog
Varese, July 5th.
Finally MV Agusta have done a run of 675cc Brutale motorcycles and allowed the first journalists to test them.
My first impressions is that of a very light and tight motorcycle with a very good chassis. The 110 horsepower version of the newly developed Trepistoni engine feels very suitable in the Brutale chassis which isn't a million miles away from the F3 chassis. In fact the swing arm and split trellis frame is the same as found on the F3 sport motorcycle. At 167 kilos dry the Brutale 675 is light and very easy to flick from side to side. Being so light and having such a rigid chassis the radial Brembo callipers makes stopping both easy and safe with serious power and authority. The 675cc triple engine is very compact and produces great power and more torque earlier in the powerband than the F3. This enabled me to use higher gears and good acceleration was possible from 4.500rpm which is low for such a small engine. More here
Honda have announced its intention to compete in the 2013 Dakar rally with a works team for the first time in 23 years. Those old enough will remember the iconic Honda Africa Twin styled like a Dakar rally machine. The team will simply be called Team HRC. The 4 man strong team consists of Helder Rodrigues, Felipe Zanol, Sam Sunderland and Javier Pizzolito. The prototype rally machine will be based on the CRF450X and kit parts will also be made available to a limited number of non factory teams. See the Honda Racing Corporation President's comments here
BMW have just released the first pictures and info on the 2013 model year of the F 650 GS replacement the F 700 GS and the new F 800 GS. Both models are 2013 specification but will be available in autumn 2012. More info in the individual links. Tor
2013 BMW F 700 GS 2013 BMW F 800 GS BMW F 800 GS test BMW F 650 GS test BMW R 1200 GS Rallye test BMW R 1200 GS Adventure test
Never was the Dakar rally more exciting than when BMW sported factory teams; from the 80's original GS to the Rally superbike 900RR. My all time favourite BMW gravel munchers are the HP2 Enduro and the 900RR rally Dakar winning factory bike. The 2012 BMW R 1200 GS Rallye isn't as extreme as any of these bikes it merely pays homage and it is what it is a special version of the R 1200 GS.
Words: Tor Sagen Photography: Danielle Boxall More here
One of the most incredible tours I have ever done is now completed and we have reached Istanbul successfully with only two tyres having to be replaced, one due to rim damage and one due to an imbalance in the Softail Slim's chassis. We have ridden more than 3,000 kilometres through six countries and two continents. We have visited amazing villas and castles in Slovenia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey. The kick off in Venice was done in style at a classic Venetian hotel and from there we had 17 Harley-Davidson models ranging from Dyna's, Sportsters, Softails, V-rod's and Tourers. Much more coming from this incredible adventure both in a full video documentary and a comprehensive write up. Stay tuned! Tor Sagen Photo: Milagro More photo's here
Video teaser:
I have just come back from Italy and the Headbanger Motorcycles factory where I have tested pretty much all of the new Headbanger motorcycles. Here's a photo gallery of the Foxy Lady Bobber, Hollister Long, Woodstock Boogie Bobber, High Flyin', Summertime, Woodstock Boogie Ape, Foxy Lady Classic, Hollister and Woodstock Boogie Bobber. Enjoy the shots. First impressions coming soon. Tor Sagen
I'm just back from Paris where I have tested the all new Piaggio X10 maxi GT scooter.
Back in 1993 Piaggio had developed the Hexagon which became the world's first so called GT scooter. Through the X7 to the all new X10 Piaggio have developed its new flagship scooter and in Paris I got to sample the 350cc version of the X10. Piaggio will offer the X10 as a 125, 350 and 500cc version. When I arrived in Paris I was told that the 500cc version wouldn't hit production until in May 2012 so I had to make do with the 350cc version which proved to be a nippy tool around Paris's busy streets.
Words: Tor Sagen Photography: Milagro More here
Check out Tor Sagen's first impressions of the V7 Racer V7 Stone and V7 Special and our full video review.
Read our review of the 2011 model tested in Jerez here and the 2012 model tested in Sicily here.
Action video:
On paper Aprilia have merely upgraded a few things and as such it isn't the most interesting new motorcycle of 2012. The upgrades include new Aprilia wheels that are 2,7 kilos lighter than previous models. This reduces unsprung weight and I felt this during my test as the "new" Dorsoduro is more responsive than ever before. 300 additional grams have been saved by using a thinner plastic mould for the front mudguard, using a less bulky exhaust heat protector and a new number plate holder. The 1200cc V-twin is also a little bit more powerful than before without it being revealed in the tech specs. More here
BMW's C 650 GT luxury scooter is the one that is the most BMW of the two new scooters launched in Madrid. Here you have a big and comfortable seat, 60 litres storage capacity under the seat, electrically adjusted windshield and extensive touring fairing. On my morning ride out of Madrid and into the mountains the temperature dropped from around 11 degrees Celsius and down to below 7 degrees. Yes it was a rather cold morning so I knew how to appreciate my luck in starting my morning on the GT and finishing my day on the 600 Sport. That's because the GT had the optional extras of heated grips and seat and if on auto the big BMW scooter automatically adjusts the heating level to the temperature and speed of the vehicle. And as we were cruising out of Madrid on the motorway we were doing a constant 120km/h and more. The windshield is pure luxury... More here including onboard video
BMW's new C 600 Sport is aimed directly at Yamaha's Tmax in particular but also opens up additional space in the segment towards the upper range. It's hard to see why the BMW C 600 Sport shouldn't take the benchmark spot after this. The Sport is the C 650 GT's sportier brother stripped of the luxury comfort items and with different fairing and ergonomics. More here
In the next couple of weeks you'll find me in Madrid with BMW and in Sicily with Aprilia. Stay tuned! Tor @torsagen
At a freezing Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France I hooked up with MV Agusta's senior designer, Adrian Morton. Adrian is an Englishman with an impeccable CV in bike design involving mouth watering designs of motorcycles from Benelli, Ducati and MV Agusta. Morton is himself a motorcycle rider and is a genuinely down to earth guy. Just the type of bloke you'd expect to bump into at a bike rally. Read the interview here
The 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale S is an absolute animal out on the circuit but in a very good way. Don't get me wrong, it's actually much easier to ride it fast than the 1198 SP that it replaces but nobody in their right mind would call the sheer heart stopping acceleration of the Panigale anything but brutal! The response from the all new 1199cc twin in the higher revs is just insane and it's astonishingly fast. In advance I had been looking forward to the 1.2 km straight, the longest in the F1 circus. Upon having finished my second session I hated it because we tested on a windy day and it was impossible to move in a complete straight line and it wobbled up and over 200km/h and the sheer acceleration even above 250km/h created lots of pressure inside my helmet, much like in an airplane and my ears popped after riding. That's some acceleration for you! The chassis is beautiful and I could flick the 1200cc sports bike through the s-bends like it was a 600! The amount of grip from the Pirelli Supercorsa's we tested even with SC2 compound on the slick sides was impressive considering the amound of sand on the circuit due to the strong winds. The Brembo Monoblock brakes are equally impressive and even with EBC on the tail swaggered like a mad dog if I grabbed them hard enough! This is what I call a fun day! The ultimate motorcycle and the ultimate launch. By Tor Sagen/Photo: Milagro
Ducati admitted to me that they have no idea how to ever trump this one. Yas Marina is a circuit surrounding a 5 star hotel in Abu Dhabi, we simply walked from breakfast straight to the circuit in the morning. How good is that? Definitely the most spectacular launch I have ever attended and probably the most spectacular motorcycle I have ever ridden too.
Greetings from Abu Dhabi! I'm testing the Ducati 1199 Panigale S at Yas Marina and soon you'll get my first impressions, onboard video and much more! Tor Sagen
Action video
First impressions coming.
Randy De Puniet recently got engaged to Australian model Lauren Vickers. It's clearly evident De Puniet has been more successful off the track than on the track these last few years. This may well change now that De Puniet will ride the Aprilia powered 1000cc MotoGP CRT (Claiming Rule Team) prototype in 2012. More here including the screenshot Miss Vickers recently revealed on twitter involving a lovesick Italian man. Photo Lauren Vickers, twitter.
In only two weeks I'll test these new Harley-Davidson models that we can see the outline of in this screen shot from Harley-Davidson. At least one (if not both) will join the rest of the understated cool Dark Custom range. More info on the bikes as soon as Harley-Davidson release info. Tor
These are our latest addition to our wardrobe. The Drift Leather jacket is a classic motorcycle jacket of vintage design but with Alpinestars latest protection solutions. I'll tell you more about it as soon as it's in full use. To go with this or supermotard or street riding we will use the Alloy leather gloves, a short summer glove. Tor
26.01.2012 It's with frightful delight that we can reveal that we will test the all new three cylinder MV Agusta F3 at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit in the south of France in only two weeks time. February 2012 will be a historic motorcycling month with launches of two of the highest anticipated new sportbikes in years. Namely the MV Agusta F3 first and then the Ducati 1199 Panigale and we're present at both. for the latest impressions etc from these launches. Tor Sagen
Here's a video of the three-cylinder Brutale. Expect an official F3 video very soon!
Greetings from Raptors & Rockets HQ. I have some good news regarding what I'll be testing in the near future. First on the schedule are MV Agusta's 2012 in-line four models. The Brutale R 1090, Brutale RR 1090 and the F4 R Corsacorta on a yet to be named circuit. Then I'm jetting off to Spain to test Harley-Davidson's latest addition, and yet to be named, to the Dark Custom range. Then in February the big one that I know many people are waiting for, the 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale world launch at Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. Following this we should get confirmation on launch details for Aprilia's new maxi scooter, the SRV850 and Moto Guzzi's V7 range. Plenty to look forward to I should think! Don't forget to follow me on twitter @torsagen for live test updates and more. Tor Sagen
New additions to the 2012 riding kit includes the 2012 Alpinestars Supertech R boots, Suomy Capirex SE Apex and Suomy Jet 70's Matt Black helmets. The leather suit in the pictures is the Alpinestars Tech 1-R suit that has all the latest in riding safety and it's as comfortable as racing suits get. I'll continue using my Alpinestars Barcelona leather jacket for more relaxed testing service. I will also add the TOR hoodie to the shop shortly. More details on all this soon. Ride safe. Tor
If TOR did motivational posters...@17,000 MPH TOR 17000
MV Agusta F4 full test!
Last night, December 6th at 23:32 hours our ever popular YouTube channel hit a magical 6.666 subscribers and with it more than 37 million views. This made us very happy so subscriber number 6666 gets a custom T-shirt. We promise to do the same for number 7.777, 8.888 and so on if verifiable. Who knows, they may become collectable! Tor
Nottingham, December 2011. Alpinestars presented its groundbreaking new Air Bag racing suit to the UK press at one of their UK dealers. The suit based on the Racing Replica features a highly sophisticated "ECU" so to say connected to five active sensors (when armed) on the suit. These sensors knows when a rider is moving at low speed on a motorcycle and then it arms itself provided that the 8 hour capacity battery is sufficiently charged. In active mode the sensors samples data every second millisecond from all five sensors and when armed Alpinestars algorithms are able to determine whether the rider is having a crash or not. If the sensors and the control unit determines you are crashing the micro processor initiates a firing process. Within 45 milliseconds one of the nitrogen gas canisters will have inflated the air bags by help of a pyrotechnic charge. More here
The EICMA 2011 photo gallery is now complete. Check it out, it's all on one page. EICMA 2011
Moto Guzzi showed us some new V7's that we like very much and also the California 90, Nevada 750 and Norge GT8V. Enjoy this photo gallery. The V7 Racer X is competing for most beautiful bike of the show along with the 1199 Panigale and F3. I want one. Tor
2012 Moto Guzzi News 2012 Honda News
Honda launched the 2012 CBR1000RR Fireblade, Crosstourer, NC700S, NC700X, GL1800 GoldWing, Integra, VFR1200F and Vision. Much more here on the dedicated 2012 Honda page. Some gorgeous Italian babes and some smiling Japanese men. Video
Design a personalized gift at Zazzle.
2012 Headbanger Motorcycles
Here you'll find the entire 2012 Headbanger motorcycles range including the 2012 news and colours. Look out for our test of all these soon. We've also updated with Gilera and Harley-Davidson images on the EICMA 2011 page.
Click on this link to check out not only the new DB9 Brivido and DB10 Bimotard, but also the Evo models available in 2012 from the Rimini factory. Ruben Xaus is now involved with something Bimota calls Bimota Experience. Check out Ruben on the DB8 on the Bimota 2012 News page. Tor Sagen EICMA 2011
Check out all OUR photos and videos of the Panigale S. Launch will take place in February.
More here
I'm in Milan now and the coverage has hence started. I'll be tweeting, FB'ing and YouTube'ing as well. Enjoy the coverage! EICMA 2011 coverage Tor Sagen
Sepang, October 23 2011 was to be 24 year old Marco Simoncelli's last race where the first lap of the race also became the promising Italian's last full lap. What could easily have ended in just a minor racing incident turned into one of the the biggest tragedies MotoGP has seen since Jarno Saarinen and Renzo Pasolini both died in a pile up at the 1973 Monza GP. By: Tor Sagen/Photography: Honda Racing Corporation/AGV
Simoncelli's first lap consisted of an eventful exchange of positions, corner to corner racing, between the Italian and Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista. Just before the fatal crash it was Simoncelli that was in front. Whilst pushing through the first corner on lap 2... Read the whole story here including what The Medical Director said and HRC's tribute.
Tor's been in the Helps-Anybody-Look-Good business since the Viking ages. We know what we're doing. People in magazines wear this stuff. Fashion people, sporty people with tattoos. People who know how to wheelie a motorbike. People who don't have to wear a business suit everyday. People who are hell-bent for leather. All designs fit perfectly surrounded by a black leather jacket. Go on son, we know you want to. Here's our new shop
View trainers View T-shirts
Ducati have now released the first official images of the Streetfighter 848 with a new version of the Testastretta 848 engine found in the 848 EVO. It will be available in Red, yellow and matt black in November 2011. See more images and video here
Streetfighter Streetfighter 848
Check out the photos of the tweaked 2012 Triumph Daytona 675. Not much is new but we have used the opportunity to update our pages with the full 2009 and 2011 reviews of the bike. Here's the 2012 page.
2006 Daytona 675 2009 Daytona 675 2011 Daytona 675R 2012 Daytona 675
Meet Massimo Bordi, the inventor of the 4-valve Desmo found in every modern liquid-cooled Ducati. He was the General Director of Ducati and now he performs the same role in MV Agusta. In this exclusive interview Bordi talks about the Desmo, the 851/888/916 and Monster and a lot more. Bordi also reveals that MV Agusta will enter World Superbike with its F4 model and that both the F3 and F4 are being further developed at Ferrari's HPE. Will we see a MV Agusta Desmo? Read the interview here.
Watch this video to see which is the top dog in the 600 class in 2011.
MV Agusta CEO Giovanni Castiglioni speaks with Tor Sagen.
"I have the first F4, but not the one presented to the public. It was a 916 with a four cylinder engine with a Cagiva logo." "The F4 RR is our 911 Turbo." "We are working on a third 675cc bike which is a MV Agusta interpretation of what could be a motard." "Take a bike, any bike you want and cover its brand and tell me which bike it is. 90% of the time you don't know. With an MV Agusta you know, you say this is an MV." "Small companies like MV Agusta should remain family owned." "Harley-Davidson, I'm not saying they did badly for this company; they did incredibly well for this company. But on the financial side and other sides everything went slower and a bit more bureaucratic." "Prototype racing isn't for us, it's a big show but we can't afford MotoGP it's not for a small company." "Superbike racing is right for us. It takes time to get there; it's difficult as the brand wants so much. We don't go racing to finish between 5th or 10th place, we go to win." Read the full interview here
The 2012 MV Agusta F4 RR Corsacorta produces a claimed 200 horsepower @13,400rpm and 114Nm @ 9,200rpm. 998cc.Top speed is a claimed 298km/h - 185Mph. It will do 205km/h - 128Mph in third gear. Dry weight: 192kg. We'll test it in Italy in September. Photo gallery here.
Claudio Castiglioni was born 22.11.1946 and died of illness 17.08.2011 64 years old. Claudio and Gianfranco Castiglioni inherited the Cagiva company from their father Giovanni in 1978. From 1950 to 1978 Cagiva produced small metal parts but Giovanni's sons were more interested in motorcycles. Cagiva made successes in 500GP in the 2-stroke era and also in the Paris-Dakar race with their offroad machines. In 1985 Cagiva bought Bologna firms Ducati and Moto Morini followed by Husqvarna in 1987 and MV Agusta in 1991. After achieving great success particularly with the Monster model and on the race tracks with the 916-996-998 models Castiglioni sensed that there'd be a V90 onslaught aimed at Ducati. In 1996 he started selling off Ducati shares which enabled a 1997 launch of the 750cc MV Agusta F4 (in production by 1999). In 1998 the remaining Ducati shares were sold and Aprilia, Honda and Suzuki started their liquid-cooled V-twin fight back against Ducati both on the roads and race tracks resulting in a less dominating Ducati presence as Castiglioni had predicted. Cagiva then started buying Suzuki twin engines to power its Raptor range rather than Ducati engines which had been the case in the eighties. Cagiva was to re-create the Monster success with the Raptor whilst MV Agusta were to re-create the 916 success with the F4. This never quite happened and the MV Brutale came and the Cagiva Raptor all but went. Change in ownership and financial ups and downs culminated in the sale of a healthy Husqvarna to BMW in 2007 which enabled 100% effort into MV Agusta again for a refresh which resulted in Harley-Davidson buying the MV Agusta holding company in 2009 injecting lots of fresh R&D cash. This resulted in the new 1000cc and 675cc engines that represent MV Agusta anno 2011 one year after Castiglioni bought MV Agusta back from Harley-Davidson for the symbolic sum of one Euro. Claudio Castiglioni will be remembered for his great contribution to motorcycling in the last 30 years. His son Giovanni Castiglioni had already taken over the day to day running of MV Agusta along with Massimo Bordi so the company is presently in very good hands. By Tor Sagen Follow this link for MV Agusta's press release regarding their President's death and Tor Sagen's 2008 interview with Claudio Castiglioni.
I am just back from the Arctic Circle and Arctic Circle Raceway in Norway. I have spent a whole week up north and four of them testing the 2011 BMW S 1000 RR and Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa, Diablo Superbike Pro and Superbike SC2 racing tyres and slicks in association with Bikeport.no. I have also done my Road Racing license, done my first race (1000 Club Race where I participated in the Rookie 1000 class) and instructed road riders in the art of track riding. The 2011 BMW S 1000 RR is no less than a track ready monster. I did decent lap times in the end with a bog standard superbike that you can buy in the shop. The main modification of course were the slick tyres from Pirelli and particularly the full on race Superbike tyres changes the Beemer into something very mean and angry that can handle insane cornering in safety. I also did a whole day on the Pirelli Superbike Pro slicks that have been designed to last for at least two hard days on track without the necessity of tyre warmers. They do of course work better straight away with tyre warmers but I tried both and even used them both for my qualifying session and for the race. Had I had a dedicated mechanic I'd put the SC2's on for the race but realistically I had no chance to change tyres myself and then be ready for race with warmed up SC2's and all in only 15 odd minutes. More here
Greetings from the ACR Vairano test circuit just south of Milan. I've just finished testing the all new Aprilia RS4 which is Aprilia's first step away from the 2-strokes that made them famous. Aprilia will still sell the much sought after RS 125 2-stroke alongside its new 4-stroke 125 but it's obvious that it will be phased out at some point. Despite being restricted to 15 horsepower and 11Nm of torque the small single cylinder race bike provided plenty of fun on the circuit. Tor More here
I'm just back from the MV Agusta factory in Varese where I have tested MV's first serious attempt at something you could be stretched to call a "budget" motorcycle, the all black Brutale 920. The very team that runs MV Agusta today were the very same team that brought Ducati its first successes since the 70's. Mr Desmodromic, Massimo Bordi, told me that it was his idea back in the early 90's to launch the first Monster Dark. The idea being to justify a lower price you remove some exclusive components, replace them with slightly cheaper ones and then paint it all black. This basically is what MV Agusta have done with the Brutale 920. Saying that though, the 920 doesn't share its 921cc engine with any other Brutale so it's definitely a stand alone model and not a budget version of the 990 R. The engine is still a growling in-line four but with a 129 horsepower version of the in-line four. The 990 R features a 139 horsepower engine of 998cc. Giovanni Castiglioni told me in our exclusive interview that the MV Agusta in-line four model range now is complete. It comprises of the three Brutale models (920, 990 R and 1090 RR) and the F4 and F4 RR. The Brutale 920 albeit having softer but still quality suspension still feels very much like an exclusive MV Agusta but now at less than £10K. With full traction control and riding modes and a beautiful engine the Brutale 920 comes across as something of a bargain. Read my full review soon. By Tor Sagen Photo: Milagro
Brutale 920 Brutale 990 R Brutale 1090 RR F4
More 2011 news here
Syndication is the magic word for any freelancer. Why work exclusively for one in one country when you can work for many? Raptors & Rockets is expanding and we need your help.
Photographers: If you are a freelance motorcycle photographer we can help with syndication. We have clients interested in photo shows from major events or particularly outstanding photography of special motorcycles. Even if you are not a professional we need your help. Have you been lucky and snapped a prototype motorcycle no one knows about at a remote location? Cash in and get your pictures syndicated all over the world with major motorcycle publication houses. If you have the material then I have the contacts to move your pictures into the spotlight for cash. In particular we are looking for Japanese, German, Italian, US, UK and Spanish spy-snappers.
Writers: If you are a freelance motorcycle writer and feel you are not syndicated enough then contact us. As long as it does not conflict with any of the launches that we attend we are willing to syndicate your material. In particular if your material has got news value and good picture material. English is always best, but on some occasions we will be able to syndicate in various languages. But I must also always get an English version. If you are not a professional writer we are still interested in all sorts of different information's about new bikes and developments in the industry. These pieces of information can also generate cash.
Designers: Hugo van Waaijen, Luc1, Astroman and many others has now been published all over the world as a result of working with Raptors & Rockets. It is your choice whether you want to design anonymously or with full name credit. There will always be a need for brilliant designers and you could be one of them. Show us your stuff and get syndicated! Note to all: send me low resolution stuff as examples of your work. I will ask for high resolution material when needed.
For more information contact Tor Sagen
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My eldest son Justin, who has moderate autism, rushes in the door. He stops for several seconds to ditch his sneakers so my cry of "Shoes!" won't follow him down the hallway to the refrigerator, where he's searching for his after-school snack.
After almost tripping over his coat, that I'll remind him to hang up for the millionth time (in some ways, all kids are the same), I walk into the kitchen with his backpack to check on his progress.
He's already munching away contentedly, so I take the moment to reach into his backpack for his iPad and any goodies hidden within. As I delve into the bag, my hand brushes construction paper bundled in with his softest gloves. I extract it from its warm nest and smile.
It's my Valentine.
The boys' teachers have always been great about finding the time in school for the kids to create their exquisite constructions. Over the last few years my youngest son Zach has presented me with hearts of multiple shapes and sizes, with loving inscriptions proclaiming his feelings for me, and brightly colored drawings to accompany the sentiments.
He has proudly proclaimed, "He did this!" every single year since he started pre-school, and has made a point of bestowing his gift to me with great gusto. Zach completely understands the ritual, has hounded my husband two years straight to make sure he got Mommy "something."
I love this child.
Justin, however, has been a different story. Every year he's come home with his own version of Valentine's treasure, but try as I might, he's shown no interest in watching me open it.
I've tried at mealtimes when he's more focused. I've attempted to have him hand his original creation to me, but to no avail. The giving of gifts has been a non-event to him (receiving being far more fun in his opinion), so I've let the Valentine's exchange go.
Except this year, I don't have to.
As my son's rectangular message escapes its confines I see Justin's head whip around, and the whisper of a smile graces his mouth. He abandons his much-preferred DVD to walk the few steps across the kitchen to me, and gently takes his masterpiece from my fingers.
He closes it along the crease, smiles, looks me straight in the eyes, and returns it to my grasp. I open it and exclaim over both its beauty and the message within, the "I love you Mom" I can see he's had assistance scribing, but it has still been wrought by his own hand.
Justin throws his arms around me, inclines his head for the "forehead kiss" he sometimes prefers to the real thing, and retreats to his favorite film. Connection made, moment concluded.
Happy Valentines Day to me.
Nancy Mastola
7:54 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
sounds like the most wonderful Valentine's Day gift anyone could ask for.
Linda McCaffrey
8:31 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Thanks for sharing this wonderful moment! Love this!
Maryanne Adams
8:57 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful Valentine's Day gift!
Alice Tulecki
10:12 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Kim, what a beautiful personal story. Thanks so much for sharing. You touched my heart as well. God Bless you and yours.
Janet Tumelty
11:22 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
That is awesome, couldn't hold back the tears while reading. I'm sure it's a Valentine's Day you will always remember!
Norma palmarella
3:42 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
That is what valentines day is all about!
Shelly Selva
8:56 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Beautiful! Autism robs us of the intimacy most moms take for granted... A hug, kiss or even eye contact are rare moments we share with our children. What a wonderful love day gift!
Kimberlee Rutan McCafferty
3:47 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Those moments are truly precious gifts. Thanks for your response!

subset: commoncrawl


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Another puppy? I really shouldn't but...
Oh but how can you say no to those eyes?!?!
Go ahead. Get a puppy. Just don't tell your hubby that I influenced you.
LOL He said to go ahead and get it, but I'm still on the fence. I just feel so bad for the cute little guy. :( But I don't want our two dogs to feel ignored or crowded. I know, I'm a wuss.
I want another. He'll threatens abandon.
somehow, MCM, i feel like i know how this is gonna end.....post a pic, ok? :)


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VIDEO: Lakewood Remembers 9/11
Fallen Firefighters Memorial unveiled at Lakewood Fire Department during special ceremony on Sunday.
Every hand was on deck Sunday morning at the Lakewood Fire Department as Hundreds attended a special ceremony to remember and honor the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11, along with the four Lakewood firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The Lakewood Fallen Firefighter Memorial was unveiled to the community in an hourlong event with firefighters, local elected leaders and residents in attendance.
In this Article:


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Get delicious recipes like this from Home Cooking Made Easy.
Now is the time to make the most of those fresh June days to give your garden some TLC.
This recipe is the perfect healthy snack.
Here are some expert tips to help you pick the perfect foundation for your skin.
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PASADENA - It's a simple idea: Build a wholesale refrigerator, make it small enough for a farmer's truck and power it with solar panels.
The concept, called micro cold storage, also has the potential to transform the world, including rural farmers in India, farmers markets in Pasadena and clinics in Africa.
Caltech doctoral student Prakhar Mehrota recently submitted the idea and won a $20,000 first-place grant in the Dow Sustainability Student Challenge, which awards projects with the potential to solve world challenges.
"On a very large scale, if you look, it has applications all over the place," he said.
Mehrota is an aeronautics student, but in his spare time has developed micro cold storage with three colleagues who founded India-based Ecozen Solutions.
The idea originated as a solution for Indian farmers, who have struggled to cope with a boom-and-bust market that mostly rewards middlemen.
Potatoes are the staple crop, along with other fruits and vegetables. However, outlying areas often lack electricity and few cold storage warehouses are available, causing extreme surpluses at harvest and deflating prices.
"The farmer has to take this produce from his farm to the mandi, that's the market," Ecozen cofounder Devendra Gupta said from India, via Skype. "So crops that are sensitive to temperature, they need to be transported in a refrigerated transport. That is very costly. If the farmer has a refrigerated
The Ecozen team developed a portable, higher efficiency cold storage unit with photovoltaic panels that could be fitted onto a vehicle the size of a U-haul truck. That reduces the cooling load, unlike building-sized cold storage facilities.
"We're not trying to increase efficiency of existing PV panels," cofounder Prateek Singhal said in India. "We are trying to employ the efficiency of the whole refrigeration unit, so that the requirement of the PV panel is getting reduced."
Individual farmers might not be able to invest in one, but the team envisions groups of farmers buying a micro cold storage unit as a community.
If the potato market stabilizes, farmers could even diversify into other crops such as apples, oranges and bananas.
There's no prototype yet, but Dow's $20,000 grant will go toward building one, along with business grants by IT Bombay and the Economic Times.
"We are looking for about $15,000 more to get the prototype," Mehrota said.
The team could have a proof of concept ready to be tested at Indian farms within about five months, Singhal added.
There are plenty of other potential applications for micro cold storage, such as easy transport for malaria vaccines in Africa provided by the United Nations.
In a developed country such as the United States, interest in organic foods and local produce could make micro cold storage a viable option at farmers markets.
Mehrota visited the Pasadena Farmers Market to gauge interest, and found that storing meats are a top concern by vendors.
"Five farmers were ready to buy immediately," he said.


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Psychometric Test
7 Reasons
Why Businesses Use PeopleMaps As Their Psychometric Test of Choice
1) It's affordable. No hidden costs and you can enjoy reports for less than ÂŁ5 ($8)
2) Quick and easy to use.
3) Incredibly accurate reports.
4) Custom designed reports. You design what you actually want.
5) You can embed the questionnaire in your website and brand it as your own.
6) The PeopleMaps Personality Map and Compass, make it easy to see personality at a glance.
7) Reports written in plain English so anyone can use them.
Sign up for your FREE Account and try it for yourself
What is a Psychometric Test?
Here is an example of the psychometric test questionnaire.
You will see that it offers four statements and asks you to select which one is MOST like you.
It will then ask you to select which one is LEAST like you.
You will then be asked to select one of the two remaining statements; one of which will be MORE like you than the other.
The questions can be tricky as they come in pairs of statements. This is a feature that makes this questionnaire extremely accurate. Answering 50 to 100 simple A / B statements is a crude device compared to what you see here.
This is why with a mere 5 questions, the PeopleMaps Psychometric questionnaire can be so accurate.
There is much misunderstanding about what a psychometric test actually is. Firstly we are specifically talking about personality tests here, which is what most people mean when they use the term "psychometric test". All personality tests are psychometric tests, but not all psychometric tests are about personality.
For one it's not a test. I know that sounds crazy but it should be more accurately referred to as an assessment. You see a test implies that there is a right or wrong answer. That there is a good result or a bad result. That there is something that can be passed or failed. But there isn't.
- It's not possible to fail a psychometric test as it is not a test.
- There is no right or wrong answer.
- There is no such thing as a good or bad personality type.
It's no wonder that people get confused. Somewhere along the way we started referring to it as a test and it sort of stuck. Unfortunately that's how people view it and often view it negatively.
Instead you should use a psychometric test to enhance your understanding of self and others. It is not something anyone can pass or fail. It's about verbalising something that most of us have great difficulty with.
Your personality affects everything you say, think and do. Every decision you make is influenced by your personality, so it is important that you understand what's going on "under the hood".
Psychometric testing in recruitment
Business has been using psychometric testing for over fifty years. Each year industry spends over $100 million on personality profiling.
PeopleMaps has developed the first psychometric test designed specifically for recruitment.
The most common application is recruitment and candidate selection. It's very important that companies hire the right people and as they lose faith in traditional tools such as CVs, they are increasingly looking for better tools, such as personality testing.
Psychometric tests online have become increasingly popular as they offer a significant time saving. It used to be that a personality test took all day and people had to come and sit in a room for hours answering questions. Afterwards a consultant would interpret the results and produce a report. It was a long and expensive process.
With an online psychometric test, an employer can be reading a candidate's report in less than ten minutes.
Get your free account here and try it for yourself.
Psychometric testing in management
If you are in management then your success is determined by your ability to get results through your subordinates. This is why business psychology is a core skill in management today.
PeopleMaps has developed a library of personality topics to help managers understand each of their staff members. Through this deeper understanding managers can increase their productivity.
Topics include;
- How to communicate
- How to delegate
- How to lead
- How to reduce stress
- How to create an ideal work environment
Managers no longer need to try and figure all of this out for each member of their staff. A quick glance at their personality report will remind the manager of the most effective way to delegate to each staff member for instance.
You can sign up for an account and try out the management reports here.
Personality tests in personal development
If you are a coach or trainer then an understanding of your clients or students is essential. Personality is the bedrock of personal development.
What is good advice for one person is the completely wrong advice for another. A personality report is the starting point of personal development. PeopleMaps provides coaches with a library of topics on a wide range of subjects, so they may design and build the report their client actually needs. Jung was a great believer in striving towards realizing our potential, no matter what age.
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Psychometric Tests FAQ
Let's put some myths to bed.
1) Long questionnaires do not produce more accuracy. Users get bored and this adversely affects the results. This is one of the reasons the PeopleMaps questionnaire returns such amazingly accurate results even though the questionnaire only takes five minutes.
2) You don't need a consultant to read the report to you if the reports are written in plain English. PeopleMaps writes all its reports in plain English. No specialist knowledge is required.
3) You do not need to go an a training course for days to use professional psychometric testing. With PeopleMaps you will be up and running in ten minutes.
4) Online personality testing is how things are done in the 21st century. There is no reason to drag everyone into a room and have them complete a questionnaire. Let them do it from the comfort of their own home.
5) Properly designed personality questionnaires cannot be easily manipulated by users. Only poorly designed questionnaires are subject to this. The PeopleMaps bi-polar, forced choice questionnaire is extremely reliable and impenetrable to most people.
6) Personality reports do not come in one size. It used to be in the old days that you received a one style of personality report and then had to sift through it to get the parts that were relevant to you. Today PeopleMaps provides you with complete control over this and provides you with a huge library of topics so that you can design exactly the report you need. This way you are only paying for the content you use, making this a unique psychometric test.
Psychometric Career Test
Looking for your ideal job? This FREE Career Test is the most powerful test on the web. It only takes about 5 minutes to complete and will reveal more about what your ideal job looks like than many of the paid for tests.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
- June 29, 2012 at 12:37 am
i like the psycho metric test i enjoy them
- January 6, 2012 at 4:04 am
Understood the comments that the test is for assessment of personality as per the requirement of the organization
- November 17, 2011 at 10:16 am
To my opinion is that this test is conducted to see if the person personlity fits with certain code of conduct of certain society or company. But with the personality of a person to be judged whether right or wrong is hectic since always a person is struggling to live the best to the fullest in his/her daily life.
Leave a Comment


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Potomac River Beach and Washington Family Burial Ground Closed
The road leading to the Potomac River Beach and Washington Family Burial Ground is closed completely as are those two sites because of tree removal following the storms that hit the park last Thursday. Thank you for your understanding.
Things To Do
Visitor Center includes exhibits, film, bookstore, and restrooms. One mile loop Nature Trail accessed at the picnic area. Pets: |
Did You Know?
Except for a trip to Barbados as a youth, George Washington never left what eventually became the United States of America


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Other International
Trip Ideas
Explore Further
The Caribbean-fusion fare at Ortanique (278 Miracle Mile, 305/446-7710, 6–10 p.m. Mon.–Wed., 6–11 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., 5:30–9:30 p.m. Sun., main courses from $31) has made the restaurant one of Coral Gables's most noteworthy dining destinations. Bringing the flavors of the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Haiti together in light spicy-sweet masterpieces is no mean feat, but chef Cindy Hutson has received nothing but glowing praise for the concoctions that come out of Ortanique's kitchen. Fresh vegetables, fruits, and seafood form the cornerstones of most meals, and though it is quite pricey, the intimate atmosphere and inventive menu make it top-shelf dining.
Maroosh Mediterranean (223 Valencia Ave., 305/476-9800, 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Tues.–Sat., 11:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., noon–10 p.m. Sun., main courses from $16) serves hummus, kibbe, falafel, lemon chicken, and other Middle Eastern standards in a dimly lit, intimate environment that on weekends is interrupted by the gyrations of a belly dancer.
If you absolutely must have Indian food, Anokha (3321 Virginia St., 305/674-9367, lunch 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Mon.–Fri., dinner 6–11 p.m. Tues.–Sun., main courses from $14) is a decent if unspectacular option in mainland Miami. From the modern decor to the pricey subcontinent-spanning menu, it's clear that Anokha is attempting to move beyond the family-style Punjab-centric style that many Indian restaurants conform to. While their reach should be commended, their grasp isn't quite there, and the dishes tend to fall a bit short on the innovation scale. Routinely praised as one of the best Indian restaurants in Miami, Anokha is actually a few notches below several better options in South Beach (Ishq, Guru), although in the spice-deprived area around Coconut Grove, it definitely stands out.
© Jason Ferguson from Moon Florida, 1st Edition
Buy Moon Travel Guides
Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.


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By Ted Hughes
198 pages. Farrar, Straus & Giroux. $20.
No literary couple has been so mythologized as Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes. In her own fierce, slashing poems, Plath dramatized herself as a terror-stricken victim, a doomed Electra, a ''Lady Lazarus,'' eating ''men like air,'' and she depicted her husband alternately as her ''savior,'' as her ''muse and god-creator'' and as her ''jailer'' and betrayer. In the years since her death -- in 1963, she stuck her head inside her kitchen oven and turned on the gas -- feminist critics have canonized Plath as a martyr while reviling Mr. Hughes as a villain: the callous husband, who left her for another woman, the ogre who drove her to suicide and took over her literary estate in an effort to shape her memory.
Throughout all this, Mr. Hughes has remained silent, turning aside inquiries from biographers and reporters while editing posthumous collections of Plath's various writings. With ''Birthday Letters,'' his astonishing new volume of poems, he finally shatters that silence, giving us an extraordinarily intimate portrait of their relationship, from their first meeting in 1956 through their marriage and her suicide.


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Pere Lachaise cemetary
one more time in the Pere Lachaise...
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LoginTestimonialsFantastic Experience Just wanted to say that I have always had a fantastic experience when shopping at MJM Magic! Brandi in customer service is awesome, she really goes... Great as always. I always get fast, friendly service when dealing with MJM Magic. I continue to buy from them because of the great service. Thanks so much. |


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Canadians celebrate canonization of first Native American 0
Image: 1 of 10
Wilton Littelchild from Canada waits before Pope Benedict XVI conducts a special mass to canonize seven new saints, including the first ever native American to be declared a saint, at St. Peter's square in Vatican City October 21, 2012. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini
Cathy Rice couldn't contain her excitement Sunday morning as she witnessed the faithful streaming into St. Francis Xavier Mission in Kahnawake, near Montreal, to celebrate the canonization of Kateri Tekakwitha.
Tekakwitha, a 16th century convert known as "Lily of the Mohawks," became the first Native American to gain sainthood Sunday.
Her tomb is in the Mission, and Rice says nearly 300 people packed the 350-seat church for a prayer vigil Saturday night. She said a re-broadcast of the canonization mass in Rome was shown at the church, at a school nearby and also streamed into people's homes.
Ceremonies were also held at Tekakwitha's birthplace in Ossernenon, NY.
"A lot of people have different opinions about her being canonized but regardless of their beliefs, she's a Mohawk woman from our community and we honour her," Rice told QMI Agency in an interview from the Mission. "There's a lot of excitement here and people are very emotional today."
In a statement, Kahnawake Grand Chief Michael Ahríhron Delisle Delisle Jr. said, "Kateri's canonization is a very significant event, not only for the Mohawk faithful, but for Native people throughout North America…and beyond. We know that there will be millions of people sharing in the celebrations of this day. The fact that a quiet and unassuming woman of peace who died so long ago will be acknowledged and remembered at this level is something we can all be proud of."
Rice said that a couple of hundred people from Kahnawake flew to Rome to attend the canonization mass. They joined thousands of pilgrims who converged on St. Peter's Square, including many from the United States' 2.5 million-strong Native American population.
In his homily, Pope Benedict said, "Saint Kateri, Protectress of Canada and the first Native American saint, we entrust to you the renewal of the faith in the first nations and in North America! May God bless the first nations!"
Portraits of the new saints, including French Jesuit Jacques Berthieu, Italian priest Giovanni Battista Piamarta, the Spanish nun Carmen Salles y Barangueras, and German laywoman Anna Schaffer hung from the marble facade of St. Peter's Basilica, and the crowds cheered as each name was called.
Saint Kateri, born in 1656 in what is now New York state to a Mohawk father and an Algonquin mother, impressed missionaries with her devotion, taking a lifetime vow of chastity and punishing herself by placing hot coals between her toes and sleeping on a bed of thorns.
When she died at the age of 24, witnesses said smallpox scars on her face disappeared, and people reported seeing visions of her.
-- with files from Reuters


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How Vaccaro Won Over The Saints
A lesson in scouting.
Sacks | Interceptions | Tackles | ||||||||
Year | Team | G | Sacks | YdsL | Int | Yds | IntTD | Solo | Ast | Total |
2012 | Texas Longhorns | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Show Full Career Stats
A lesson in scouting.
After back-to-back playoff appearances, what do the Bengals need to add to push them to the next level?
Matthew Fairburn makes one last attempt at predicting the first round.
The NFL draft begins this Thursday (7:00 pm CST) and Kenny Vaccaro will be in New York City to carry on the Longhorn DBU tradition with a first round selection - likely falling somewhere between...
See who the Cardinals end up with after seven rounds.
After Kenny Vaccaro and John Cyprien, the safety position gets murky.
If the Bills are high on Kenny Vaccaro as a safety prospect, then they should feel good about Aaron Williams there, as well.
We wrap up the all-underrated team for the 2013 NFL Draft with the safeties.
Former Texas Longhorns safety Kenny Vaccaro announced via his Twitter account that he will visit with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday.
Josh Norris from Rotoworld takes the unorthodox stance of including trades into his mock draft. What moves in the top 15 picks could shake up the Rams fortunes at 16...if they're even still there?
He blinded them.
The Miami Dolphins have scheduled a visit with Texas safety Kenny Vaccaro ahead of this month's NFL Draft. Vaccaro is seen as the top safety in this year's draft class.


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Thursday, September 04, 2008
Fall Championship draws 10 for "Win and You're In" shot
The 59th running of the $100,000 Turfway Park Fall Championship (G3), lengthened to 1 1/2 miles for its debut as a Breeders' Cup Challenge race, has drawn a talented field of 10 for Saturdays' renewal at Turfway Park.
Under the Challenge series' "Win and You're In" provision, the winner of the race automatically qualifies for the Breeders' Cup Marathon, part of the $25.5 million Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita next month. Breeders' Cup races that traditionally run on dirt will instead be run for the first time on an all-weather surface akin to Turfway's Polytrack.
Trainer Mark Frostad intrigues with his decision to bring Storm the Castle from a maiden win directly into graded stakes competition, but the 4-year-old gelding comes with distance credentials. He is a son of Smart Strike and he won that maiden race by 21 lengths going a mile and a half over the Polytrack at Woodbine. Chantal Sutherland comes in to ride.
Graded stakes winner Jade's Revenge has been off three months but has proven himself going long, recently including a win in the Ft. Harrod and a second in the Gallant Man, both at 1 5/8 miles on different all-weather tracks. Jesus Castanon rides for trainer Graham Motion.
With four wins, a second, and a third in six Polytrack races, Dominican has proven his affinity for the surface. He was off eight months but has been rebuilding form since May and comes into the Fall Championship off a head allowance win at Presque Isle. He brings Grade I chops from his win in the 2007 Blue Grass but has never gone this distance. Miguel Mena, aboard for the Presque Isle win, rides again for trainer Darrin Miller.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and jockey Tracy Hebert team up with the Venezuelan-bred Taconeo, who will make his fourth U.S. start. He rallied well to finish second at 1 5/8 miles at Saratoga last month and has two wins at a mile and a half in Venezuelan stakes.
Completing the field are Delightful Kiss (jockey Calvin Borel); Star Plus (ARG) (Corey Lanerie); A. P. Excellent (Larry Melancon); and Tres Copas (Jose Vega).
For horses three years old and up, the Fall Championship will run as the ninth of 10 races on Saturday. First post is 1:10 p.m. Gates open at 11:15 a.m. Admission and parking are free.
Read more articles in the Turfway category.


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The Jaguars are still in the market for a starting right tackle after free agent Tyler Polumbus, who visted Jacksonville last Friday, decided to sign again with the Redskins.
Polumbus tweeted Monday, "Well, Jacksonville was tempting...but I couldn't leave these Coaches and Teammate. 2 more years.''
Polumbus was considered a goot fit with the Jaguars because he has the athleticism for their new zone blocking scheme and he made only $700,000 last year so he fit their budget.
They will now have to continue to look for a right tackle in free agency. They don't appear to have any candidates for the starting spot on their roster. Cameron Bradfield was benched at the end of last season, Guy Whimper was cut and Eben Britton, switched from tackle to guard and benched twice, is a free agent.
Finding a right tackle remains one of their top priorities.
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Add some variety to your fitness routine with these upper and lower leg exercises from The American Council on Exercise. We have a large selection of leg exercises that will will help you strengthen and build muscle throughout your legs including your hamstrings, thighs, shin and calf muscles. Start taking advantage of this free information today! If you are looking for full workout routines that incorporate these leg exercises, check out our Workouts section.
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The original No One Lives Forever came out of nowhere. People dismissed the hype, the common expectation was that it was going to be just another first-person shooter, with a new gimmick at best. Oh how wrong we were. NOLF turned out to be one of the great shooters of all time. In what was a great year for FPS titles, No One Lives Forever stood out even with such competition as Soldier of Fortune, Thief II and the mighty Deus Ex out on the market.
NOLF2 is really just more NOLF. Were going to be the last people on the planet complaining about that. The developers took the original then refined and distilled it into a superb gaming experience. The spy game has never been so fun. No One Lives Forever 2 takes players all over the world, to locations in the North, East, South and West. There are no crazy levels like skydiving without a parachute, and gimmick levels like sniping in Morocco, as we had in the original. But these have been replaced by far more solid normal levels..


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You can reach the DriveNow Reservations Team via email at firstname.lastname@example.com or in Australia on on 1300 547 214 or +61 3 9095 7460.
Head Office | Melbourne | Sydney | Brisbane |
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We understand your travel plans may change, so we at DriveNow do not charge any fees should you need to change or cancel your booking. However, in some instances the rental vehicle company may charge a fee which we would be obliged to pass on. The following policies currently apply:
Check with your rental company when picking up your vehicle as to whether they provide Toll passes. Alternatively contact the Toll Company per the below.
Sydney has a number of Toll Roads operated by different companies. Some of these roads, the M2,M4, M5 and Eastern Distributer have cash booths whilst the others are electronic. A visitor'e E-Pass can be purchased from Roam Express www.roamexpress.com.au) on 13 76 26.
You can also register for a pass online at the NSW RTA website (www.rta.nsw.gov.au), via phone on 13 18 65 or at any RTA Registry. Registration can either occur before or up to 48 hours after your trip.When registering a hired car for an E-Toll pass ensure you advise the RTA of the rental company name and the expected start and end dates & times of your Toll trips. This is to eliminate any chance of you being charged by another renter using the vehicle on the same day.
Melbourne has two toll operators, CityLink and Eastlink and all toll are collected electronically. CityLink passes can be purchased by calling 13 26 29 or on www.citylink.com.au. Payment can be made up to 3 days after travel.
For EastLink travel, call 13 54 65 or visit www.breeze.com.au.
For combined CityLink and EastLink travel, a Melbourne Pass can be purchased from CityLink.
Toll Roads in and around Brisbane are operated by Flowtoll and Queensland Motorways.
Flow Passes for the CLEM7 Tunnel and the Go Between Bridge connection can be obtained from Flowtoll on 13 13 57 (visit www.tollflow.com.au.
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Directions to Surf Ranch Action Sports Resort
Address: Empalme del valle, 991.5 m al San Juan Del Sur, Rivas, San Juan Del Sur, NicaraguaAverage rating: 0%
Rooms from: US$ 35.00
Directions to Surf Ranch Action Sports Resort
From Managua take Highway CA-1 South towards Rivas. The highway will pass through the following cities: Masaya, Catarina, San Juan de Oriente, Nandiame. Or you can drive the Granada way. Either way, drive through Rivas and continue south. Follow the signs to San Juan Del Sur.
Now when you are entering San Juan Del Sur, you will pass Pali, which will be on your left. Then take your first left turn which brings you to Remanso Beach. Pass the baseball field, about 1 km later the road has a sharp turn to the right with an instant left turn ( There are signs that say Miravalle and Ojochal) take that first left then drive another 1km through the valley. You will see the Surf Ranch signs throughout this. Then pull up to the resort, check in, unpack, and then your fun begins. It�s party time!
Airport Shuttle
You can pre-book an airport shuttle with one of the companies. Contact us for more details. These are very safe, reliable, and a comfortable mode of transportation. But can be more expensive than the other modes of transportation to San Juan Del Sur.
Right when you leave the front doors of the airport, you will be swarmed by taxi drivers. The good thing about these taxis are that they are the legit taxis with properly registered taxi service providers. The bad thing is that their rates are high. No problem, they will offer you around for 2 people. Spend 5 minutes counter offering, saying no and going to other drivers and you will cut the price in half. It�s also true that if you walk a couple minutes to the highway and take a taxi from there, it will be less expensive, but may encounternon legit taxis. Remember, red and white plates and you are good to go.
Buses leave Managua's Huembes Market to San Juan Del Sur several times each day. The ride is 2 1/2 hours. Remember these are chicken buses, often crowded and robberies still exist. We have taken every mode of transportation on this list and the buses are actually pretty fun, especially for.Regular 'Chicken bus' from Managua to Rivas
Mercado Huembes, every 25 min (3:30 AM � 7 PM) -
Express bus from Managua to San Juan del Sur
Mercado Huembes, every 30 min (10 AM � 4 PM) -
Rental Cars
We recommend renting a 4x4 as many of the roads leading to the beaches and other activities are pretty adventurous. The majority of autos available for rent are with standard transmission. A good number of International rental car companies offer service at the Managua International Airport. Make sure to book your rental car ahead of time to ensure the vehicle of your choice and always do your best to rent the most fuel efficient vehicle that will meet your travel needs.
Surf Ranch Shuttle
If you contact us before you arrive at the Managua International Airport, we will have the Surf Ranch shuttle waiting for you at the airport with your choice of free ice cold water, pop or beer. We do have better prices than any other shuttles as you will be staying with us at the Surf Ranch.
Email us and book a ride.


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Cigar Reviews info on 19 Oct 2010
On Cigars pt. 03
Hello again everybody. After a short period of silence, mostly due to technical issues, here is part 3 of our small series about Cuban cigars. This time we will go a little bit more into detail when it comes to curing and fermentation.
Air curing is usually a process where the newly harvested leaves intended for filler and binder are simply sewn into pairs and hung over poles in the curing barn for a certain period of time. During this period moisture slowly escapes the leaves, turning them gradually from green to brown. The longer the leaves spend in the barn, the higher their pole is lifted, always placing the fresher leaves closer to the bottom. When it comes to wrapper leaves however, the last few decades have seen quite a bit of technological influence. The wrappers as such are crucial for the look of the cigar and also have the highest price of all leaves (as mentioned before); thus they are cured in special barns that simulate optimum conditions 24/7. After the curing period is finished, the leaves then travel on to their next stage towards becoming a hand rolled cigar: the fermentation.
With the help of the natural moisture within the leaves, the tobacco is fermented stage by stage, firstly rolled into bunches (gavillas). These bunches have a similar effect on the leaves like the sauna has on the human body. Within them the tobacco "sweats", slowly releasing its impurities, making it suitable for smoking. The fermentation period affects the color of the leaves and rids them of excessive acidity and nicotine. The higher a leaf was growing on the plant, the more oils it has developed and the longer it takes to ferment. After the first fermentation the leaves are classified, following strict guidelines. Filler leaves are divided into the usual three categories, Volado, Seco and Ligero. The Ligeros that fail quality control will be used for cigarettes or cigarillos. The biggest Volado leaves are then used as binders, while wrapper leaves are naturally most closely inspected. All leaves that do not pass the minimal requirements will not be accepted as wrappers. Since wrappers usually only need to undergo one fermentation stage, they are now tied into bales (tercias) and sent off to be aged. As for the fillers and binders, their path is another one…


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Farmme Rural Patrol is a service set up by Agricultural Recruitment NZ Ltd.Run by volunteers who generously donate there spare time usually at night.We need funding to keep our patrol vehicle operating.FRP is focused on our isolated rural families helping to keep our kiwi children and mums feel safe…
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Expose yourself to a whole new world of Affliction awesomeness with the Double Exposer walkshorts! Believe us — you've never seen shorts that are as awesome as this pair. They feature a slim fit, a cool striped pattern and embroidered branding. Sport these shorts with a sick Affliction tee and you'll be set!- 70% Polyester/30% Viscose
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The Sorrento area in southern Italy is famous for it's Feminello St Teresa lemons, better known as Sorrento Lemons. Enormous, sweet lemons that are specific to that region. The limoncello is created by macerating the peels in alcohol for 4 days. After this it is blended with sugar syrup and water. A lot of my friends make it at home, it's that easy! Although buying neutral alcohol is not that easy in some countries, like mine.
I once managed to buy 5 litres at a NATO-base in Brunssum in the deep south of Holland after giving a seminar for the bored-to-death soldiers who drenched their evenings in alcohol. Anyway, I created my own limoncello, but after tasting Villa Massa, I realised getting the right ingredients is a bit more difficult here, then it is in Italy!
Villa Massa is an old brand of Limoncello, based on an over-a-century old family recipe dating back to 1890. Of the Famiglia Massa that is. It is created in their family farm (which is called Villa in Italian), located in Piano di Sorrento, close to Naples and in the very heart of the limoncello-area. Because it is made from only Sorrento lemons and also created and bottled in this area, it is one of the very few Limoncello's that have the P.G.I. mark, a proof of authenticity that a product receives when the ingredients are only from a certain area.
The bottle: The bottle is made of frosted, slightly green glass with a label that displays the entrance of the family mansion. Visually not the most exciting appearance, but it accentuates the tradional area where it originates from.
The nose: The scent of fresh lemons with a somewhat bitter nose from the zest. This contains some oils that are more bitter, but it all balances out really nice.
The contents: Lovely and gentle sweet taste, slightly tangerine, typical for the Sorrento lemons. Pretty sweet and enjoyed straight from the freezer, giving it a smooth, silky-like texture. There's a slight hint of bitterness in it, coming from the essential oils in the lemonzest.
The mixability: Limoncello is traditionally drunk after dinner, straight from the freezer. But it is also perfect for mixing with soft drinks, like Tonic or in cocktails. See below for a recipe.
Overall: This is a very nice liqueur, well belanced and very accessible. Enjoyed in many ways and always refreshing.
How to: A cocktail is best enjoyed in good company, so I will give you a recipe for a nice jug of Villa Masso Mojito, enough for you and your 5 best friends!
Cut 3 nice lemons in quarters and squeeze these into the jug. You can drop them in after this, they make a great decoration with their bright yellow peels. Pour in 36 cl Villa Massa Limoncello – you can pick up small bottles of VM that measure 35 cls, also perfect. Place 10 large sprigs of mint (about 60 leaves) between your hands and bruise them slightly by 'clapping' them: this releases the flavour, but keeps the bitter oils inside the leaf! No need to get the leafs off of the stem, just leave 'em on.
Fill the jug with icecubes and some sodawater and stir gently, combining all flavours. Do you prefer a sweeter taste, use lemonade instead of sodawater.


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A teaser clip from the next US episode of Gossip Girl has been released.
The promo shows Blair (Leighton Meester) and Dan (Penn Badgley) planning a 'coming out' party in which they will make their relationship public.
The footage is from the episode 'Salon of the Dead', which also features a face-off between Serena (Blake Lively) and Diana (Elizabeth Hurley) and sees Gossip Girl attempt to crush Lola (Ella Rae Peck).
Showrunner Josh Safran teased that the love triangle between Blair, Dan and Chuck (Ed Westwick) will come "to an end point" in the season five finale.
"We always try to make our finales really exciting and juicy and fun," he said. "But in this one, it's like a bomb gets detonated and levels everything."
He previously opened up the possibility of Blair and Chuck reconciling, saying that the former couple "are never over".
Gossip Girl airs in the US Mondays at 8/7c on The CW. UK viewers can catch it Mondays at 8pm on ITV2.
'Gossip Girl': Blair and Dan make their romance public - video
Published Wednesday, Apr 11 2012, 6:26am EDT | By Daniel Sperling | 2 comments
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Standing the test of time requires deep roots and mastering change. If the past is indeed prologue, then McGuireWoods' past 175 years spell a strong today and tomorrow.
For nearly two centuries, we have expanded our presence and enhanced our capabilities to keep pace with our clients' needs — both in the United States, as well as in the global marketplace. Today we have more than 900 lawyers in 19 offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Brussels and elsewhere in Europe. We do business where our clients do business.
1834: Egbert R. Watson, previously private secretary to former president James Monroe, starts his Charlottesville, Virginia, practice. In 1870, after a career that includes serving as a circuit court judge and six years in the Virginia General Assembly, Watson forms a partnership with his son-in-law, George Perkins, which becomes Perkins, Battle & Minor in 1936.
1897: Murray Mason McGuire begins practicing law in Richmond, Virginia. The following year he is joined by John Stewart Bryan. By the 1960s, the firm of McGuire & Bryan has become McGuire, Woods, King, Davis & Patterson.
1937: T. Nelson Parker and John J. Fairbank form a partnership in Richmond, which after Parker leaves in 1956 to accept a government appointment, becomes Bremner, Neal, Harris & Williams.
1950: Perkins, Battle & Minor partner John S. Battle is sworn in as governor of Virginia.
1961: Two Perkins, Battle & Minor lawyers are tapped for positions in the Kennedy administration. The firm merges with Bremner, Neal and becomes Battle, Neal, Harris, Minor & Williams.
1966: The modern McGuireWoods is born through the merger of Battle, Neal, Harris, Minor & Williams with McGuire, Woods, King, Davis & Patterson to become McGuire, Woods & Battle.
1987: McGuire, Woods & Battle merges with prominent Northern Virginia firm Boothe, Prichard & Dudley to become McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, with offices in Alexandria, Charlottesville, Norfolk, Richmond and Tysons Corner, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
1990: McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP opens its first overseas office in Brussels, Belgium.
1991: The firm expands to Maryland after merging with Baltimore's highly regarded Cable, McDaniel, Bowie & Bond.
1994: The firm opens an office in Jacksonville, Florida.
1998: McGuireWoods Consulting LLC is established to provide services in government and public relations. McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe continues to expand, opening offices in Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago, Illinois; and Atlanta, Georgia.
1999: Two well-established Atlanta firms join McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP. The firm expands again by adding a New York City office.
2000: The firm opens its final office under the name McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In July, McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe LLP starts doing business as McGuireWoods LLP.
2001: The firm establishes McGuireWoods Capital Group to advise emerging to mid-market enterprises on corporate development, business performance enhancement and capital market relations. McGuireWoods LLP expands its presence in Pittsburgh through merger with 17-lawyer business law firm Sable, Pusateri, Rosen, Gordon & Adams.
2003: McGuireWoods adds to its Chicago and New York strength by merging with 155-lawyer firm Ross and Hardies.
2005: McGuireWoods LLP opens an office in Los Angeles, California.
2006: Van Etten Suzumoto & Becket, a 40-lawyer Los Angeles firm, becomes part of McGuireWoods LLP, enhancing the firm's capabilities on the U.S. West Coast. Gordon & Glickson LLC, an internationally known law firm serving the information technology marketplace, joins McGuireWoods in Chicago.
2008: McGuireWoods merges with Helms Mulliss & Wicker, PLLC, a 145-lawyer North Carolina firm with offices in Charlotte, Raleigh and Wilmington.
2009: McGuireWoods merges with Grundberg Mocatta Rakison, a firm with more than 25 lawyers in London, England, to form McGuireWoods London LLP.
2011: Nickens, Keeton, Lawless, Farrell & Flack, a 12-lawyer firm with offices in Austin and Houston, Texas, joins McGuireWoods LLP.
Our strength is reflected in continued growth and high-profile recognition for our firm, our lawyers, our practices and industries, and our diversity and inclusion, pro bono, and community programming. Please tour our website to learn more about our firm and our lawyers.


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If you are concerned about climate change, building services engineering will give you the chance to choose and implement the environmentally friendly energy systems which can substantially reduce carbon emissions. Today, buildings account for nearly half of the total carbon released into the atmosphere as a result of burning fossil fuels. But there is a different way. Building services engineers can use energy from renewable sources. Fuel efficient systems are constantly being developed and improved.
As a building services engineer it will be up to you to specify the most energy efficient solutions to meet your clients' needs, and to advise them on optimum use of the systems you have provided, so that energy savings continue to be made into the future. In fact, designs for the carbon-neutral house already exist. But construction professionals need to put these designs into action. In the coming decades, no other career will give you the chance to make such a big impact on saving our planet.
Facade engineering is just one of many specialist areas. Working closely with architects and structural engineers, facade experts work out how to reduce the heating and cooling loads. They maximise the use of natural light and effective natural ventilation to reduce carbon emissions over the life of a building.
A career as a building services engineer is a constructive way to make a big impact on the sustainability agenda. The big challenge is to provide a comfortable environment for people at work, at leisure and in the home, at the lowest possible carbon usage.
One important new tool that services designers can use to plan energy use is Building information modeling (BIM). This is a process involving the generation and management of a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. The resulting building information model becomes a shared knowledge resource to support decision-making about a facility from earliest conceptual stages, through design and construction, then through its operational life before its eventual demolition.
You can read more about BIM, and other developments, including new and recently completed projects using the latest low carbon technologies. Take a look at the CIBSE Journal. Why not sign up for their newsletter to receive a regular update on industry news?


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In the Talmud, the rabbis suggest that "one who visits the sick, diminishes the person's illness by one-sixtieth." (Baba Metzia, 30:2) Students at the Ellin Mitchell Hillel Program at Tel Aviv University (TAU) have learned about this tradition on a personal level.
A new tzedek project at TAU Hillel called "Save A Child's Heart" enlists students to adopt children who are undergoing treatment at a local hospital. Save a Child's Heart is the name of the sponsoring Israeli organization that helps children from underdeveloped countries who are suffering from heart disease by bringing them to Wolfson Hospital in Holon for life-saving heart surgery. More than 40 TAU Hillel students have adopted children who are alone in Israel as they undergo treatment. The children, who hail from countries such as Ethiopia, Zanzibar, Romania, China and the Palestinian Authority, receive medical assistance that is not available to them otherwise. TAU Hillel students play with the kids before and after surgery and visit the children as they recuperate in a hospice outside of Tel Aviv.
"The students who participate in this project are enjoying it as much as the kids," says Shirit Cohen, who initiated the project. "They bring a lot of joy to these lonely kids and gain so much in return."
The project is also unique in that it unites students from a variety of cultures, including overseas students studying at the TAU Sachler Medical School, as well as Israeli Arabs (Muslims and Christians) and Israeli Jews.
At the final meeting of the semester, students evaluated the project and discussed what inspires them to volunteer. Students organized a text study that presented the values of giving, mercy, and compassion in all three faiths. Shirit quoted Deuteronomy, Chapter 15, which says we should give to the needy and not harden our hearts when we meet a poor person. Fida Wafel, a Muslim student, spoke about the value of mercy in Islam, explaining that Allah created human beings "to have mercy on the world forever." Madg Shufin, a Christian student, spoke about how Jesus admired the poor and taught that helping people is the largest gift you can give in life. After the short text study, the students brought the children outside to clean and plant flowers in the garden at the Save a Child's Heart House.
"Everyone had a wonderful time, working together and making the Save a Child's Heart House more of a home," Cohen said. "Students loved working with the kids and learning about each other's heritage. They appreciated the opportunity to learn about each other and to cooperate on a common social-justice project. The project did more than just heal the children's hearts – it opened ours as well."
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Ninja Blade
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Game Detail
Xbox 360
- From Software
- Release: Apr 7, 2009 »
- Also on: PC
Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older.