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Asjen Shrine Synagogue
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Panoramische foto door The Diarna Project Genomen 13:32, 01/05/2011 - Views
Asjen Shrine Synagogue
Located a few kilometers north of the spiritual center of Ouezzane and on the edge of the Bled es-Siba, or ungoverned area, Asjen's sparse population and idyllic scenery provide a fitting setting for the unassuming and tranquil, yet deeply important shrine of Rabbi Amram Ben Diwan. Born in the early 18th century in Hebron, the rabbi travelled to the city of Ouezzane as an emissary from the Jewish community in Jerusalem. He proved to be a wise scholar and was noted for his miraculous healing powers, according to Issachar Ben-Ami's Saint Veneration among the Jews of Morocco. The shrine itself has been claimed to provide cures. In one anecdote, Ben-Ami recounts how a Christian woman with fits of insanity was healed after spending one week near the shrine. To learn more about this site and explore others, visit our exhibit website (http://www.jewishmorocco.org/?page_id=1148).
Located a few kilometers north of the spiritual center of Ouezzane and on the edge of the Bled es-Sib...
The tomb of Rabbi Amram Ben Diwan Ztzl in asjen - הקבר של רבי עמרם בן דיוואן באסג'ן
Night in Chefchaouen, Marocco / Geolocalización : 30s 294487E 3894123N. Altitud :621 metros
Small and quiet, the Chefchouan Cemetery points to the remnants of a once vibrant culture. Visitors m...
Chefchaouen, Marocco, Vista de una calle de la Medina / Geolocalización : 30 294347E 3894297N. Altitu...
Somewhere inside the blue town Chefchaoun.
Welcome to Africa, AKA the motherland! Check out African Internet Radio while you're scoping the panoramas.
The earliest fossil of the homo sapiens family (human beings) was found in Ethiopia, dating back more than 200,000 years. Compared to this length of time, even the "ancient Sumerians" from 6000 B.C. are drooling toddlers.
Let's mention a few African heroes you may have heard of, for inspiration in the face of the continued economic inequality and violence which plague Africa today: Nelson Mandela, first democratically elected President of South Africa, who fought against apartheid and served 27 years in prison while advocating freedom and peace. Haile Salassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, who resisted Mussolini and the fascist Italian invasion of WWII, and who is worshipped as an incarnation of God by the Rastafari movement. Kwame Nkrumah, first Prime Minister of Ghana, advocate of uniting Africa in Pan-Africanism. Fela Kuti, inventor of Afrobeat music, who declared his home to be an independent state, ran for president of Nigeria, and to whose funeral ONE MILLION PEOPLE came to pay their respects.
In June 2001 the African Union was formed, consisting of 53 African States organized, like in the EU, around common economic and political development.
Text by Steve Smith.


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Everyone benefits from being able to use our planet's limited energy and water resources more efficiently. By using the power and flexibility of cloud technologies combined with smart sensors and other energy management systems, utility companies can now deliver better service to their customers and save energy at the same time. Utility companies need to… Read More
Rent vs. Buy? Examining the Total Cost of Ownership of Oracle Cloud-based Software Subscription Services
A just-released Forrester Consulting Total Economic Impact Study highlights the potential cost savings of operating Oracle software in the Verizon Cloud. Based on in-depth interviews with three Verizon customers using Oracle Database and Oracle WebLogic Server subscription-based services, Forrester Consulting created a framework and theoretical composite organization to evaluate the total cost of ownership for… Read More
Four Things to Consider When Evaluating Cloud Strategy
With more businesses beginning to migrate mission critical applications into the cloud and overall enterprise cloud adoption and use continuing to grow, companies (and specifically CIOs) need to think about how they invest in cloud to get the most value and using cloud in ways that move their business forward. While the lure of… Read More
Verizon Develops Breakthrough Design to Boost Data Center Efficiency
Beyond land acquisition and construction costs, the largest cost that data center operators face is for electricity related to cooling the massive number of servers located in their facilities. A new containment design developed by Verizon—one that meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration and National Fire Protection Association requirements—boosts data center efficiency for a less… Read More
Four Things to Know About Enterprise Cloud Security Solutions
In the recent report by Harvard Business Review Analytic Services, respondents from large and mid-size, global enterprises said that security is not a reason to avoid moving workloads to the cloud. The majority said they believe that cloud doesn't negatively impact security (65 percent) and, in some cases, cloud actually improves security (36 percent). While… Read More
Harvard Business Review Analytic Services Report Finds Business Agility Tops Cloud Benefits
Enterprises that have adopted cloud cite business agility (the ability to quickly recognize and react to changing market conditions) as one of the core cloud benefits. This advantage was ranked higher than cost reductions and innovation as the driver of cloud within the enterprise, according to respondents to a recent survey from Harvard Business Review… Read More
Three Things for Understanding Big Data & Cloud Providers
Everyone is talking about big data and cloud computing. From sports teams to airlines to fast food restaurants, big data capture, management and analysis has become a key focus. In fact, I'd argue that big data has replaced cloud as the hottest buzzword in enterprise IT today. However, big data and cloud are actually linked…. Read More
Harvard Business Review Cloud Report Top Findings
Harvard Business Review Analytic Services recently surveyed 527 of their readers from large and mid-size companies and organizations worldwide asking how they used cloud computing and the value they garnered from it. The cloud report was sponsored by Verizon Enterprise Solutions and while it's not surprising that 70 percent of respondents say their organization has… Read More
Four Services Enterprises Should Ask for from Cloud Providers
Moving from private data centers to an Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) cloud environment is not just a technology change; it is transformational for the IT organization in many ways. Cloud computing brings a new paradigm of thinking and a different culture to an organization. The focus shifts to service delivery instead of individual nuts and bolts technology…. Read More
How Will Enterprise Cloud Computing & Services Disrupt IT in Coming Years?
I had the opportunity to represent Verizon at Cisco Live's Cloud Executive Panel this year. The panel included SVPs, CTOs, and other senior executives in the enterprise cloud space with representation from Verizon as the service provider, Cisco as the platform vendor, Kaiser Permanente as a cloud customer and other executives representing application and data… Read More

subset: commoncrawl


text: JooJoo tablet gets a makeover before launch Technology 12 March 10 by Brian X Chen Tweet JooJoo, the tablet formerly known as CrunchPad, is set to land at the end of this month with several new features that weren't seen in the early prototype.Most noticeably, the drab, solid-coloured home screen seen in the JooJoo prototype has been replaced with an elegantly polished icon grid laid on top of a customisable wallpaper (above). Engadget, which first reported the story, has some screenshots posted, in addition to the one above.Also interesting is the addition of a new text-entry option allowing you to display a smaller keyboard designed for one-handed operation, which can be dragged around to avoid interfering with content. There's an option for a larger virtual keyboard for two-hand typing as well. The one-handed typing solution is intriguing to me, and it makes me wonder whether Apple will do something similar with its iPad. From my hands-on time with the iPad, I found the larger virtual keyboard to be unpleasant to type with compared to entering text on the iPhone.Some more factors competing with the iPad: Flash is now fully working on the JooJoo. Videos can also be played from a thumb drive plugged into the JooJoo's USB port.Oddly, the hardware has changed colour as well. Rather than black, it sports a champagne exterior, JooJoo maker Fusion Garage told Engadget. The JooJoo looks sweet, and that home screen is quite attractive. But as I've said before, I have doubts that a vertically integrated product from this small company will succeed. The JooJoo runs its own custom operating system, and it'll be difficult for Fusion Garage to persuade developers to code apps for a device with a relatively small user base. Edited by George Barrow Comments Read more on Apple Maker of the iPhone, Mac, iPad, iPod and birthplace of everything iTunes and iCloud Technology Apple reveals top reasons for App Store rejection Technology Apple quiet on iCloud exploit after celebrity nudes leak Technology Apple's confirmed 9 Sep event may be a massive one Gaming Flappy Bird creator's new game was better before it got nerfed Technology PayPal offering 25 percent iTunes discount in the UK Technology 'VistaMac' and other bizarre Apple facts revealed Latest on wired.co.uk


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Bubbles and Friend Power Puff Girls 2 Coloring Pages
Bubbles is a popular sheet in these Power Puff Girls 2 Coloring Pages. She is the sugar of the three. A sweet and caring nature helps her communicate with the animals. Beware! Though like many of these character coloring pages she is full of action to fight for what is right. Pour some sweetness out for your kids with these free printable coloring pages!
We hope you enjoy coloring your page that you have selected! Remember to check out more of our Over The Hedge Coloring Pages and share them with your friends. If you are a parent or a teacher, print as many as you'd like and use them for extra practice and fun activities!


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Home > Mattresses > Sealy > Sealy Plush > Sealy Cape Bethany Plush
Sealy Cape Bethany Plush Mattress
Expert Review By Jed
ComfortQuilt - Top of Mattress
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Correct Back Support System
Coil Counts: Box Spring - Foundation (optional)
Mattress DimensionsWarranty
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Sealy brand mattresses are not cheap mattresses. They are quality mattresses made to be affordable. Perhaps youre a good sleeper and dont need all the frills. Or perhaps youre looking for an inexpensive mattress for your kids room. Or maybe youre just going the inexpensive route and trying to find something nice, but affordable, for your guest room. Sealy brand mattresses give you all the quality youd expect from a Sealy at a tremendous value. Each and every mattress withstands the most rigorous durability testing in the industry. Over 30 tests, so your mattress feels like it did years after you bought it. The coils in the innerspring are also twice-tempered to prevent sagging over time. Something you wont see in any other mattress. Cheap or not. Budget-minded sleepers rejoice. An affordable, quality mattress has arrived.
Mattress Research Center Articles
Free In-Home Setup & Delivery
Our Mattress Guarantee Is Simple:We want you to make your purchase with confidence. And we know that even after making a careful selection, sometimes people need a different level of comfort. If you wish to exchange your mattress, we will make an exchange for you for up to 100 days after delivery. (A difference in lower priced models is non-refundable. An increase in price requires payment for the price difference. Exchange covers same size, limit 1 exchange per customer.) All you have to pay is a $99 processing fee. We will cover all other expenses. Find out more about our guarantees and policies here.
All we ask is that you spend at least a few weeks getting used to your new mattress first, before we process an exchange. Sleeping on a new (or any different) mattress takes a few weeks to get used to, and with that familiarity you can know for sure you're making the right decision.
Lowest Price Guaranteed or your Mattress is Free!We guarantee that our prices are the lowest you can find anywhere - on or off the web! If you can find a comparable advertised mattress set for a better price somewhere else, simply call or email us with the store information or the website where you found it within 30 days of your purchase. We won't just match their price, we'll match 110% of the difference, or your mattress is free! Price comparison includes all applicable order charges including, but not limited to: product price, comparable service delivery charges, fees and taxes.
We will also price match 100% of the difference on our site within 30 days of purchase. Qualifying decisions on Low Price Guarantee claims rest solely with US-Mattress. Low Price Guarantee does not apply to used, damaged, returned, open box and display merchandise, vendor rollbacks and rebates, special purchases, promotional/doorbuster items, financing offers, clearance/discontinued, membership club or closeout prices.
© 2001-2014 Mattress USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Terms of Use | por Espanol


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Town Square
Destinations: Magical island
Original post made on Apr 11, 2013
Read the full story here Web Link posted Monday, April 8, 2013, 2:24 PM
on Apr 11, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Thank you for this article and your photos. Easter Island came into my imagination in elementary school reading Thor Heyerdahl's Aku Aku. Quite a contrast from Brooklyn, NY. A couple of months ago I looked into flights, as in 'how the hell do you get there?'
It's interesting that Easter island was built up touristically (as well as its airport), as a remote Space Shuttle communications center.
on Apr 13, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Thanks for this most interesting article. It is good to be reminded that there are still wonders out there to explore and think about in our busy, high-tech world!


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Troopers are investigating a hit and run crash that sent two juveniles to the hospital Friday night.
The Highway Patrol said the wreck happened on Monck's Grove Church Road about 8:45 p.m. Friday.
Troopers said two juveniles were walking down the road when they were hit by a car and they were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Troopers said they don't have a full description of the vehicle, but they're asking anyone who may have seen the accident to call the South Carolina Highway Patrol at 1-800-768-1503 or Crime Stoppers 1-888-CRIME-SC.
Copyright 2013 FOX Carolina (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.


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The city of Atlanta faced an emergency vote on Wednesday to save $100 million in tax collections.If governments in Atlanta and more than a dozen other counties across Georgia are unable to keep their sales tax dollars, officials say there is a good chance property taxes will go up for thousands of citizens.Those governments use sales tax to help fund public safety. Seventeen counties in Georgia, including Fulton County, were unable to agree on how to share the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) revenues.Until now, governments went to arbitration to split the sales tax pie. A court recently ruled that an arbitrator can no longer be used. Atlanta currently receives about $100 million from the fund annually. East Point nets $10.3 million, while Alpharetta gets just more than $12 million.A letter obtained by FOX 5 directs governments to take immediate action through a formal vote that permits a legislative body from losing the LOST funds. The Georgia Revenue Commissioner distributes that money in Atlanta, Fulton County and throughout Georgia. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed told the City Council that he needed approval to make a demand in the form of a certificate. That demand must be made by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The City Council took the mayor's advice and gave him the authority to seek Atlanta's portion of the proceeds.
Firefighters are calling a man a hero after he helped save a family from a burning home in DeKalb County.
WTTG FOX 5 & myfoxdc5151 Wisconsin Ave. NWWashington, DC 20016Main Number: (202) 244-5151Newsroom: (202) email@example.com


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Lindos Blu Hotel & Suites
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Foto panorámica de Iraklis Kavouklis Tomada 20:14, 24/07/2009 - Views
Lindos Blu Hotel & Suites
The World > Asia > Europe > Greece
Lindos Blu Hotel & Suites, the premiere adult-only luxury hotel of Rhodes, rests on the magnificent hillside of Vlycha Bay. The breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea and the traditionally inspired architecture of the hotel, let loose the emotions of our guests. The customized services, provided in a delicate way by our excellently trained personnel, guarantee the indulgence of our visitors' senses. Along with the historic and cultural elements of our island, our visitors will be overwhelmed with life-long, memorable experiences.
Rejuvenate your body and mind at the Indulge Spa & Wellness Center, sip a cup of coffee at the Il Sognio Cafeteria, crunch your thirst at the Allegro - Pool Bar with a cold Cocktail and let your senses guide you through the gourmet trip of the Five Senses Restaurant and the creations of our Chef.
Rhodes, Lindos's akropolis (sorry for the error, it is quite off, just for the view)
Rhodes, Lindos's akropolis
Rhodes, Acropolis of Lindos
Acropolis of Lindos
Beautiful point of vue from behind Lindos, the name of the bay is Saint-Paul with a nice little churc...
Plakia Beach-Pefkos-Pefki-Lindos-Rhodes-Greece
Europe is generally agreed to be the birthplace of western culture, including such legendary innovations as the democratic nation-state, football and tomato sauce.
The word Europe comes from the Greek goddess Europa, who was kidnapped by Zeus and plunked down on the island of Crete. Europa gradually changed from referring to mainland Greece until it extended finally to include Norway and Russia.
Don't be confused that Europe is called a continent without looking like an island, the way the other continents do. It's okay. The Ural mountains have steadily been there to divide Europe from Asia for the last 250 million years. Russia technically inhabits "Eurasia".
Europe is presently uniting into one political and economic zone with a common currency called the Euro. The European Union originated in 1993 and is now composed of 27 member states. Its headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium.
Do not confuse the EU with the Council of Europe, which has 47 member states and dates to 1949. These two bodies share the same flag, national anthem, and mission of integrating Europe. The headquarters of the Council are located in Strasbourg, France, and it is most famous for its European Court of Human Rights.
In spite of these two bodies, there is still no single Constitution or set of laws applying to all the countries of Europe. Debate rages over the role of the EU in regards to national sovereignty. As of January 2009, the Lisbon Treaty is the closest thing to a European Constitution, yet it has not been approved by all the EU states.
Text by Steve Smith.


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I can see a swivel LCD being useful for many types of photography; it lets you keep off the ground when shooting outdoors
I know this is a preference thing, but I'd rather lay in the mud rather than have a swivel screen. Great for video, but I'm not sold on it's function for photography. Just more tiny parts to break.


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A state representative who claimed that she and colleague Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield) were banned from speaking on the House floor after a disagreement about decorum Wednesday morning demanding an apology.
Rep. Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga, joined by representatives from the liberal groups Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Democracy For America, claimed that more than 115,000 people from around the nation signed the petition, aimed at House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall).
Brown, a Jewish mother of three, claimed she was barred from speaking after referencing her own vagina at the end of a speech on House Bill 5711. She said the abortion legislation forces contradictory religious beliefs upon her and others.
The remark went viral amid concerns that the House GOP majority went too far in banning Brown for using what she referred to as the "medically correct term."
, writer and original star of The Vagina Monologues, descended upon Lansing to protest on June 15. Thousands turned out for a special performance of the 1996 solo show-turned-international hit.
Bolger's spokesman, Ari Adler, claimed that House Democrats are using the issue as a "distraction," according to reports.
"We're focused on moving Michigan forward, and the House Democrats are welcome to join us whenever they are ready," Adler said.


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Anonymous said: Smartass. 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15
well i am an aerospace engineer ;). i wonder who you are……
3=unsafe heights, failing those i love, and not being able to change the world.
4=vanilla slices, poker, food.
5=i don't have one. i've got 4.
6= "aint no rest for the wicked" by "cage the elephant"
7= girl on girl, stockings with suspenders, bad girls, and the back of my neck when i girl kisses it haha.
8=accents (has to be the right one), gays (obviously lol), when certain foods are mixed into sex. and too much hair.
9=I'm not wearing any, just got out the shower haha.
10=1 tattoo. there are pics on my feed if you back far enough.
11=an ex girlfriend.
12=pleased. and also amused by these questions
13=Shelby mustang GT500 1967 model. FUCKING CREAM!!!!!!
14=single pringle.
15=my good friend nick banks :).
happy now? lol


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A Personal Take On Global Ethics
This article is about the various experiences that one undergoes while traveling to various countries of the world. Kim Strom-Gottfried reminisces his experiences on the subways, busses, and other transportation systems. He acknowledges that there is no clear ethical standard for behavior on these places of transport. He questions whether or not it is appropriate to question the way in which people behave while on these various transportation system.
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Panoramic photo by Viktor Vokic Taken 17:00, 09/10/2011 - Views
Ponte Vecchio
The World > Europe > Italy > Tuscany > Florence
The Ponte Vecchio ("Old Bridge", Italian pronunciation: [ˈponte ˈvɛkkjo]) is a Medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River, in Florence, Italy, noted for still having shops built along it, as was once common. Butchers initially occupied the shops; the present tenants are jewellers, art dealers and souvenir sellers. The Ponte Vecchio's two neighbouring bridges are the Ponte Santa Trinità and the Ponte alle Grazie.
History and construction
View from Michelangelo Park The bridge spans the Arno at its narrowest pointwhere it is believed that a bridge was first built in Roman times, when the via Cassia crossed the river at this point. The Roman piers were of stone, the superstructure of wood. The bridge first appears in a document of 996.After being destroyed by a flood in 1117 it was reconstructed in stone but swept away again in 1333 save two of its central piers, as noted by Giovanni Villani in his Nuova Cronica. It was rebuilt in 1345, Giorgio Vasari recorded the tradition in his day, that attributed its design to Taddeo Gaddi, besides Giotto one of the few artistic names of the trecento still recalled two hundred years later. Modern historians present Neri di Fioravanti as a possible candidate. Sheltered in a little loggia at the central opening of the bridge is a weathered dedication stone, which once read Nel trentatrè dopo il mille-trecento, il ponte cadde, per diluvio dell' acque: poi dieci anni, come al Comun piacque, rifatto fu con questo adornamento. The Torre dei Mannelli was built at the southeast corner of the bridge to defend it.
The bridge consists of three segmental arches: the main arch has a span of 30 meters (98 ft) the two side arches each span 27 meters (88 ft). The rise of the arches is between 3.5 and 4.4 meters (11½ to 14½ feet), and the span-to-rise ratio 5:1.
It has always hosted shops and merchants who displayed their goods on tables before their premises, after authorization of the Bargello (a sort of a lord mayor, a magistrate and a police authority). The back shops (retrobotteghe) that may be seen from upriver, were added in the seventeenth century.
It is said that the economic concept of bankruptcy originated here: when a merchant could not pay his debts, the table on which he sold his wares (the "banco") was physically broken ("rotto") by soldiers, and this practice was called "bancorotto" (broken table; possibly it can come from "banca rotta" which means "broken bank"). Not having a table anymore, the merchant was not able to sell anything.
During World War II, the Ponte Vecchio was not destroyed by Germans during their retreat of August 4, 1944, unlike all other bridges in Florence. This was allegedly because of an express order by Hitler[citation needed]. Access to Ponte Vecchio was, however, obstructed by the destruction of the buildings at both ends, which have since been rebuilt using a combination of original and modern design.
Vasari's Corridor
In order to connect the Palazzo Vecchio (Florence's town hall) with the Palazzo Pitti, in 1565 Cosimo I de Medici had Giorgio Vasari build the famous Vasari Corridor above it.[4] To enforce the prestige of the bridge, in 1593 the Medici Grand Dukes prohibited butchers from selling there; their place was immediately taken by several gold merchants. The corporative association of butchers had monopolised the shops on the bridge since 1442. A stone with an inscription from Dante (Paradiso xvi. 140-7) records the spot at the entrance to the bridge where Buondelmonte de' Buondelmonti was murdered on behalf of the Amidei, in 1215, initiating the urban fighting of the Guelfs and Ghibellines.
Recent history
Along the Ponte Vecchio, there were many padlocks locked to various places, especially to the railing around the statue of Benvenuto Cellini. This is a recent tradition for the Ponte Vecchio, although it has been practiced in Russia and in Asia before. It was perhaps introduced by the padlock shop owner at the end of the bridge. It is popularly connected to idea of love and lovers: by locking the padlock and throwing the key into the river, the lovers became eternally bonded. This is an example of the negative impact of mass tourism: thousands of padlocks needed to be removed frequently, spoiling or damaging the structure of the centuries-old bridge; however, it seems to have decreased after the city administration put a sign on the bridge mentioning a 50€ penalty for those caught locking something to the fence.
The bridge was severely damaged in the 1966 Flood of the River Arno in Florence.
The bridge is mentioned in the famous aria O mio babbino caro.
(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_Vecchio)
360 degree panorama in Florence. Photo by Ilia Zakaraia, PANOTOUR.GE -Discover Georgia with 360 degre...
Benvenuto Cellini (3 November 1500 – 13 February 1571) was an Italian goldsmith, sculptor, painter, s...
Overview and History
Florence has been relaxing since the very beginning, when Julius Caesar adapted the location to serve as a home for veteran soldiers. Its name means "flourishing" and that's what it's been doing ever since.
If we can ignore that pesky evidence of neolithic rock-smashers, Florence has been occupied for about two thousand years.
Caesar wisely chose the intersection of two rivers for the location of Florence, for defensive purposes. Admittedly he was not the first person to think of this idea, but we'll let him have it for now.
The Arno and Mugnone are the rivers over which Florentines built their beautiful bridges, in order to have something else to decorate. See Ponte Veccio for illustration.
Like all Roman cities, Florence was originally rectangular in shape, bearing long straight roads with ninety degree intersections. The heart of the city was originally at the intersection where today, you will find the Piazza della Republica.
"Piazza" means plaza, not pizza. For my American subway riders.
Being located in a fertile valley along a major river attracted people, commerce and wealth, according to the laws of burgeoning civilization, and Florence grew up to be a leader in all the new phases, such as the Cult of Isis and later, Christianity.
The dark ages hit Florence a little earlier than the rest of Europe. Because of its location on the Italian peninsula, it was fought over viciously during the Gotho-Byzantine war. When Florence was cut off from communications and trade with Rome in the 6th century, its status descended into terrible Lombard dominion most, most foul.
Charlemagne and the Carolingian empire were next up in the roster of rulers, so Florence became a county of the Holy Roman Empire.
Over the next five centuries Florence experienced more growth and construction and landed as the capital of the Tuscany region in the thirteenth century. Merchants' associations multiplied and brought international trade relations to Florence, and yet more wealth for the construction of Gothic buildings, such as the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore.
By the thirteenth century, Florence had rightly earned the reputation as the main city of the West. To symbolize this, they constructed the Palazzo della Signoria.
Enter Black Plague, 1348. Cue flood, wipe out bridges over Arno river. Begin serious urban planning as of fourteenth century, to remedy the economic and political crises.
Remedy? Rhymes with Medici? The Medici family took power by representing the disenfranchised middle class, and began the Italian Renaissance proper.
I suppose being bankers to the Pope didn't hurt the Medicis in their stellar rise to power and fame. The family sponsored generations of artists and thus became responsible for the creation of unsurpassable masterpieces by such titans as Leonardo di Vinci, Michaelangelo, Donatello, Boticelli, Brunelleschi... apologies to the curtness of this sneeze of a historical kleenex I write.
Let's jump to the year 1737, when the last of the Medicis died. Florence temporarily became part of the Austrian empire, then the capital of Italy in 1865. Rome took over six years later as capital and we enter the modern times.
Florence was occupied by the Germans for a year during World War Two. Mussolini met here with Hitler in 1940, after which he led Italy into the war as an Axis power.
In Florence, you will get an education in the Renaissance whether you mean to or not. Her progress now continues into the third millenium, where preservation may be the key word. Automobile exhaust is bad for marble, you know?
Getting There
If traveling by air, you'll fly into either Pisa International Airport or Peretola Airport. Or the ocean but let's say that won't happen.
Peretola is closer to Florence (5km) but it's a small, single-runway airport. In 1990 it was renamed after Amerigo Vespucci, so Peretola is also called Vespucci just to confuse matters. From it you can take a bus, taxi or rent a car to get where you're going. The bus takes about half an hour and costs less than five Euro.
Pisa airport is keeping Tuscany's profile high in the world! The best way to connect to Florence is by the train, which costs about the same five Euros but takes an hour and a half.
Arriving by train is another option for European travelers. For some reason they haven't finished the underground transatlantic subway so Americans will have to fly.
The Santa Maria Novella train station is right in the center of the city and offers connections to bus lines, taxis, or your shoes for walking. For long range view, it connects Rome, and all of southern Italy, to the rest of Europe.
Car rental information is here. Practice yelling and swerving first so you'll be ready.
Taxi fare from Vespucci airport should be about fifteen Euro.
The city transit is run by ATAF bus company. Tickets are under two Euro and you can buy them all over the place at newspaper stands and such.
Most importantly, the center of the city is closed to through traffic and requires a special residency permit to drive there. The restricted area is called the ZTL, or Zone of Traffic Limitation. Car renters make note.
People and Culture
Florence is a very international city and they're on the Euro, so visiting while you're in Europe is no problem. Skipping Florence is a problem. Trying to describe it is an even bigger one, so come and have a look for yourself. The drinking age is only eighteen and the city is filled with students.
Things to do & Recommendations
If you speak the language of food and wine, Florence will be your home away from home. Tuscany is one of the world's great wine producers; the Chianti region is only a few clicks west of Florence.
Outdoor cinemas, theater, opera, ballet, cafes, and museums will easily fill up your time walking and gawking.
Here is a short list of pinpoints to start with in Florence, again with apologies to everything and everyone we had to leave out in consideration of space.
Santa Croce: medieval Franciscan basilica, National Central Library
Rifredi: where you can find Medici villas and also Chinese and African immigrants, and Peretola airport.
Check out Oltrarno for a kinda bohemian neighborhood.
For nightlife, go through all the floors of Central Park (the club) and call me in the morning. Which will be around 3pm if you really do it. Here's the best link we've got since their site went down.
Now can you please pass me the carafe? People do not grow any older while we're at the table. Thanks!
Text by Steve Smith.


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A Fayetteville man was sentenced last Thursday in U.S. District Court to serve three years' probation for cocaine distribution.
Gerald Wayne Hopkins, 52, a mine safety instructor, admitted that on Feb. 1, 2012, he sold 2.94 grams of cocaine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement authorities.
Hopkins also admitted that the illegal distribution took place at his Fayetteville residence, where he conducted his mine safety training courses.
U.S. District Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. also ordered Hopkins to pay a $500 fine.
West Virginia State Police conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney John File handled the prosecution.


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Windows 7 Tips and Tricks Part 3
Download Now Free registration required
Executive Summary
Planning a Windows 7 Upgrade? Download this paper and learn 7 Tips and Tricks to make the transition seamless and make the most out of your new operating system. Learn things like personalizing your desktop background, utilizing tools like the Windows 7 calculator, smart printing, shake it up, auto arranging your desktop, new right click features, and accessing hidden drives on your computer.
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Watertown catches flack for "roommate ban"
Watertown, NY, Mar 08, 2013 — The Watertown City Council has gotten a lot of pushback and even ridicule in the media recently for passing what's being referred to as a "roommate ban." Last month, in response to a neighbor dispute, the City Council removed language from the zoning code that allowed the renting out of rooms in single-family homes. But city planning officials say the regulatory change is completely unenforceable.
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- Spotlight on Nollywood: The Place
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A bright young journalist battles homelessness after her drug addicted sister throws her out of the house.
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This week's report on the Affordable Care Act in Illinois focuses on a forgotten sector of the population…jail inmates.
This is not something that is mandated by law but McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery said making sure his inmates are covered when they get out is "just the right thing to do."
While inmates cannot complete the process of getting health insurance while incarcerated, the sheriff and his staff are attempting to at least give the inmates a head start by having them begin the application process so when they finish their time, they will save time getting enrolled in coverage.
"So that when they leave, they have services to mental health, they have substance abuse, they have medical care because after if they're getting medical care in jail, they're still going to need it when they get out," Emery said.
Brenda McDowell of Chestnut Health Systems of Bloomington is counseling the sheriff's department and other McLean County agencies on the ACA.
"We're working with the health department, housing...just helping people who don't have insurance," McDowell said. "We see a lot of people who don't have insurance, so this is a way of helping them get insurance."
This pre-application process does not cost the taxpayers.
Jackie Mathias of inmate services said the more help they give prisoners now, the less likely they will be to commit another crime when they get out.


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BMCC Ice Cream 12 Pack
|This catalog has no sub-catalogs.
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Jun 19, 2014
Learn how News UK plans to save millions of dollars by becoming next generation digital enterprise on the Cloud The days for evangelization of the cloud are just about over. It is now perceived as a powerful driver for innovative business initiatives, rather than just an IT platform. But, Public cloud adoption is marred by outage incidents, lack... More
May 21, 2014
BPM is used to structure, standardize, automate, and optimize complex corporate processes. The foundation of Business Process Management projects is a repeatable BPM methodology. It enables stakeholders with a step-by-step methodology, which ensures that projects and processes are in alignment with the planned objectives. This webinar will focus... More
May 15, 2014
Ensuring operational integrity of critical assets and installations is of paramount importance and whilst Asset Integrity Management has always been acknowledged as an important discipline, the following drivers have contributed to it becoming a critical capability: Increased commercial, regulatory and environmental focus Recent high... More
May 08, 2014
The insurance industry is in the midst of a massive shortage for skilled workforce, and this shortage will only worsen over the coming years. Increased competition for skilled labor combined with radical changes in technology is shifting the employee's expectations towards their careers. Please join Dr. Steven Hunt, Vice President- Customer... More
Mar 26, 2014
Recent research has shown that on average, large enterprises could save more than $6m per annum by consolidating their SAP® footprint. Join this exclusive webinar to find out where organizations should be looking to fully understand the significant cost savings that can be achieved as a result of instance consolidation. Topics covered include... More
Jan 23, 2014
Topic Summary Seeking improvements in customer insight, performance and efficiency, insurers have been striving for years to digitize various aspects of their operations. Now, with the disruptive forces of mobility, big data and analytics, social media, digitization of the insurance business is becoming pervasive and has the potential to help... More


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By Jill Harmacinski
---- — When William Lantigua became mayor in 2010, his new receptionist ordered a trash truck, two ambulances and a school bus be shipped to the Dominican Republic.
At Lantigua campaign fund-raisers, money was collected for event tickets and raffles and the cash was then handed to mayor's campaign treasurer, Methuen Police Officer Elvin Alarcon.
And when police workers were ordered by Lantigua's campaign manager Deputy Police Chief Melix Bonilla to illegally swap 13 seized cars for four, they did it because they felt threatened and intimidated — even though they knew what they were doing was unlawful.
These actions and are others are detailed in testimony provided by witnesses to a state grand jury investigating the Lantigua administration on suspicion of corruption, bid rigging, suspicious out of country travel, and campaign finance violations. The hundreds of pages of transcripts include testimony from Auxiliary Police Chief Jay Jackson, Police Chief John Romero, Police Capt. Roy Vasque, and Bonilla, who pleaded the Fifth Amendment eight times during his testimony.
The transcript of the grand jury testimony was submitted as part of a motion to dismiss the charges of corruption, bribery and fraud against Bonilla for his role in the illegal car swap.
No charges have been brought against Lantigua or other members of his current administration, although other Lantigua allies in City Hall have also testified, including his former Chief of Staff Leonard Degnan, Personnel Director Frank Bonet, Elections Coordinator Rafael Tejeda, Lantigua's paramour
Lorenza Ortega, and the mayor's right-hand man, Economic Development Director Patrick Blanchette. Their testimony was not part of the transcript filed Friday. The transcript only contains testimony pertinent to Bonilla.
Degnan also has been charged with extorting the city's former trash hauler, Allied Waste, to donate the trash truck of Lantigua's hometown of Tenares in the Dominican.
Here is a look at what some of the witnesses have testified to in the grand jury still seated at Salem Superior Court:
Melix Bonilla
Bonilla went before the grand jury on April 5, 2012, accompanied by his then defense lawyer Frank Mondano of Boston.
He was subpoenaed to testify and also provide the grand jury with documents pertaining to his role as hackney unit supervisor.
Bonilla said for 10 years he oversaw licensing of taxi cab and livery companies for the city. But when prosecutor Michael Patten asked him what his duties and responsibilities were as a hackney unit supervisor, Bonilla repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination.
In total, Bonilla pleaded the Fifth eight times under questioning by Patten.
Under subpoena, Bonilla did provide the grand jury with a variety of documents, including those detailing hackney licenses, livery permits and taxi cab medallions dating back to 2010.
Bonilla was also asked to produce any correspondence between Lantigua or anyone in the mayor's office pertaining to hackney licenses, livery permits, taxi cab medallions or other matters of business handled by the hackney division.
"The term, correspondence, shall include, without limitation all e-mails, memorandums, text messages, instant messages, notes and voice messages," said Patten, reading from the subpoena issued to Bonilla.
Bonilla said he produced all documents kept by the police department's hackney division.
"Are you aware of the existence of any correspondence with Mayor William Lantigua?" Patten asked.
Bonilla pleaded the Fifth.
Patten then asked if he was aware of any correspondence with anyone "employed by or working in the mayor's office."
Again, Bonilla pleaded the Fifth.
Patten again asked Bonilla if he's aware of the "existence of any correspondence" from anyone in the mayor's office pertaining to or concerning the hackney unit.
Bonilla again pleaded the Fifth.
Bernardo Pena
Pena is the owner and president of Santo Domino Motors, with lots on Haverhill Street and Broadway in Lawrence.
On May 30, 2012, Pena, accompanied by his lawyer Arthur Broadhurst of Methuen, testified he financially benefited from a car swap plan introduced to him by Bonilla in April 2010 — four months after Lantigua took office and Bonilla was promoted by Lantigua from sergeant to deputy chief.
Pena swapped four Impalas he paid $24,780 for at auction for 13 city-owned vehicles seized by police in drug arrests which he later sold for $61,350. Pena said his net profit, after repairing the 13 swap cars, was $24,495.
In one car swapped with the city, Pena said it cost him $2,000 to remove a drug hide compartment from the vehicle. A Cadillac Escalade, previously driven by a drug detective, was spruced up and resold for $12,900. A Lexus sold for $12,300 and Chrysler resold for $11,500, Pena testified. Pena said he'd never done such a car swap deal with the city before.
"That's what I do for a living, buy and sell cars. And the cars needed a lot of work. They were in very bad shape, but that's what I do, you know, that's the best that I do. I used to sell salvage cars, and I'm an expert, you know, in putting cars together and stuff like that," Pena told the grand jurors.
Around June 2010, after Pena said he had already taken possession of the 13 cars and sold one of them, John 'Jay' Jackson, a civilian police department employee in charge of fleet maintenance, along with an appraiser, came to his dealership to inspect the cars and determine their value. At the time, Pena said he talked with Bonilla about the car swap being legitimate.
"You know, right around there, you know, we had a couple conversations that we did nothing wrong, you know, that was a normal procedure that was done here for 20 years, and that's what it was generally, that's what he was saying," Pena testified.
John Dawley, the first assistant district attorney, then asked Pena, "So do I understand your testimony correctly is that Mr. Bonilla said to you that the exchange of vehicles was the normal procedure that had been done?"
Pena answered affirmatively. "That they've done it before ... I don't know if it's a normal thing ... but they had done it before, that it shouldn't be a problem," he said.
Under Dawley's questioning, Pena also testified that he oversaw the shipment of a trash truck, two ambulances, and a school bus to the Dominican Republic at the request of Jorge Jaime, Lantigua's former receptionist. Jaime is now a supervisor in the city's public works department.
Pena said part of his business involves arranging the shipment of vehicles to Santo Domingo through a Linden, N.J., service called Cartaner Ocean Lines. He testified he was paid by the government in the Dominican Republic to ship the truck, ambulances and school bus.
Pena's cousin in the Dominican Republic would get the check from the Dominican government for the overseas shipment and then wire the money to Pena to pay. Pena denied several times he "advanced" payment for the shipment.
However, Pena did not have any documents with him that day that showed exactly how Cartaner was paid for the shipments.
Pena also told jurors he campaigned for Lantigua, a longtime friend, and had written out checks to his campaign. He also said he sold tickets to Lantigua fundraisers, which were largely held in nightclubs and offered raffles. Pena said when he was paid cash for tickets, he would turn the cash over to Elvin Alarcon, a Methuen police officer who served as Lantigua's campaign treasurer.
"Did you ever hand the cash to Lantigua himself?" Dawley asked.
"No, no, no," Pena replied.
Under Dawley's questioning, Pena said he and his wife travelled to the Dominican in 2009 with Lantigua and his girlfriend Lorenza Ortega, as well as Degnan and his wife Carla. They stayed in Pena's home there and also at his friend's and relative's homes. Pena said they each paid for their own airfares.
On return trips to the Dominican Republic, Lantigua stayed with Pena's relatives, he said.
John 'Jay' Jackson
Jackson is the Lawrence Police Department facilities director and former fleet manager as well as the unpaid auxiliary police chief.
On April 25, 2012, Jackson told grand jurors that shortly after Bonilla was promoted, the newly named deputy police chief called him into his office and said they were going to trade 13 city-owned cars for four Chevy Impalas through Santo Domingo Motors.
Jackson said Bonilla told him this deal "was at the approval of the mayor."
Jackson testified he told Bonilla the cars couldn't simply be traded. They had to be advertised and auctioned off — a process Jackson said he had overseen at least 10 times before. But Bonilla, he said, replied "we will do it this way."
"....and he was adamant about the situation," Jackson said.
Jackson said Bonilla's demeanor was "demeaning ... a little bit arrogant and definitely authoritative." He said he knew Bonilla could fire him. The police department was his sole source of income and health insurance, and after having a heart attack four years prior, Jackson said he didn't want to lose his insurance.
Prosecutor Michael Patten asked him if it was "fair to say ... you were only pursuing this course of action and going through with this deal, acting under fear that you could lose your job if you disobeyed?"
"Correct," Jackson replied. He also agreed with Patten that he acted against his better will and judgment.
Jackson said Bonilla called him to his office two weeks later and introduced him to Pena. Bonilla then told him Pena would start taking possession of 13 cars. Jackson said he did not raise any concerns for fear he would lose his job. It appeared "that this was a done deal," Jackson testified.
A couple of days later, the three met on the fourth floor of a parking garage on Merrimack Street, where the 13 cars had been stored. Bonilla and Pena spoke to each other in Spanish and Jackson, who doesn't speak Spanish, "backed away some."
"They were pointing and talking back and forth. I had no idea what they were talking about," Jackson said.
Pena later came back with a worker and a tow truck and they started taking the cars, he said. Jackson said he had not signed any of the car titles over to Pena and no appraisals or estimates on the cars were taken. He had also not seen the four Impalas the police department was supposed to get in exchange. Within 10 days, all 13 cars are removed from city storage.
"And is it fair to say from the position you're in, watching this go down, the whole thing stinks," Patten asked.
"Yes," Jackson replied.
"And you knew that?" Patten asked.
"Yes. Oh yes ... I was intimidated," Jackson said.
While the car swap deal was going down, Jackson said his $38,000-per-year civilian job at the police department was cut from 32 to 20 hours. Bonilla had also asked him for captain, lieutenant and sergeant auxiliary police badges so Lantigua could promote three of the unpaid officers. Jackson testified he disagreed with the promotions and also questioned Degnan about his salary and hours reductions.
"And did all of this have an impact, as I said, for you to act against your will and better judgment in facilitating the car swap deal, which you knew was either wrong way to do things and possibly even violated the law?" Patten asked.
"Most certainly," Jackson replied. "I felt threatened. I felt intimidated. My authority was actually eroding, after being with the actual force for 40 years. I figured, this was the end of it. My pay had been cut. The next would be is — I don't have a job, and that would be my entire life."
In late May or early June, the Impalas arrived. Jackson said he went to Santo Domingo Motors and signed over the 13 titles. The cars were swapped and titles transferred but no one had performed appraisals or estimates on the cars' value, he said. Jackson said that police Chief John Romero was not told of the deal and that he received all orders from Bonilla.
On July 6, 2010, Jackson said he was called into Romero's office where the chief questioned him on the illegal car swap. It was the first time Jackson said he had spoken to Romero about the swap and the chief orders a certified appraisal done on all 17 cars. Jackson said he went to Edmunds.com to begin the process.
"And this is the first time you actually sat down and tried to figure out the value of the vehicles?" Patten asked.
"Yes," Jackson said. Jackson estimated the Impalas were worth $28,263, and the 13 other cars were valued at $21,054. Jackson admitted his figures were geared to making the deal look "on the up and up."
Unsatisfied with the online appraisal, Jackson testified Romero ordered him to get a "real" appraisal from a certified appraiser. Jackson said he went to Wayne Demers at Motta Auto Body in Methuen.
Jackson then admits that he was "backfilling" the deal. He also said he never told Bonilla that Romero was questioning him on the car values.
"... I was in fear that (Bonilla) would probably think that I was trying to backstab him or something, and I didn't want to get in the middle of it," Jackson testified.
Bonilla did find out and Jackson said the deputy chief confronted him and got upset.
"He was upset and I just wanted to get out of his office," Jackson said.
For two years, the Impalas sat unused in a city parking garage. Two were put on the road right before Jackson testified before the grand jury, he said.
Wayne Demers
Wayne Demers is the owner Motta Auto Body in Methuen. On April 19, 2012, Demers testified that two years prior, Jackson came to his business and asked him if he could visit Santo Domingo Motors in Lawrence and give his opinion on the value of 13 cars the city owned and four Santo Domingo Motors owned. The valuations were needed because "they wanted to do a car swap," Demers said.
"(Jackson) says he wanted it to look like it was a mutual, you know, swap, that the valuations were similar, all right," Demers testified. " ... he wanted it to look like the vehicles were a good deal for the city."
Demers testified he had never done anything like that before for Jackson or the city. Demers said he already knew the deal was done and testified Pena had already sold one of the cars. Demers looked at 12 cars on Pena's lots and the four Impalas in city storage. A couple of days later, Jackson called him and asked if the appraisals were ready.
Demers testified Jackson said "We don't need you to get too involved, Wayne. We just need something quick to throw in the file."
Demers said he just "scribbled something" and gave it to Jackson.
"They already made the deal. No matter what I wrote, didn't matter," Demers said, as he was questioned by prosecutor Michael Sheehan.
Demers estimated the Impalas were worth $24,000 to $28,000 and the remaining 13 cars between $18,000 to $26,000.
"And as I think you said before, you had known that the deal had been essentially completed and that your valuation — that one of the cars, was already sold?" Sheehan asked.
"Correct," Demers replied.
After he testified, a grand juror asked Demers if he asked Jackson why an appraisal was needed if the swap was already done.
Demers replied, "He says they needed something to put in the file that would probably never be opened."
Another juror asked why Jackson came to him, in Methuen, instead of a shop in Lawrence.
'My understanding — they were wearing out the shops in the city," Demers said.
Roy Vasque
Vasque is a captain in the Lawrence Police Department, overseeing the drug, auto theft and fraud, and community policing units.
When Vasque testified before the grand jury on April 30, 2012, he said Bonilla called him into his office in 2010 and spoke to him about the car swap. Vasque said he didn't "necessarily think it was a good idea."
Vasque said he asked Bonilla some questions about the deal and "he just said that's the way we want to do it."
Vasque said he knew there was a protocol for competitive bidding and auction for the seized cars but he didn't say anything to Bonilla.
"Why not," prosecutor Michael Patten asked.
"Well, because he's my boss and I didn't want to come off as insurbordinate," Vasque said.
"So you were — based on what you're telling us, you had some concerns about mentioning anything further to the deputy chief out of fear that there would be some action against you if you questioned his authority?" Patten asked.
"Yes," Vasque replied. "My attitude was ... if that's what he wanted to do, then that's what he wanted to do."
Bonilla told Vasque to turn over all the keys to the seized vehicles to Jackson. Vasque spoke with two drug detectives about the keys and Bonilla's swap plan.
"I told them both just give them what they want and, you know, be done with it. Wash your hands of it. Don't get involved," he testified. "... I was worried that if it was going in the wrong direction that I didn't want them to get caught up in it."
Patten asked, "And when you say wrong direction, do you mean whether it's even a lawful arrangement?"
"Correct," Vasque said.
John Romero
Police Chief Romero testified May 30, 2012. He told grand jurors that in early April 2010, Bonilla sent him a memo about swapping 13 drug forfeiture cars. Romero said he told Bonilla to "explore the idea" and get back to him.
"You simply told him, look into it, explore it and get back to you with what he comes up with?" prosecutor Michael Sheehan asked.
"Correct," Romero said.
Romero said he had several follow-up discussions with Bonilla about his swap plan between April and July 2010. Bonilla never gave him any details, only saying, "We're still looking at it," Romero said.
In July 2010, Romero said Jackson told him the swap with Santo Domingo Motors was a "done deal."
" ... He indicated to me that he had already signed over the titles of those 13 cars," Romero said.
"Under the direction of?" Sheehan asked.
"Deputy Chief Bonilla," Romero replied.
Romero testified that on July 6, 2010, he instructed Jackson to get appraisals on all vehicles involved in the swap. Jackson did as he asked but Romero said the numbers still didn't seem right.
"We launched an investigation ... We went to an outside agency and provided them with information regarding this transaction," Romero said.
"What was that agency?" Sheehan asked.
"The FBI," Romero answered.


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Rental Quick Search
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Enduro Cup
|Building upon the success of the first ever Enduro mountain bike race held in Utah, the 2012 Bell Wasatch Enduro at Canyons Resort, the 2013 Enduro Cup will utilize the Italian Super Enduro format with three competition and three transfer stages. This will be the second Utah stop of the three in the Enduro Cup Series.
The Enduro Cup at Canyons Resort features a true European format, 6 stages covering 17 miles, 3 timed technical descents and 3 untimed climbs. While the climbs are untimed, there is a cut off time.
Racers will be treated to a premier event based out of the Canyons Resort Village, in the mountain bike mecca of Park City, Utah. Beautiful and challenging aspen lined trails, professional chip timing, allowing for updated results after every stage! Post-race meal, Athlete gift bag and raffle, plus, stick around for the free concert featuring reggae band See-I and watch the Pros collect their big checks on the Mountain Stage in front of 3000+ attendees.
Click here for lodging deals!


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2013 International Education Week: Calendar of Events
Thursday, November 14
Global Café: Italy
Intercultural Center | 12:30pm-2:00pm
A place where all international and American students, faculty, and staff are welcome! Come learn about Italy and its rich cultures. Refreshments will be served.
Co-sponsors: Office of Intercultural Relations and Global Ambassador Program
South Sudan, Abukloi and ODU Center for Global Health
Potomac/York River Rooms, Webb Center | 4:30pm-5:30pm
South Sudan suffers a lack of infrastructural development, serious health problems, and major destruction. The founder of Abukloi, Angelo Maker is one of the lost boys from South Sudan, an ODU alum, will speak about the needs of the region. After a short film, panelists will discuss the current situationin South Sudan and ODU's faculty and student involvement.
Sponsored by the ODU Center for Global Health& the Office of Intercultural Relations
Friday, November 15
Persian Movie Night: No One Knows about the Persian Cats
BAL 1012 | 6:15pm-9:00pm
The Movie is a 2009 Iranian film directed by Bahman Ghobadi produced by Wild Bunch. The film offers perspective of Iran as it explores its underground Rock scene. It won the Special Jury Prize Ex-aequo in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival.
Sponsors: ODU PERSIA & Office of Intercultural Relations
Tuesday, November 19
International's Men Day
North Mall, Webb Center | 6:15pm-9:00pm
International Men's Day focuses on promoting men's health awareness, improving gender relations, and highlighting positive male role models around the world.
Sponsor: Office of Counseling Services
How Israel Handles Syria's Current Unrest
Intercultural Center, 2114Webb Center | 1:30pm-2:30pm
A presentation on Israel and how the country has been dealing with injured Syrian refugees.
Sponsor: Hillel
Innovative Practices in International Education
Chesapeake & Portsmouth Room, Webb Center | 1:00pm-2:00pm
Faculty, students, and staff interested in international education are invited to a panel presentation that will actively engage participants in a discussion of new, creative, and innovative practices in four key areas of international education: study abroad; internationalizing the curriculum; international development; and international student and scholar services. Attendees will have ample time to engage the panelists in a sustained dialogue about emerging practices in international education.
Sponsor: Higher Education Graduate Program & the Office of Intercultural Relations
International Restaurant Night
Café 1201, Webb Center | 4:00pm-9:00pm
A night to enjoy international cuisines, games, and performances.
Sponsor: ODU Monarch Dining
Global Game Connection
Hampton/Newport News Room, Webb Center | 5:00pm-9:00pm
Enjoy games from around the word and engage with the ODU global community.
Sponsor: Chess Club & the Office of Intercultural Relations
For more information contact the Office of Intercultural Relations at (757) 683-4406, odu.edu/oir, or firstname.lastname@example.com
Posted By: Stephanie Riggs
Date: Thu Nov 14 09:15:29 EST 2013


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Companies have to pay service tax on payments to such directors
Non-executive directors have got service tax reprieve. The Finance Ministry has said that the company –not the non-executive director – has to fork out service tax on payments to such directors.
The service tax will be entirely collected from the company concerned under a reverse charge mechanism, according to the Finance Ministry.
A reverse charge mechanism involves the recipient of the service paying the service tax, rather than the service provider. In this case, the company is the service recipient and the non-executive director is the service provider.
Ever since the "negative list" of services taxation was ushered in from July 1, it was widely perceived that payments to directors would attract service tax.
This is because such payments were not specifically mentioned in the list.
But by bringing payments to directors under reverse charge, there is relief for non-executive directors.
The company concerned would also have to go through the compliance burden and register itself with the service tax authorities.
"By making the reverse charge provision of tax on services of non-executive director and nominee director, the Central Government has given great respite to individual directors," said J.K. Mittal, Co-Chairman of Assocham National Council on Indirect Taxes.
Some sections of corporate India feel that there may not be any case for service tax at all on payments made to directors.
They point out that a Finance Ministry circular had, in 2009, said that directors were performing management functions and undertaking fiduciary responsibilities and, therefore, were exempt from service tax. It is now contended that the same logic should hold good even in a negative list regime.
"My view is that service tax should not be collected at all from payments made to non-executive directors. There is no question of directors providing any service as they are only discharging fiduciary responsibility and performing management function," said P.K. Rustagi, Vice-President, Legal and Company Secretary, JK Tyres & Industries.
He said that Government will surely not be better off in terms of additional revenues in the case of manufacturing companies, as these will claim Cenvat credit (set it off against excise dues) on service tax forked out towards director payments.


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Derry News
---- — DERRY — Twice a month, Elijah's Table in Derry offers free meals to the community.
It is attended by families having a hard time making ends meet, elderly on a restricted income, single folk just looking for some company and lots of young kids helping out.
The meals are delicious and the atmosphere is great.
On Sunday, March 24, there will be a free dinner, open to all, sponsored by Elijah's Table, a joint project of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration and Etz Hayim Synagogue.
The dinner will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Etz Hayim Synagogue, 1-1/2 Hood Road in Derry.
There will be eggplant parmesan, pasta, vegetables, delicious dessert and a few prizes.
The atmosphere is warm and friendly, and all are welcomed.
For more information about Elijah's Table and for a listing of other free meals in the Derry/Londonderry area, go to freemealsinderry.blogspot.com.


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I am delighted and honored that your ministerial search committee has invited me to be your ministerial candidate. I am really looking forward to meeting you in person and getting to know one another.
My Bio
Some of my Articles and Essays
Preaching, Praying, and Dancing
Some of my Sermons and Speeches
Finding me In the Media


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Recent Rally Racing News
Surgical Precision: MotoGP Superstar Valentino "The Doctor" Rossi Smokes Monza Rally Show, Tops World-Class Drivers
You can call him the "Renaissance Man" on all wheels. Oakley's MotoGP Superstar, Valentino Rossi, displayed yet again what a racing phenomenon he truly is this past weekend – smashing a field of some of the world's top rally car drivers to emerge victorious at the Monza Rally Show. The result was his third all-time win at the event. Dazzling more than 30,000 raucous fans in the Milan region, the seven-time GP World Champion racked up two victories for Team VR46 Racing (Oakley-Monster) in his WRC (World Rally Championship)-Spec Ford Fiesta – taking the Stage Rally and the Master Show. Clipping Rinaldo Capello by 2.8 seconds, it was yet another showcase of his competitive gift for dominating tracks even out of his primary sport. The sheer elation from the event added to an already positive swing in momentum for the Italian speed demon – who recently switched back to the Yamaha MotoGP Team after struggling through a Championship drought.
FIA World Rallye Championship – Rallye de France – Alsace
The Alsace Rallye de France as a whole and specifically at our Oakley O-Lab seemed to be centered around not only a great rally car race but also around one of Oakley's most beloved athletes: Sebastién Loeb.
Rally Legend: WRC Superstar Sebastien Loeb Graces X Games, Easily Claims RallyCross Victory
Most X Games fans in the United States more than likely weren't familiar with Sebastien Loeb. Little did they know – especially due to a lack of publicity by the Games – that a Global World Rally Car Championship (WRC) Superstar and Legend was in their midst. Oakley's eight-time WRC Champion, famous worldwide as an absolute Rally Car Icon in the actual global circuit, made his first-ever appearance in the United States. And as expected, he absolutely punished the field of X Games drivers – lined with crossover riders – displaying the skills of a true international Rally champion. In other words, he was simply next level on his way to an easy Gold.


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My wife and I decided to take 12 of our children, grandchildren and significant others on this short cruise to Bermuda. None of them had taken more than 1 cruise previously and several hadn't ever cruised before. Like everthing, there were both good and not so good things, but the good far outweighed everything else.
Embarkation: Getting to the terminal was a horror. It took about 90 minutes for our rented bus to get from East Islip, Long Island to the entrance of the Cape Liberty area (by 12:30pm) and another 60 minutes waiting in a huge line of vehicles. If a police officer hadn't allowed our bus to take a bit of a detour we would have been on line for at least an hour and a half. Once in the terminal, however, the process moved along quickly. It is a shabby facility and really is in need of a make-over.
Our Stateroom: We booked the Owner's Suite so that the family could gather there or just hang out with us. It was large (0ver 500 sq. ft.), very comfortable and well worth the expense (although it's not something we would do each time). The others had a mix of balcony cabins and rooms with just windows. They were all happy with their accommodations.
Staff: Every single staff person with whom we came in contact was smiling, friendly and helpful. Our cabin steward, Teddy, and our dining room waiter and asst. waiter, Ricardo and Bassem, were the best. They were so good that we gave them more than the recommended tips.
Food: While one should never expect gourmet food in the main dining room or the buffet, it was quite good. I thought the MDR menu should have included a bit more of a variety but everyone found something they liked and several of us ordered a second entree on some nights.
Entertainment: The production shows were more of what we had seen on other ships.....nothing special. I didn't find the comedian very funny and we were kind of disappointed in general. The exception was the ice show, which was spectacular.
Condition of the Ship: Many reviews of the EOS mentioned her age and the fact that they saw some signs of age. We didn't. We did not see worn carpeting, areas that needed paint, or anything else that would indicate a servicing need.
All in all this was a wonderful experience.


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When it comes to prioritizing public safety, Lancaster County Republicans have worked hard to ensure our law enforcement and judicial needs are well-funded.
Over the last two years, Lancaster County Council, with a Republican majority, has funded a number of new positions in the sheriff's and solicitor's offices.
These will help work to ensure that Lancaster County doesn't see the kind of rampant violence that is all too common just to the north of our county in Charlotte.
It only took Lancaster County Council a few minutes to sort out the mechanics of their vote, but once all was said and done, a plan for Mattamy Homes to rezone the former TreeTops site in Van Wyck had been put permanently on hold.
HEATH SPRINGS – In the last 15 years, growth in the Panhandle has exploded.
INDIAN LAND – A Lancaster County Library Board committee reviewing the board's meeting room policy met at Indian Land's Del Webb Library on Aug. 26 to discuss their findings and prepare for a Sept. 3 meeting to discuss the matter with county officials.
The Lancaster Junior Golf Association all-star golfers produced a strong showing in the annual S.C. Junior Golf Association Thomas D. Todd all-star tournament at the Patriot Golf Club in Ninety Six where the event was held Aug. 23-24.
The Lancaster High School swim team is looking for another solid season in the pool.
The Bruins, in their 17th season, are looking to produce another winning campaign after going 7-3 last fall.
INDIAN LAND – Firsts can often be nerve-wracking experiences, and the first game of a high school football season is no exception.
The coach Bobby Collins era at Lancaster High School opened in a big way Friday, Aug. 29.
The Bruins struck with the big play to post a 41-6 win over county rival Andrew Jackson High School at Memorial Stadium.
Guns, escape and violent crimes are nothing new to Deqwon Mykel Blackmon, the attempted murder suspect who ran away from the Lancaster County Detention Center on Friday, Aug. 29.
There is good reason why local authorities say Blackmon, who was not armed at the time he fled, should be considered dangerous.
Your state will spend around $25 billion this year. That is a vast amount of money, but you know virtually nothing about what's being spent, or why. That's not because you're uninformed or lazy. The state budget is designed to be as opaque, secretive and abstruse as possible.
Copyright © 2014
The Lancaster News is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Lancaster County and Lancaster, South Carolina, and the surrounding area..


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« New Music: Fabolous f/ Ne-Yo & Ryan Leslie – 'Look at Her (Killin' 'Em Part 2)'
Beyoncé Praises Adele: 'I Feel Like I'm Listening to God' »
New Music: Bei Maejor f/ J. Cole – 'Trouble'
Bei Maejor makes his North Carolina connect with J. Cole on "Trouble," the new single from the hitmaker's Jive Records debut. The club-geared tune features an electronically-kissed beat that bounces alongside finger snaps, with the Grammy-nominated prodigy warning his girl not to get too close for fear of taking the relationship too far.
"I told you not to wear that dress to the club, tryna dance up on me/ I told you not to push that thang on me if you know I want it/ That's gon' get you in trouble," he sings before passing the baton to the Roc Nation MC for his verse.
Get into some trouble below.
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UPDATE: Alleged rape victim labels Ranger "crazy sex pest", claims she received messages from Andy Carroll and Titus Bramble (From Swindon Advertiser)
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UPDATE: Alleged rape victim labels Ranger "crazy sex pest", claims she received messages from Andy Carroll and Titus Bramble
Updated 4:55pm Tuesday 25th February 2014 in News
SWINDON Town striker Nile Ranger was labelled a "sex pest" and a "predator" by a girl he allegedly went on to rape in a hotel, a court has heard.
Ranger, 22, is accused of raping the girl after they had been out drinking together in Newcastle city centre.
The striker denies the charge that relates to an incident that took place in January last year.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that the pair met at the Empress bar, where he bought them drinks, but she was unable to remember anything else until she woke up naked in a hotel room the next day.
The jury was read a series of messages from the weeks prior to the incident that Ranger sent the alleged victim, often in the early hours of the morning.
In these he would repeatedly ask her to meet him at a flat or to go out for drinks but she refused.
In one exchange she said: "No, you're a sex pest, told you I would be mates, nothing more."
In another she wrote: "You're like a crazy sex pest animal let out of its cage on a monthly cycle." And in another: "You're a predator, can't deal with that sh*t."
She also referred to him as "Nile Ripper".
Giving evidence by video link, the girl said Ranger had been messaging her for over a year and she regularly told him that she had a boyfriend.
In one message she said: "No, it's not all about sex, you know, Nile, I have been dating him for a while."
Earlier CCTV footage was shown of the pair arriving in a taxi at the Carlton Hotel in Jesmond, Newcastle, and she can be seen falling out of the car.
Christine Egerton, prosecuting, told the court it was "crystal clear that she was not consenting" as at the time "she was so incapacitated by drink or something unknown that she found it difficult to walk and has no memory whatsoever of what occurred".
The alleged victim told the jury she had also received messages from footballers Andy Carroll and Titus Bramble.
She claimed Carroll asked her to meet in a hotel.
"I asked Nile where they were getting my number from but he said he did not know," she said.
Toby Hedworth QC, defending, put it to her that the amount of contact between them showed she had been happy with messaging him.
"What is so difficult about not messaging someone back if you don't want to be messaging him?" he asked.
"You were perfectly happy to be his friend and sending messages to him."
But she said it was only ever friendship that she was interested in and said: "I'm point blank not attracted to Nile."
The case continues.


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Schoolsfirst DROPS Access Checking
Schoolsfirst DROPS Access Checking
Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - 1:56 PM
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
Just to alert those members of SchoolsFirst (was OCTFCU) -- a large credit union in California .... just got notice that they're elminating their "access checking" accounts. Previously, they had 3 levels, and "access checking" was the middle level -- totally free if you keep $500 in any account at the bank, and that included 6 free non-network ATM withdrawls. NO MORE. Now, in an attempt to (as they put it) "streamline" (yeah, right) their checking accounts, there are only two options. (1) Free checking -- with NO free non-network ATM allowance anymore (for instance, if you go out of the area, or travel overseas, SchoolsFirst will now ding you $1 for each and every ATM useage not on the CoOp network, as well as whatever the local ATM owner charges you), or (2) investment checking, for which you get the 6 free non-network ATMs a month, but must have $1000 (not $500) in only the checking account -- and which incurs a $3/month fee for the first year -- that then goes up to $6/mo after the first year, while it pays terribly meager dividens (0.05%, or a "whopping" 0.10% if you have over $100,000).
A real shame for those of us who want a basic free checking account but an occasional free non-network ATM access (such as when perhaps taking a vacation). They still offer the free checking, but you will now lose the free ATM allowance, and will be billed for every single one.
This becomes effective May 15th 2013.
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text: GALLERIES William L. Petersen Alan Tudyk Alan Tudyk Ana Ortiz Ana Ortiz Mickey Rooney Mickey Rooney Tony Sirico Tony Sirico Coming Next OR 0 8 Back to Top ▲ William L. Petersen William L. Petersen William L. Petersen picture 2 AskMen Editors Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Shares On CSI, whenever William L. Petersen's bowlegged gait popped up, it seemed like a believable, if superfluous, trait for an egg-headed, insect-loving scientist with few social skills. The truth is that Petersen's gait is partly the product of the way he spent his youth, as a mega jock tearing up his knees playing baseball and football. It's just one of many surprises that await the casual... Continue reading William L. Petersen's profile. Next Page gallery Oliver Stone John Malkovich Carol Mendelsohn Billy Friedkin Gary Cole Gary Sinise Laura Metcalf John Mahoney Anthony Zuiker William L. Petersen Comments Load Comments More Like This Promoted Best of the Web Special Features


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Following the ceremony to open the new Music City Center, Mayor Karl Dean gave the 50th annual State of Metro Address, in which he pushed for improved public education, more mass transit and creating new housing for low-income residents.
The mayor applauded the benefits of immigrants coming to Nashville and their entrepreneurial spirit contributing to the city's growth. He said the city must continue to welcome immigrants.
"Nashville needs to be known as a city of opportunity," said Dean. "We're on the right path. We need to keep pushing. This is not the time to be timid."
The mayor said education remains his top priority and will be until he leaves office.
He's a proponent of school choice, which includes support for more charter schools.
"Its going to get uncomfortable at times for grown-ups. Things are going to have to change. We can't be guided by the same approach we've had to public education for the last 30 years," Dean said.
Increasing the number of charter schools has been a point of contention because the dollars follow the students. When kids leave public education, tax dollars go where they go. That means less money for public schools.
The mayor also announced a fund to help non-profits create more affordable housing, saying the city needs to embrace and welcome immigrants.
And he pushed for an expanded rapid transit bus system, but council members want more details about how it would affect traffic.
"I think before we go forward with this, that we know exactly what it is, how its going to affect the city, and hopefully move our city forward," said Metro Councilman Tony Tenpenny.
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Heelch O'Hops - Anderson Valley Brewing Company
Displayed for educational use only; do not reuse.
Ratings: 524 | Reviews: 101 | Display Reviews Only:
Reviews by the Alström Bros:
None found.
More User Reviews:
North Carolina
4.15/5 rDev +10.4%
I was surpised to see such a new AV offering here in Greensboro.Poured into a nonic a clear copper/brass color with a nice fluffy one finger white head that never really completely settles,great clarity and a freat fluffy head.Citric and pine notes in the nose with a hint of hard water wich was a little odd,a dryer malt base compared to many big caramely sweet malt bases of the style.Flavors don't smack you in the face they just give an even keel of citric and piney hops that last from sip to swallow,the alcohol is kept in check really well, and the malt base is not overly sweet.This is a nice change of pace for the style,sure it's got big hops but it doesn't bombard you with sugary sweetness and alcohol like way to many of the style,well done.
11-08-2012 21:23:19 | More by oberon
3.25/5 rDev -13.6%
01-15-2013 00:03:36 | More by mveatch
2.43/5 rDev -35.4%
12 oz bottle. Pours clear copper gold with a huge meringue off white head that retains well and laces the glass.
The aroma is sweet sugary crystal malts and tropical fruits with some resiny hops.
The flavor is sweet crystal like malts with tropical fruits and a decent bitterness. The mouthfeel is light bodied and very watery.
Overall, I like the fruits and hops but the flavors don't combine well and it was overly sweet. It's really washed out and watery too.
04-15-2013 05:25:26 | More by Beaver13
3.75/5 rDev -0.3%
09-07-2013 15:55:26 | More by TTripp725
3.5/5 rDev -6.9%
01-02-2014 04:11:42 | More by Shagator
4/5 rDev +6.4%
08-15-2014 22:30:06 | More by petewheeler
New Jersey
3.5/5 rDev -6.9%
03-13-2014 05:03:39 | More by megamass
New York
3.95/5 rDev +5.1%
12 ounce bottle.
Pours near clear, typical amber. Lite khaki head, delicate and on the fine side. Leaves ample lower and ringed sheeting.
I'm getting tropical fruit, resiny hops and and a splash of malt on the nose.
Orange notes, more resinous/ pine soaked hops and malt again providing some balance. Balanced DIPA-what a concept...Nicely crafted. Enjoyable sipper.
02-08-2014 02:36:45 | More by Billolick
3.75/5 rDev -0.3%
03-16-2014 03:47:36 | More by SuperbikeShaun
4.25/5 rDev +13%
08-03-2013 22:16:54 | More by aquazr1
New York
3.75/5 rDev -0.3%
01-24-2013 00:00:52 | More by Milkysunshine
3.5/5 rDev -6.9%
12-27-2013 04:20:59 | More by JeffNev
3.75/5 rDev -0.3%
02-14-2014 22:18:43 | More by KOP_Beer_OUtlet
North Carolina
3.5/5 rDev -6.9%
02-07-2014 23:52:23 | More by Mantooth
4.26/5 rDev +13.3%
A: Medium+ hazy dark amber/light copper color. Pours with about a half finger of off-white head, with medium size bubbles that dissolve down to that thin film/edge bubbles. Seems like decent lacing, but I'm drinking this out of plastic, so take this with a heavy grain of salt.
S: Heavy grapefruit zest and malty sweets. Very fruity, zesty, citrusy.
T: Lots going on here. The taste is dominated by the citrus/grapefruit zest start (though it tastes a bit less than it smells) followed by a very biscuity malt backbone, and finished by medium to medium+ hops. I can't really put my finger on the hops; they aren't piney, earthy, or spicy. Maybe they're citrusy and just blending into the grapefruit start? No boozy taste, even with 8.7% abv.
M: Sticky and full like an IPA, but a little bit lighter and quicker than other DIPAs.
O: Nice brew. I could see this beer being a good summer choice for IPA drinkers (it's not that fruity, but most IPAs taste a bit shaded, woodsy, damp, piney, shadowy to me; this one is grapefruit sweet with a bit of hops.)
04-27-2013 03:09:14 | More by rringler
3.21/5 rDev -14.6%
Dark amber and copper color produced a good 1/2" head on it, average retention, almost no lace. Aroma was very bitter, but one dimensional hop aroma conveying bitterness more than anything else, some caramel along the way.
Taste and mouthfeel came through with a substantial amount of syrupy, thick, caramel bittersweetness. I wouldn't drink too many ipa's you've never had after this beer, your palate will be fatigued or compromised regarding bitterness. The malt beer is rather heavy, so the bitterness standing out so much is a tad bit of a surprise. Seems like they're still using the old school hops. Very resiny, I'm guessing Cascade, Centennial & Chinook.
This one was kind of middle of the roadish for a double ipa. Anderson Valley was a great brewery back in the 90s, but everything they have been releasing lately tells me they are like an aging prize fighter, never to recapture their past glory.
This one just lacks flavor, its mostly bitterness and some malt heft, which somehow doesn't really absorb the alcohol or bitterness all that well.
Single IPA way better. At this strength, some flavors would be cool beyond bitterness. Pretty much your average, or slightly better than average dipa.
06-17-2013 23:47:21 | More by Beerandraiderfan
West Virginia
3.75/5 rDev -0.3%
03-18-2014 01:52:14 | More by WVbeergeek
3.75/5 rDev -0.3%
12-18-2012 01:34:07 | More by stereosforgeeks
2/5 rDev -46.8%
10-11-2013 12:55:39 | More by Adkins1203
New York
4.25/5 rDev +13%
05-19-2014 02:04:27 | More by BrianCuoz
3.5/5 rDev -6.9%
06-20-2013 18:37:32 | More by ste5venla
4.25/5 rDev +13%
01-12-2014 00:47:59 | More by DCHritz
4/5 rDev +6.4%
08-11-2013 09:12:30 | More by InfernoBoss
4.25/5 rDev +13%
11-23-2013 01:17:28 | More by InVinoVeritas
4.25/5 rDev +13%
06-20-2013 01:53:16 | More by lcdawg
Heelch O'Hops from Anderson Valley Brewing Company
85 out of 100 based on 524 ratings.