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" Railway lines stretch from Aberdeen to Penzance, and from Stansted to Cardiff. One of the UK's most extensive railway network. "
I was trying to think of a train related song before I started writing this, sat on the train as i am at this moment. Perhaps you can. Light bulb moment 'the runaway train came down the track and she blew, she blew', actually that's probably not really something you want to sing or think about as you are hurtling along at God knows how many miles per hour. I don't anyway, just give me the quiet zone, let me be and drive!
I travel quite often from Manchester to Bristol and after weighing all the options up it's always the train that does it if I'm on a my own. It does help that I have a disabled rail card which gives me 1/3rd of journeys and that National Express takes an unbelievable 5hrs 50mins to get down here. It doesn't do that many stops either, so the train it always is.
The only train from Manchester to Bristol direct is the Cross Country service, it runs twice hourly and there is a change every other journey in Birmingham, it does carry on down the deep South West towards Penzance. It usually takes around 3hr 11mins to do the journey,although we're currently 10 minutes behind due to a slow moving train in front of us, looking out the window though I think that's a lie and we're a bit further behind than that!
Booking is quite easy with Cross Country, but then booking every train journey is easy these days, all the train companies book every body elses trains! I say easy, the actual finding a way to book is easy, however there is still the pain of finding a journey that is relatively cheaper finding a cheap one and it not taking 7 hours and with a 4 hour wait in The Outer Hebrides! You know the tricks, breaking up your journey on the way, Mancs to Brum, Brum to Bristol and back again. I've not seen that work so far so I tend to go straight for the in, out trip. It's quite strange the website, especially when checking the times and prices. What I did like though was the way it was grouped. So you could look for journeys that cost between certain prices which then gave you an indications of what times you could travel. The prices are decent but no more than you pay on any other websites. The website does give you other interesting info about the places that the train takes you to which can be useful. You book the ticket then you can either print it straight off or have it sent to your e-mail, you then pick up the actual tickets at the station.
I've never had a problem getting the train itself, the current delay is the only one I've ever known and they always leave promptly, even if it is a little behind it usually makes up the time. The actual trains themselves are of course the most important thing. There's usually about 6 or 7 carriages, one of which is the First Class and another the Quiet carriage. I must admit that I usually end up in the Quiet carriage in order to try and avoid as many children as possible!
The carriages themselves are usually neat and tidy and the journey from Manchester to Bristol usually consists of 2 clean ups by the staff. I cant say the same for the toilets though, that although they are usually well stocked with toilet paper a full clean seems to be out of the question and is often the case as soon as you get on the train. I would recommend taking some hand gel with you!
There's plenty of space to stow your stuff unless you are intending to get on with several suitcases at which case other grumbles from fellow passengers at taking up all the space! There's also space above the seats and underneath the seats. Which really annoys me when people insist on putting their suitcases next to their seat and blocking the aisle!
The seats are OK, enough for me at 5' 6" but I'd hate to be over 6 foot, I always used to sit at the tables but soon realised if you had a leg stretcher in front of you there's no leg space at all. Now the priority is to get a window seat so I can plug in my tablet. The seats are quite narrow as well, so I can get squashed in. The carriages aren't overly new so it is that scratchy material covering the seats which can irritate bare skin. Of course First Class is entirely different. Nice big seats and tables with a lovely steward offering drinks and snacks.
There isn't actually a Buffet car just the old fashioned chap and chappesses pulling along a trolley with a limited amount of things on it. No fridge either so there's no chance of a cold drink, and make sure you get a sandwich before you get on the train as you wont get one there either!
I would say my main gripe is the sanctity of the so called Quiet Zone. This basically means no mobile phones, mp3 players, games consoles, etc, and it's amazing how many people jut ignore this as well. Nor should I have to ask a guard to ask someone to keep it quiet. When I can hear someone I-Pod 4 seats away I'm damn sure that the guard to hear them when they walk past. It's enforced quite strongly on the likes of Virgin so I'm can only assume these guards consider it too much bother or are just too nervous to do so. Perhaps people reading this will now take notice when they do it!
It's not too bad a journey except in rush hour and we stop at Birmingham which means a lot more commuters getting on. Hence the reason I go for the no change train so I can just plonk myself in a seat and stay there all the way to Manchester! It's still preferable to National Express which can be a horrendous journey on the old coaches, I just think its time for Cross Country to start updating their carriages!
Would never use cross country trains again!
What an absolute farce travelling back from Newcastle!
I had noticed the train times on the board were 5 mins out from the time on my ticket so asked a member of train staff about it. My regret here is not only using this joke of a company but I stupidly never got his name! He told me this was in fact my train and they do not always run to time-fair enough I thought. He then pointed me in the direction of platform 2 to wait.
Train came, I got on, only to be told after the first stop I was on the wrong train and would have to pay the fee of £95!!! The ticket attendant was rather patronising by saying you should've known by the ticket time which only enraged me further since I HAD noticed the difference but was assured otherwise!
So thanks to the wrong advice of poorly informed train staff, a train journey which had originally cost £78 further cost me an additional £95!!!
I've sent a complaint in however due to my encounter with 2 members of cross country staff I can only assume the ineptitude of customer service skills will probably see that my complaint will never see the time
Okay so pretty bad ratings for cross country trains and i have to say i am not completely sure why!? I have used this train company so many times i have lost count and not just for short journeys but for journeys from newcastle to basingstoke and that is around 6 hours on the train and have been doing this for about 3 year. I have to say i think as far as trains go cross country leads the way, and below i will tell you how to get the best out of this train company (also known as HOW TO SAVE MONEY!).
I have had delays with this train but you get that with all trains. They DO over crowd there trains which are both big faults but every train company has this problem so you kind of have to focus of the positives. When me and my fiance were delayed at christmas for over an hour i complained and they gave me a full refund (as per their own policy but it was very quickly resolved) so no real issue there, i got a free journey! The staff are mostly very good and we mix up travelling first class (read below on how i do this) and standard class, and either way the staff are 90% good. So i will review both standard and first class (and remember to read below on how to save money when buying tickets).
Standard class -
Okay so i mostly travel with standard class and the seat room is like any other train company, not amazing but not too bad. The luggage racks are quite small considering the amount of people in the carriage and it can be very annoying but the key is if you cant get your bag on the rack wait till everyone is stood up to get off there stop and hope that someone moves a bag! There is little staff involved in standard class but the trolley service is a good little feature and the staff are very polite and always up for a laugh. The air conditioning is not amazing but again its no better or worse than any other train company.
First class -
So in first class you get the obvious .. A member of staff asking every 10 minutes if you are all right and you also get complimentary hot and cold drinks and also food. The hot food really is not that good but not much complimentary food is. The biscuits and crisps are good quality and the hot drinks are starbucks, so its not all bad. The leg room is very good and the luggage space is the same as standard but the majority of people in first class do not have big luggage bags. Okay so ... lets see how to save money.
Saving money with cross country trains.
Okay so cross country trains may not be perfect and i think i would agree more with the other reviews if i was paying the same amount of money as them, however using such a simple trick i pay a huge amount less.
If you know where you are travelling well in advance, then simply book as soon as possible, you can book 3 months in advance. Also always look at 2 single tickets before looking at a return ticket, it is often cheaper and in my experience i have found it is always cheaper. For an example, i used to travel from newcastle to basingstoke with a return ticket and i bought it a few days before i travelled and it cost me £116.00.
When i now buy me and my fiance a ticket here is what i do ...
I buy between 1 and 3 month before i travel (because i know the exact dates i am travelling), i book 2 singles to basingstoke from newcastle and 2 singles from basingstoke to newcastle with my dates. Some times first class tickets are available IF you book literally 3 month ahead and you can buy a first class ticket for £32.00 (basingstoke to newcastle), so its worth trying the way i do it.
If you travel more than 3 times a year and spend more than £200 on travel then it is also work looking at getting some form of rail card, there is different ones available but most save you 1/3 on train fare.
So to sum up on how to save money with cross country...
If you know your dates of travel then book one to three months in advance.
Look at 2 singles as well as a return to see what is cheaper.
If your timing is flexible look at different times in the day as off peak is always cheaper.
Follow these tips and your savings could be huge. Where i used to pay £116.00 for just myself from newcastle to basingstoke, following the above steps i now book tickets for me and my fiance and with at least first class one way (sometimes both ways) the total is £135.00, so obviously i now pay £67.50 instead of £116.00.
So yes this train company like all of them do charge far too much for travel, so follow my above steps and save yourself some money and i am sure you will agree that for the price you are then paying you get a good service and you do not pay extortionate prices!
On Monday 27th June 2011 I,along with my son purchased tickets to travel from Birmingham Intl to Birmingham New St. We used adjacent machines in the booking hall,proceeded to platform two in order to board the next train.Boarding was nigh on impossible,each doorway being packed tight with standing passengers,however we squeezed on.Shouldnt have complained to the train guard.His sole response was to check our tickets.For whatever reason my sons ticket specified Virgin Trains only,whereas mine was unspecific.The train guard demanded that we buy a new ticket.We stated that we have just bought a ticket,it was one stop and that a genuine mistake had been made.The response was to pay up,or have the police meet the train and be arrested for fraud with a possible fine of £2000 and a prison sentence.
The conditions on this Cross Country train can only be described as a living hell.No air conditionig,toilets stinking out the immediate camping area,bought about by no seats.This Company,along with the Thug of an employee needs to be avoided at all costs.
Cross Country Trains are part of the Arriva Group of companies but runs completely separate from the Arriva brand. They cover the majority of England and Southern Scotland with trains linking most major towns & cities outside London. The franchise is most of the old Virgin Cross Country network plus some of the old Central Trains franchise. It began operating under the name Cross County Trains on 11th November 2011.
The routes run to most major towns & cities across England and also up into the Southern parts of Scotland (Edinburgh/Glasgow). I think the network is very large it offers great choice and trains run all day, everyday across the entire network from as far south as Bournemouth/Exeter to as far as Edinburgh & Scotland running over the length of the country. This means that availability is very good, I don't remember ever having problems getting trains with Cross Country at the times I wanted them.
The trains are very easy to spot, they are black at the very front & end (where the drivers cabs are at each end) and then Silver on the outside for the rest of the carriages with pink/red coloured doors and a cross painted from top to bottom on the drivers cab. Inside the trains resemble the same as Virgin Trains West Coast fleet, this is because Virgin used the same trains on the Cross County franchise as they do on the West Coast route and the trains were handed over to Arriva when they won the franchise off Virgin. So you can expect them to be very modern & stylish. I think they are definitely the best designed interior on the National Rail network, the seats are a mix of red & blue, they face both directions so you can sit back to travel or facing travel. Most seats are comfortable and look clean & tidy but the coloring of the seats have faded in some places where they have been heavily used, this could do with being sorted as it makes it look a bit cheap. The seat reservations are done using an electronic scoller above the seats; I think this makes it look more clean & tidy unlike some other operators who stick bits of card in the seats to show the seat reservation.
There is no longer an onboard shop on Cross Country Trains, this was removed to create more seating & luggage storage space, it received a lot of criticism from passengers but they still offer an at-seat buffet drinks trolley during the main core of the day on most of the network. As with other operators the prices are hiked up, Cross Country isn't too bad but I always try get stuff to take with me from Tesco or ASDA or get something from the station with my BITE discount card before I board, it saves money but if it's a long journey sometimes I do indulge in a nice cup of tea (they also do Starbucks on Cross Country Trains now which is brilliant). If you do want to purchase food or drink onboard they do have a nice selection of snacks, sandwiches and hot & cold drinks, including alcohol.
Toilets can be found throughout the train, depending on the train type and they are usually very clean & in full working order. They have a HUGE disabled toilet with electronic door on trains aswell, this provides a lot of room for people who need space and passengers in wheelchairs so they are well catered for too.
Staff are generally very friendly and helpful, never had any problems with Cross County staff, trains or services and will definitely continue to use them subject to fares not being ridiculously expensive, try get Cross Country Advance fares to save money and use a railcard if you're entitled to one.
Although I generally have had no problems with ontime trains with CrossCountry there has been a very occasions where there was delays and trains have been over crowded (both during delays and when things are running smoothely) so this is why I haven't rated them a 5.
I've decided to ignore the cost argument of rail travel in my review, because all up front train tickets on long distance routes are expensive, regardless of the operator, and all operators have a decent choice of cheap advance tickets, including first class, so to single out Cross Country for being expensive in this way would be unfair.
Cross country use three types of trains, the Voyagers (which form the majority of their services), a small number of the old Intercity 125's and the turbostars. Despite the fact that you might think 'a train is a train', the passenger environments in these three types couldn't be more different, and thus it can be like travelling on three separate train companies, rather than just the one!
The voyagers themselves are by far the worst of the three types of train. These trains aren't suitable for some of the routes they are on, with only 4 or 5 coaches, despite going the length of the country. The standard class seating is very uncomfortable for long distance travel, with hard upright seat backs and little legroom. Whereas this layout may be preferable for short distance commuter trips, where the aim should be to maximise passenger numbers, on a long distance train it is fairly intolerable. A short history lesson reveals that the voyagers were ordered by the franchise predecessor Virgin, who wanted to double the frequency of the cross country network, with the plan to shorten train lengths, but increase the number of services. A nice idea on paper, but for whatever reason, this seems to mean that half the services aren't very busy at all, where as the other half can be horrifically rammed (usually the ones going on the longer distance trips such as Bournemouth to Manchester, or Dundee to Penzance). I cannot say I can recommend a long distance journey on these voyagers at all, though for short hops within the core network served - i.e. Reading to Oxford, the service frequency increase is ideal.
The second type of train used is the Intercity 125, the old BR high speed trains, still used by Great Western and East Coast. The passenger environment on these couldn't be anymore different to the voyagers, with plenty of tables, comfortable standard class seating you can fall asleep in, and plenty of leg room. Because they are 7 coaches long, there are usually plenty of seats, even when they are busy. This is much more like long distance train travel should be, and well done to Cross Country for bringing these trains back. The only problem is they don't operate that many services, so it is the luck of the draw if you get one of these.
Finally we have the smaller turbostar trains, which are used on the secondary routes such as Nottingham Cardiff and Leicester to Stansted Airport. These trains can get very busy in the peak - being only 3 coaches long, however off peak they provide a not too dissimilar environment to the Intercity 125's with very comfortable standard class seating, and a variety of airline and table seats. Obviously slightly more of a local train, but still pleasant to travel by.
All catering now is provided by trolley services. The trolley services on the voyager and 125 trains are in house, but the ones on the turbostars are provided by agency staff. This means that the cost of a cup of tea (and other items) is different depending on what service you use! In general the service provided in house is better, with smarter, more professional and keen staff, which is not surprising as I would imagine they are paid a better wage, and get better benefits. The other staff you will encounter is the Guard , often called the Train Manager or Conductor, most are only too happy to help, but you can get a couple who are very keen on enforcing the ticket regulations by the book, so make sure you are on the correct train and have all your documents up to date and correct!
Finally the main upside and indeed downside of train travel involves who else you are sharing a carriage. You can meet interesting people or have a decent quiet relaxing journey, but equally you could have to put up with annoying personal stereo noise leaking out and constant chatter on mobile phones. But this is true of all companies.
Last weekend, I decided at the last minute to take a trip down to Plymouth to see a friend who is studying down there. I've only done this trip once before but found that the 5 hours journey there and 8 hour journey back weren't too bad.
**Good Experiences**
As I have just said, the first time I travelled down to Plymouth was quite comfortable. The train journey there took 5 hours and I managed to grab myself my own table for the whole trip, after my change in Birmingham.
The journey back was a little more stressful as it took 8 hours and I had 4 changes. However, these changes were all timed perfectly so that I didn't have to wait in any city for too long and got home as quickly as I could.
This journey cost me around £80, which I am told is very cheap for a Nottingham-Plymouth trip, so based on this experience I would give Cross Country trains 5 stars.
**And Back Experiences**
However, my recent trip to Plymouth was nowhere near as easy or comfortable.
After boarding in Nottingham at 10.35, I had to change trains in Birmingham. My train arrived in Birmingham at 12.00 and my train to Plymouth was due to leave another platform at 12.10. This meant that I had to get off the train, grab my suitcase and run to the next platform!
But when I got into the main area of Birmingham station, the board for Plymouth stated that the next train had been cancelled. I assumed straight away that this was because of the snow somewhere along the way, so understood that the service could not help this situation. I called my friend to let him know and he informed me that every time one of his trains had been cancelled another had been provided and he did not have to wait for the next one.
So I popped over to the information desk and asked whether a replacement was being sent and was simply told 'no you will have to wait for the 13.10 train'. And then she turned tot he next person to take their enquiry. I found this quite rude as this was only the second time I had ever travelled alone, I was very nervous and obviously am quite young so someone could have given me a little more information.
As I was stuck in Birmingham for an hour, I popped over to the Bull Ring to do some shopping and returned to the platform which the 13.10 train was leaving from at 12.50 to give myself a little time to grab a seat.
When I arrived at the platform, it was mayhem! There were so many people squashed up there that I knew instantly I would not be sitting down on my 4 1/2 hour journey south! The train finally arrived around 13.05, which gave everyone 5 minutes to board the train before it was due to leave.
Needless to say, the train left late (around 13.20) which added another 10 minutes onto my long journey.
Also, the train was so busy that people were squashed up against each other outside the toilets on the train. There was even a little girl aged 3-4 sat on the floor out there as the seat her mother had reserved had now been cancelled as the train was twice as full!!
The whole of the journey down to Plymouth was like this, it was extremely uncomfortable and I spent most of the journey worrying that someone might steal my suitcase as they left the train, as I had had to leave it right by the doors!
I was happy to arrive in Plymouth and have a care free weekend. When leaving, I decided to catch the 15.25 train back, which would get me home for 20.45......this was not the case!
Again the train home was late and arrived at the station at 15.50. Once everyone was boarded, the driver announced that he was having problems starting the engine but hopefully we would be leaving soon. Luckily, everyone was listening for his announcement and we heard the speakers on the platform say that our train was now cancelled and another would be leaving in five minutes from a different platform. So everyone on the train ran to jump on the other one which was leaving shortly.
I was quite happy to find that I had a seat which had not been reserved so would not have to move all the way home, however, the problems with the train meant that this train was now double booked again and we had the same situation as on the way in. Although I was sitting, there were many people standing up, squashed together.
When I purchsed my tickets this time, I purchased a young person's rail card first. This saved me around £5 off the original fare but I figured I'd be going back to Plymouth again before the card ran out. I do not plan to go back any time soon as I do not want to have to travel like this again!!!
It is difficult to be angry with Cross Country as they cannot help the weather so it is not their fault that trains were cancelled and running late.
However, I do not feel that they did everything that they could to provide their customers with a decent enough service for such a long journey. We were informed on the way there and back that coaches had been taken off the train, so there were twice as many passangers and not enough coaches! If a replacement had been supplied, even if it had turned up later then the 13.10 train, life would have been so much easier and their customers would have been a lot happier.
When I am paying £100 to travel somewhere, I expect to atleast be able to sit down, even if I am sitting next to someone that I do not know. I don't expect to have to sit on the floor, outside a dirty toilet which absolutely stinks!
For the above reasons, I'm going to give Cross Country 3 stars. Their service this time around was not good enough (and my friend has said that he has had to travel like this with them before too) but I have had good experiences with them too.
Oh.....the train that I caught back got me home for 23.00!
This service is actually a bit better than the other train services. For the money you pay, you actually do go a bit further (especially if you book in advance). However, like all the privatized rail network, this is still a poor service for what it should offer.
A few years ago, the franchise holders decided to replace a lot of the older stock. Great. Or so you might think. The mainline HST trains went from 8 coach, relatively relaxing and spacious trains with a buffet to a 4-5 coach, cramped service. Train usage was going up, and they cut the number of seat. Now it's telling. You can very rarely find a seat and when you do there is no leg room for anyone over 6 foot. It's genuinely uncomfortable. There is no luggage room either, and you will really struggle if you have a suitcase. On more crowded journeys, they do double the trains up. But you still have the problem over luggage and overcrowding.
There is a small trolley service that replaced the buffets, and if you're on a long journey you can no longer get hot food. It's just a selection of snacks.
The toilets are always dirty, and the trains themselves are often dirty.
All that said though, to the advanced booker they can be one of the better companies. You do get a little more for your money, and Cross Country does serve a large area, meaning if you're on the right train you won't have to change.
The staff are helpful, and do try to make the best of things.
For some background, I was undertaking my train journey because I had to go to a conference. The journey was Glasgow to Leeds. I travelled alone, and had a laptop and a small case on wheels for luggage.
I opted for Cross Country trains on my return journey because I wanted to travel from Leeds to Glasgow with no changes. I ordered my tickets online and paid £34.50 for my single ticket.
The train arrived at the station on time, which was all well and good. The problems started as soon as I got on board.
Firstly, the luggage rack was hilariously small - especially for a train whose entire route was Penzance to Glasgow Central. I had no option but to lug my case up the central aisle while looking for my reserved seat.
Sod's Law being what it is, of course, my reserved seat had apparently been taken by another passenger. As is always the case when this happens, the passsenger who has nicked your seat is always distinctly scummy. Not fancying a stabbing, I simply found an unreserved seat and sat there, jamming my case under my feet and reconciling myself to absolutely no leg room for four hours. Generally speaking, the layout of the train was very cramped - real sardine packing.
About ten minutes into the journey, I realised the train seemed very warm. So did some of the other passengers. On managing to nab one of the conductors as they passed through, it turned out that the air conditioning was broken and was, in fact, blowing hot air at us.
The heating situation simply got worse and worse throughout the journey. The windows could not be opened, and the temperature in the carriage must easily have been over 30 degrees. Everyone was looking flushed and tired - and, bluntly, my shirt was actually sticking to my back.
After two hours of this endurance test - a conductress appeared and informed us that carriage B (the unreserved one - where my scummy seat thief should have been) had air con and some spare seats. Some people switched straight away (without waiting for those with toddlers or elderly passengers to go first - nice manners, there) I didn't want to risk losing the seat I had, and couldn't have lugged my case up the aisle anyway, so I had to stay put.
After another half hour, the conductress appeared with some free water.
The aircon issue, though, continued all the way to Glasgow.
On top of this, we were told just before Newcastle that the electronic booking system had managed to erase itself - so there were now no records of any reservations. Seating was now a complete free-for-all! My seat thief could rejoice!
Overall - incredibly uncomfortable journey. Staff did try to alleviate the problems (pretty late on, though) - but the problems shouldn't have happened in the first place. Also, could someone please explain to me why the train didn't have open-able windows!? What sort of logic is that!!?
We are not train travellers by nature - almost all of our journeys are by car. Not through conscious choice I might add - simply poor public transport where we live. On this one occasion, we decided to try something different, and risked booking a return train journey from Birmingham to Edinburgh.
Looking around online, the difference between Virgin and Cross country was financially quick striking. First class advance purchase from Cross country was still less than half the cost of Virgin economy! Treating ourselves, we paid £84 each for return first class travel.
What a disappointment. We arrived in Birmingham in good time, only to discover the train was running late. We went to the Cross country desk to find out why and we simply dismissed. The train was late, they wouldn't offer any advice or reason - it was pretty much our problem.
After an hour of waiting, the train arrived - only four minutes in front of the next scheduled train. As a result, it was packed. Luckily, our seats were reserved and first class had plenty of space.
Unfortunately, the journey didn't improve. The complementary hot food that comes with First class was not available - there was no electricity on board. There was no buffet car - only a trolley service that appeared as little as possible. Sandwiches were offered instead - as long as you liked egg & cress! Tea and coffee ran out somewhere about Sheffield and the soft drinks were only available in the tiny 150ml cans, and even then were limited to coke, diet coke or tonic water! The staff on board couldn't be less interested in their jobs if they tried, and spent very little time talking to the passengers. They spent most of the journey avaoiding the passengers, and when finally found, dismissed every comment with a "its not our fault - you need to complain to the train operator" Unfortunately, they couldn't even offer us a complaint form (they aren't carried on board as standard)
We eventually arrived in Edinburgh over an hour late and never have I been so glad to get off. No comment was made by cross country about the timings.
The return journey was pretty much the same, although at least this time the train ran on time. Overcrowded, no food and surly staff, the train even ran out of toilet paper an hour into the five hour journey!
I have to admit that those five hours were probably the worst journey I have had. It was far more expensive than driving, and in hind sight, far more problematic. It certainly hasn't convinced me to travel by train again!
if you are a travelling between Leeds and Birmingham the cheapest way to travel between the two cities on Crosscountry before 0930 Monday to Friday if you are returning the same day is NOT to buy an anytime return ticket at a cost of £76 BUT to purchase 3 seperate anytime day return tickets Leeds to Sheffield £10.20 Sheffield to Derby £15.30 and Derby to Birmingham £13.60 which will cost you £49.10 in total saving you £26.90 which is a lot of money.You could save even more money if you was travelling of peak after 0930 but on the return journey from Birmingham off peak tickets to Derby are not valid between 1515 and 1815 ,the grand total of the 3 seperate off peak tickets come to £27 which gives you a massive saving of £49. PLEASE BUY YOUR SEPERATE TICKETS AT THE TRAVEL CENTRES AS YOU CANNOT PURCHASE TICKETS LIKE THIS ON BOARD THE TRAIN
, If you boarded the train with no ticket and purchased one from the conductor and then stayed on the service then you would be over distanced and charged the operate fare for the journey you are making to the next station and thus not saving any money
The technical details of the Crosscountry franchise are available elsewhere on the internet and so I'll not reproduce them here.
For background, I use Crosscountry trains almost every day either commuting in Devon or for leisure between Bristol and Cornwall at weekends.
I realise that it's fashionable to complain about train companies but there are train companies that have a lot of positives. This just isn't one of them.
In the mornings, Crosscountry services out of Newton Abbot seem to have three carriages maximum. That's at peak commuting time. What are they thinking? People are standing or sitting everywhere. I pay well into four figures per annum for my season ticket - is it too much to expect a seat?
And another thing, is there any chance that they might spend a few minutes fixing the toilets? Without fail, each morning, the corridors around the toilet areas have wet carpet and smell strongly of urine. Which cuts down the places you can sit when you can't find a seat!
On the reliability front, they are generally within a few minutes of being on time - that counts as on time these days! But when they are late, they do it in style - losing over half an hour on a twenty minute journey takes some doing.
I have no idea what Virgin Trains did wrong but they were head and shoulders above this shower!
CrossCountry is the British train operating company that runs most north-south and some east-west long distance trains that do not serve London. The company is owned by the transport multinational Arriva. Arriva decided to brand CrossCountry separately to distinguish the franchise from Arriva's predominantly rural and provincial services in Wales.
CrossCountry's services are summarised into numbered routes:
1. Plymouth to Edinburgh Waverley (via Leeds)
2. Reading to Newcastle (via Doncaster)
3. Bristol Temple Meads to Manchester Piccadilly
4. Bournemouth to Manchester Piccadilly (via Coventry)
5. Cardiff Central to Nottingham
6. Birmingham New Street to Leicester and Stansted Airport
Routes 1 to 4 were previously opeated by the cross-country division of Virgin Trains, while routes 5 and 6 were integrated from the Central Trains franchise, which has now been replaced by CrossCountry and East Midlands Trains.
Each route has at least train an hour, apart from Birmingham to Leicester and Birmingham to Nottingham which always have two per hour. The combination of routes means that many sections of the network see up to three or four trains per hour.
The shape and format of the network is largely left over from the previous franchisee Virgin Trains, who operated the cross-country franchise from privitisation until November 2007. Virgin initiated a major fleet replacement programme that replaced high speed trains and locomotive hauled trains with a larger fleet of four and five carriage diesel-electric multiple units called 'Voyagers'. Some 'Voyagers' are designated 'SuperVoyagers' and are capable of tilting to maintain speed and comfort through bends. While the fleet renewal programme brought many more trains into service, they are all of fixed lengths and have, in some cases, resulted in a reduction of capacity. It's not unusual to find some rush-hour trains between key cities packed to standing room only, a situation not helped by the fact that apart from linking two trains together, they cannot be extended to respond to demand. The former Central Trains routes aren't much better, since these trains (called 'Turbostars') are just two or three carriages long. All Voyagers and Turbostars are self-propelled multiple units, so passengers will feel and hear the vibration of the trains' engines beneath their seats - ride comfort and acoustic comfort are significantly worse than on the old locomotive hauled trains.
In autumn 2008 a number of refurbished high speed trains re-joined the fleet to provide extra capacity. By 2009, five of the Intercity 125 High Speed Trains that used to operate these routes (and which Virgin chose to replace with shorter modern train) will be back in service, providing eight carriages and approximately 550 seats on certain longer distance services.
In all cases, advance purchase tickets offer the best value, and are normally best purchased online as single tickets. A seat reservation also guarantees you a seat on these often crowded trains. The modern diesel and diesel-electric trains offer poor comfort compared to the older trains they replaced, with hard seats and very limited luggage provision. Passengers traveling with more than two bags will find it difficult to find space for their bags, and even harder to find space that they can observe them during the journey.
Routes 1-4 feature on-board shops and routes 5-6 feature a trolley catering service. Both offer hot and cold drinks and snacks. A plan by CrossCountry to replace the on-board shops of the Voyager trains with more seats, luggage space and a roving trolley service appear to have been put on ice due to problems re-configuring the leased rolling stock.
First class service is provided on most trains, although most former Central Trains trains are not equipped with a first class cabin. First class passengers receive a complimentary beverage and snacks at certain times, although apart from a core set of routes this isn't served at your seat - you need to walk the length of the train to the shop to get your refreshments. Weekend upgrades to first class are available and widely promoted, but only provide you with a maginally larger seat.
Virgin Trains had a tough time operating this franchise, and no doubt CrossCountry will have problems too: the network is a complex mesh of routes across many different lines, serving many important and busy stations. Passenger numbers have increased dramatically, and the decision to use such small trains on so many routes has made overcrowding even worse. For the occasional traveler, cheap advance purchase tickets are great value, but for the commuter or regular traveler, these routes are a depressing part of modern life on Britain's privatised railways.


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Brewers claw back but fall short against Cards
Peralta's six runs allowed in third prove too costly for Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE -- Big Brewers right-hander Wily Peralta said he would go gold until his luck ran out, which happened sometime in the top of the third inning Thursday.
Wearing the Brewers' new gold alternate jerseys for the third straight start, Peralta was blooped, bled and broken-batted around in that dismal inning, when the Cardinals scored six times on seven singles. It was just enough to beat Milwaukee, 6-5, in the opener of a four-game series at Miller Park.
"At some point, I'll wear it again," Peralta said. "Probably not next time."
A deficit of a half-dozen runs spelled trouble against Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook, who entered the day as Major League Baseball's ERA leader after allowing three earned runs -- total -- in his first four starts.
Westbrook limited the damage Thursday to one run in six innings and saw his ERA inflate to 1.07, but he was rewarded with the 100th victory of his Major League career when four Cardinals relievers barely held the Brewers at bay. Edward Mujica saw the Brewers bring the winning run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning but ultimately earned his seventh save in as many chances.
All of the Cardinals' runs scored with two outs after Peralta plunked Matt Holliday with a pitch to load the bases. Peralta was out after 4 1/3 innings, charged with six earned runs on 11 singles, matching and setting career-highs in those categories.
"Crazy inning," Peralta said of the decisive third. "Frustrating."
Only two of the Cardinals' singles in their big inning were well-struck -- Yadier Molina's RBI hit that made it 3-0 and Pete Kozma's that capped the scoring. Jon Jay's hit to shallow left field was somewhere in-between. The rest were either on broken bats (Matt Carpenter and Allen Craig), bloops (Westbrook) or bleeders (David Freese's grounder up the middle). Craig's hit accounted for the Cardinals' first two runs and Kozma's the last two, while Molina and Freese drove in a run apiece in the inning.
When the shards of broken bat had been cleared away, Peralta found himself in a 6-0 hole. But Cardinals manager Mike Matheny was impressed.
"We had bats blowing up; at one point it looked like we were trying to have a bonfire," Matheny said. "But we got enough going and put them in the right places. We've had plenty of hard outs, so we're due some of those."
The only Brewer more frustrated than Peralta was catcher Martin Maldonado. Three times in the inning, Cardinals runners beat a strong throw home from the outfield; Carpenter ahead of left fielder Ryan Braun's throw for run No. 2, Holliday ahead of right fielder Norichika Aoki's throw for run No. 3, and Freese ahead of another Braun throw for run No. 6.
All three times, Maldonado looked to plate umpire Todd Tichenor, who signaled safe. In each instance, slow-motion replays confirmed the call.
"They were safe," Maldonado said.
When Carlos Beltran singled for the Cardinals in the fourth inning, all nine St. Louis starters had reached base safely, and eight of them had hits. Third baseman Freese had two hits after as many at-bats, after coming into the game in an 0-for-16 slump.
Peralta was removed from the game after a one-out single followed by a walk in the fifth.
"That's just part of the experience," Peralta said. "Those days, you have to calm down yourself, try to make one pitch at a time. Don't try to go too crazy out there."
"When you have an inning like that, you get frustrated, but I cannot show it off too much because I was trying to be there for him," Maldonado said. "I think after [the Molina single] he was trying to do too much. That's why I went out there and told him, 'Calm down. You can't do nothing about that stuff.'"
The Brewers did nothing against Westbrook until the fourth inning, when they strung together three singles of their own. Maldonado's cut the deficit to 6-1 with one out, but Westbrook stranded the remaining two runners.
After Peralta's exit, the Brewers got 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and made things very interesting against the Cardinals' vulnerable bullpen.
Milwaukee scored twice in a seventh inning that began with a fly ball that eluded Holliday in left field and included a hit batsman and two walks. Milwaukee's Jean Segura cut the deficit to 6-2 with a sacrifice fly against Joe Kelly, and Carlos Gomez worked a seven-pitch walk with the bases loaded against Mitchell Boggs before Maldonado struck out on a 98-mph fastball from Trevor Rosenthal, stranding three runners on base.
The Cardinals gave the Brewers another run in the eighth, when Rosenthal and catcher Molina crossed signals on what was ruled an infield hit between the mound and the plate, and second baseman Daniel Descalso literally kicked a potential inning-ending double play ball. Those miscues extended the inning for Braun's two-out RBI single, but Rosenthal recovered to strike out Yuniesky Betancourt to strand two more.
In the ninth, the Brewers got another run on Alex Gonzalez's two-out single against Mujica, but pinch-hitter Jonathan Lucroy, representing the winning run, struck out to end the game.
"I thought we swung the bats really well after Westbrook got out of there," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "I like the way we battled back."
Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brew Beat, and follow him on Twitter at @AdamMcCalvy. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

subset: commoncrawl


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christina capones burger sounds so yummy i cant wait to try out her burger...hope she wins
Firin' up the grill for the 4th of July? Yum!
Happy almost Fourth of July to all of our burger & wine lovers! We know that with the Fourth of July around the corner those Build A Better Burger ® creations are starting to really pull themselves together (Am I right?)
Okay, okay.. we know they may not be completely perfected, but don't worry! Jeffery Starr's burger tips are around to help you out! And here's something that mother nature can help you out with, SUMMER..of course! With all of this summer grillin' time, we're getting' geared up for those burger recipes! Yummmy. (Note to self: Stop thinking about all of the delicious burger making that's going on or your head might explode!)
These fancy burger photos (sent by a fellow competitor) make us already want to sink our teeth in to the competition!
We know we've got to wait a few more months until the competition, but we're already getting super excited! So get to grillin' this weekend 'cuz we are prepared for those juicy burgers! (Fourth of July Fireworks and burgers - can that even be topped?)
So let us in on all of your grilling secrets (pretty please with bacon and cheese on top!) It is almost the fourth of July, after all. Celebrate with us!
And if you don't want to share EVERYTHING at least answer this one teensy question:
How did you come up with your gourmet burger creation? (I promise not to drool!)
Thumbnail Credit:
I am looking for your receipe for Red Bliss w/ Goat Cheese , Pineh=nuts, Sundried Tomatos & Kalamata Olives. It was in Cooking Light magazine, December, 2003.
Thank You


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Total $0.00
No one knows how beneficial IEEE Computer Society membership is to technical and career development better than IEEE Computer Society members.
Consider sharing your Computer Society membership experience and get rewarded for doing so. Through the Member Referral program, Computer Society rewards your efforts in recruiting new members.
For each new member you recruit, you earn an award which can be used toward Computer Society dues or the purchase of IEEE Computer Society products and services. During the 2016 membership year (16 August 2015 through 15 August 2016), the Computer Society Member Referral Program offers the following award schedule to members who recruit other individuals into IEEE Computer Society membership.
Professional members can earn:
• US$15 for each Professional member recruited;
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• US$2 for each Student or Graduate Student member recruited;
• US$5 for each Professional member recruited to e-Membership (offered in developing nations only);
• The maximum amount a member can earn during the membership year is US$90.
• Invite a prospective colleague/student to attend a Computer Society Chapter meeting to experience first-hand the professional benefits of Computer Society membership.
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• Post announcements of Computer Society meetings/conferences.
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• Coordinate an event at your place of employment.
1. Only open to current Computer Society members (non-members and past members are not eligible).
2. Completed applications (either print or online), with full dues payment, must be submitted with the recruiter's membership number in the proper recruiter box that is provided on the application (or the 'Referring Member Number' field in the online application).
3. Applications received without a recruiter's valid membership number will be disqualified – there will be no retroactive qualifying of recruiters.
4. Applications must be received before 15 August 2016.
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Download this PDF template that can be printed as is then enter in your name and member number, save the file locally, and reprint as needed.
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'"I don't really have too much of a choice," said Weber, 23. "I'm just trying to stay ready. It's another chance to watch some games and see what we're doing right and wrong. Then I'll be doing more of the right stuff."'
You are here: Home / SabresBeat / Weber sits and learns to be patient


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Mail: Southern statutes symbolize suppession
Mail: Thanks for helping Aiden
More opinion
Fall: Good time to spray musk thistle in rosette stage
Robertson and Delsing re-elected chair, vice chair of NWB
More Ag News
Although the sun still hangs fairly high in the afternoon sky, its angle has changed and the minutes grow noticeably shorter.
I should be glad.
I am glad. I am ready for a new season and look forward to it each year.
Sort of.
The change of seasons holds my attention, but has little to do with the garden. The garden puts itself to bed each night.
The young people living in my house do not. Staying up late has become summer habit as has sleeping in. They come and go at odd hours. When they are not sleeping, they are eating and drinking gallons and gallons of milk. Last week, they located my secret stash of chocolate.
They want to go places and use my money to fund the expenses. They have grown accustomed to each others presence and bicker over the most minor misunderstandings. Their bedrooms filled with discarded clothing, fast food remnants and depleted double-A batteries have morphed into scary places where I dare not venture
In mid-August we were almost nearly completely out of control with the anarchy of summer.
Thankfully, the season wanes.
It is time to trade flip-flops for shiny new sneakers. School schedules arrive in the mail. Backpacks come out of the closet. Haircuts abound. Our thoughts center on 17-cent notebooks and a never-ending supply of No. 2 pencils (sharpened). Summer reading assignments are (painstakingly) completed or very nearly so..
Despite this, I experience a twinge of remorse each year as the calendar turns from August to September from summer to school. As much as I long for the order and stability of a set schedule, I also mourn the loss of the perceived magic and uninhibited freedom that comes from living in chaos.
Our lives are benchmarked by changing seasons. We live through a new school year, new job or new marriage. In birth, death, tragedy and triumph, the calendar turns over a month, a season, a year, a decade. We navigate through diapers to dentures.
As immersed as we may be in our senior year, or baby years or our first year in a new house, it all comes and goes.
When we are in the thick of a particular life event, it is hard to imagine anything else. When it is over, we reminisce and remember: Yeah, that was a pretty big deal.
Then we move on, because were in a new season and thats a big deal, too. In fact, its the one were really interested in right now. Thats how it should be.
This September, one son begins his last year of elementary school. Another starts high school and a third enters his senior year. All benchmarks. Important for now.
On the first day of school, I make them stand in front of trees along the driveway to take their photo. They will protest the picture-taking, but I will persevere, because I am their mom and remain boss for this season, at least.
After they leave that first day, the quiet of the house feels peculiar at first. I pour myself a cup of coffee and linger in the moment, missing them, because Im sappy and, besides, chaos has a tendency to grow on me. Before long, Ill move on to the tasks of the day.
If I have enough time, I may even do some planning for a new garden layout next spring.
Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist. Email her at email@example.com.
Flatrock Publishing, Inc.
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North Platte, NE 69101


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Related Topics:
It's nice when personal and professional interests cross paths. That happened to me last week when DMG/Mori Seiki invited me to visited Andretti Autosport in Indianapolis. DMG/Mori Seiki is one of the Indy Racing League team's technology sponsors. The team provided three CNC machines—a DuraTurn 2550MC turning center, an NV5000DCG vertical and a DMC635 V Eco vertical—used by the team to create a variety of car components. (Other sponsors include Siemens, Big Kaiser, Faro, Lincoln Welders and Seco.)
The lead machinist at Andretti Autosport commented on how easy the transition was to the new machines in terms of quick installation and training that was provided. This was important because there was no overlap between the removal of the previous machines and installation of the new ones. Ellison Technologies played a key role in helping integrate these machines.
Prior to the event, the team hid all the "super-secret" stuff they didn't want anyone to see, so we were allowed to take photos throughout the exceptionally clean facility. Here's a slideshow of some of the neat machining- and racing-related things I saw there.


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Industry News
Breaking News: Facebook Rolls Out Changes To Privacy Settings
Ah, Facebook has done it again! Today Facebook announced they will be rolling out changes to your privacy settings and activity logs.
If you have seen a "privacy shortcut" in the top-right corner of your Facebook page, it's already happened to your page, but it's OK! This blog post will walk you thorough the changes that are happening for your 'personal' and 'brand' pages. Here's a quick rundown of everything you need to know to stay up-to-date and navigate the new changes.
Facebook Privacy:
The privacy changes take away the option to hide your profile from Facebook's search. It will also allow you to decide how much of your content you would like to share with individual subscribers, plus they added a shortcut to your privacy page (finally!). These changes are all applicable to your personal profiles, not your professional pages.
Facebook Activity Log:
This change will be very helpful for professional salon and brand pages. Activity logs will now outline every single activity on your page individually, and allow you to sort by the type (photo, video, posts about your page, etc.) archiving all the way back to the beginning of your Facebook page. This will be a big change for professional business pages as it will allow them to see how their content is being spread, allowing you to change your Facebook strategy where necessary.
So, that's it in a nutshell! If you're looking for an in-depth read on the new changes, go here: or here.
As always, feel free to contact me at: [email protected] with any questions or comments.
Connect With Evoke Brand Strategies:
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Web: www.evokebrands.com
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About www.StyleSync.me:
Style Sync is an on-line social media training, personal branding and business education platform designed specifically for salon owners and stylists to help them magnify their image and multiply their results.
Style Sync, a division of Evoke Brand Strategies, is an on-line, subscription based social media training, personal branding and business education platform designed to help individual stylists and salon owners turn social media prowess into more clients and more money for your salon.
About www.EvokeBrands.com:
At Evoke Brand Strategies we develop digital, social and mobile strategies for salon professional, beauty, hospitality and entertainment brands. As branding and public relations veterans, yet early adopters of all things digital, we understand the importance of creating measurable, buzz-worthy campaigns that generate bottom-line results.


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Organizer Grid Baskets, Set of 2
This item is currently not available.
Additional Information
Baskets for the Organizing Grid Set
- Each basket holds 8 lbs.
- Bottom is perforated with 3/16" drainage holes
Increase the storage space on your Organizing Grid Set with these handy baskets. Use them for pruners, plant tags, and little odds and ends that otherwise might get misplaced.
Product Details
- Powder-coated steel
- Baskets are 10-1/8" W x 4-1/2" D x 6-3/4" H to top of hooks
- Gardener's Supply Exclusive
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®by PowerReviews
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- Was this a gift?:
- No (4)
Reviewed by 11 customers
Displaying reviews 1-10
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- Organize-it
- Sturdy
Best Uses
- Cleaning Products
- Small items
A gift for my husband to be used with the organize-it grid system since there were no more grids available. Will work great & they don't offer an item like this. Match made in heaven. Sturdy. Easy to use. I'm sure this could be hung off other narrow bars, be they metal or wood dowling from a craft shop. Can be used anywhere to organize or just store a few small items in a hanging configuration. Have fun at this price & with the great sturdiness. Organize your flower bulbs, your cleaning products, cans of spray paint. Lots of things. Generously sized!
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
- Good Price For This Prod
- Portable
- So easy to use
Best Uses
- In garage
- On Greenhouse Racks
I use these handy baskets in my greenhouse. I store useful gardening items (gloves, bug spray, tweesers, etc". I can easily move them around with me to different locations within my gardening area as needed.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Great looking
- Great Value
Best Uses
I used the hanging baskets for flowers & herbs as a vertical garden on my balcony. They really turned out great!!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- very handy and useful
Best Uses
I absolutely love the product and I would buy them again for myself. However, they arrived damaged and based on a past job I once had, they were packaged for shipping poorly.
I bought to hang on my horse stalls and keep spray bottles handy for daily use.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
I hang these on the garden fence, they hold my seed packets, velcro ties, and gloves
- Was this a gift?:
- No
- Durable
Best Uses
- In the garden
I will use this item in my garden as flower planters. They hooked onto my trellis and with the holes on the bottom, great drainage! I plan filling them with lots of flowers.
- Great Storage
- Grid No Longer Available
Best Uses
- Small Item Organization
Good for storing small tools and supplies. Wish that the storage grids were still available, but this hangs well on wire storage shelves too.
I have the grid organizer hanging over my workbench. Neat way to store small odds and ends.
- Easy to use
- Handy
- A bit small
Best Uses
- Greenhouse Storage
- small objects
Really helped me get the small items in my greenhouse organized. And they look pretty good, too.
Displaying reviews 1-10
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Princess Warriors T-shirt sale Part 2
Jen Sebbas
Who's Going
San Francisco, California
London, United Kingdom
Florence, Italy
Event Details
Princess Warriors
The most fitting slogan for these two little girls who have both been dealt a horrible hand.
Ana Olsson (will be 4 years old this month) was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. She started her journey at U of M and has recently been transfered to Houston, TX for her radiation treatments. Chemo will follow the conclusion of the radiation. "Ana's Gifts" was created for her by her auntie Lisa and has been the source charity for the Olsson family. The community has come together to pull for Ana in so many heartwarming ways. I (Jen Sebbas) have had the pleasure of knowing Ana since the day she was born...and she was in my daycare for 3 years! She is a tough cookie with oodles of personality and positivity! I just know she will come through her journey with flying colors! Ana is the daughter of Cathy and Steph Olsson.
Mchalie Walter (4 years old) of Calument was recently diagnosed with leukemia. She is the daughter of Royale and Ryan Walter, both of whom are teachers in our local school systems. After the announcement of Mchalie's illness, so many families have rallied to support in any way they could. As fate would have it, Mchalie also began her journey at U of M and will be making many trips back and forth for her treatments. She is such a precious little girl, and she loves to preform and sing andn dance (her mommy is a Zumba instructor, so Mchalie has a great teacher!).
Both Ana and Mchalie LOVE LOVE LOVE the Disney Princesses...so what could be more fitting that a Tshirt in their honor that proclaims: "PRINCESS WARRIORS"! Let's continue to rally for the girls! They need our help...the costs they will face are overwhelming, and we can help support them both by wearing our Princess Warrior shirts! All of the proceeds will be split 50/50 to both the Olsson's and the Walter's.
Please share this link so that we can have as many people as possible wearing Princess Warriors!!!!


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Fairfield police are investigating what officers are calling a "brazen" armed robbery Wednesday night in which approximately 40 iPads were stolen from a local high school.
The robbery took place around 9:52 p.m. when the night custodian at Sem Yeto Continuation School in the 300 block of East Alaska Avenue was approached by two black males, one armed with a handgun, according to Fairfield police Officer Cleo Mayoral.
The school was closed, and the 50-year-old custodian was outside walking between buildings when the suspects, both believed to be in their 20s, approached him, Mayoral said. He was ordered to the ground at gunpoint and the suspects reportedly threatened to kill him if he did not cooperate.
They then demanded to know where the school's iPads were stored before forcing the custodian to direct them to the location, Mayoral said.
Using duct tape to bind the custodian's hands, they then taped him to a desk. Authorities estimate the suspects stole an estimated 40 iPads from the school before running from the campus.
Mayoral said the custodian managed to partially free his hands to call police. Officers responded to the school and found him still partially taped to the desk.
The custodian was not injured during the incident.
Officers conducted an area check searching for the suspects, one of which was between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-7 with a medium build, but were not successful. The suspect was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans with a white design on the back pockets, white gloves and white and black shoes, according to officials.
The custodian said the gun-carrying suspect was between 5-foot-9 and 6-feet tall with a medium build. He was wearing gloves and was dressed in a gray hooded sweatshirt and black leather jacket with dark jeans and black and white shoes, police said.
"Our situation here is that suspects are starting to figure out there are expensive, high-tech educational tools here," Mayoral said, noting that this is the third incident involving the school's iPads being targeted by thieves in the last five months following burglaries in September and October.
Wednesday's robbery was the first incident in which armed intruders have accosted school staff, Mayoral noted.
Follow Staff Writer Catherine Bowen at Twitter.com/cbowen4.


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Posted 5 years ago
(36 items)
Okay 'Manikin' I need your help. However, first, I would like to ad that I admire your knowledge on dolls and I am learning allot from you. I love and read all your articles, you are one amazing lady. Thank you.
As for this doll I didn't even receive her yet. These are just pictures from the site that I won her on. Hope they are good enough. If not when I receive doll (approx. in a few more days) I will post more. First, I always wanted a Shirley Temple Doll, but know nothing about them. I do know eyes are important when buying a doll but I just couldn't resist her even with her cloudy eyes. She is a 1930's? composition 22" doll. Any information you can pass on to me would be greatly appreciated?


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Furcal's season over after just nine games
MIAMI -- Nine games at the Major League level is all Rafael Furcal is going to get this year. The infielder, who signed with the Marlins this past winter to play second base, will undergo surgery on Wednesday in Miami to remove scar tissue from the left hamstring that's plagued him all year.
Furcal will spend six to eight weeks recovering from the procedure, knocking him out of play until the end of October.
Although he hasn't played regularly since 2012, the former All-Star shortstop isn't ready to give up baseball. The 36-year-old infielder wants to participate in the Winter League in his native Dominican Republic.
"I'm just embarrassed because I signed with this team so eagerly," said Furcal, who was supposed to solidify second base for Miami and provide veteran leadership at the top of the order. "I live here, it's a young team and who wouldn't want to be part of it when we're doing so well right now? I know that if I had gotten to play and stay healthy, I could have at least done my share."
It's been a while since Furcal has spent significant time in the Major Leagues. He was looking forward to returning to action with the Marlins this season after missing all of 2013 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
But in Spring Training, his left hamstring began to bother him. The discomfort was enough to land him on the 15-day disabled list to start the season. When he was ready to come back from that, he was sidelined with a groin strain throughout May.
He didn't make his 2014 debut with Miami until June 13 -- and once he did, he was only up for nine games before the hamstring started nagging him again. He sustained a Grade 3 strain trying to beat out a double-play grounder in a loss to the Mets on June 21.
The Marlins initially put him on the 15-day DL, then transferred him to the 60-day DL on July 19. At that point, he had been optimistic he could suit up again in August. But as the weeks passed, news didn't get any better.
"I didn't want to have surgery," Furcal said. "I tried all I could, but there's only so much you can do when you can't run out on the field and play [without discomfort]. I can't deal with it anymore. I can't even walk without it bothering me."
But the veteran still showed up to games at Marlins Park and was a consistent presence in a clubhouse whose average age is 27.9 (eighth youngest in the Majors, according to ESPN). Even though he didn't get to make a big impact on the team's place in the standings, Furcal's influence was felt elsewhere, especially on his younger Latin teammates like Marcell Ozuna and Adeiny Hechavarria.
"It doesn't matter that he hasn't been playing. He's been great to have around," said Hechavarria, a shortstop who's gleaned a lot from watching videos of his defense with Furcal. "Sometimes he'll show me what I did wrong to cause errors and why I did it, go through every step with me. He's helped me get better."
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter


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Three MLS players are part of the 23-man Costa Rica roster that will face the U.S. Men's National Team at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on March 22.
New York Red Bull defender Roy Miller, Columbus Crew forward Jairo Arrieta, and Real Salt Lake forward Alvaro Saborio will join teammates who play professionally in the top league's in Costa Rica, Mexico, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Sweden and England on head coach's Jorge Luis Pinto Afanador squad ahead of the World Cup Qualifying match in Colorado.
Saborio, who scored the tying goal against the Rapids on Saturday, has scored two goals in three matches at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, both in 2010. Miller has played 96 minutes in two matches in Commerce City, including all 90 for the Red Bulls in 2011 when the Rapids ran away with a 4-1 win. Arrieta, in his second year with the Crew, has yet to play in MLS at DSG Park. Former Chivas USA and LA Galaxy defender Michael Umaña appeared twice in Colorado for Chivas, going 90 in a 3-0 loss in 2010 and again in a 2-2 draw in 2011.
Costa Rica Roster (play in Costa Rica unless otherwise noted):
Goalkeepers: Keilor Navas (Levante - SPA), Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense)
Defenders: Juan Diego Madrigal (Santos de Guápiles), Christian Gamboa (Rosenborg - NOR ), Michael Umaña (Saprissa), Johnny Acosta (Dorados de Sinaloa - MEX), Giancarlo González (Valerenga - NOR), Roy Miller (Red Bulls New York - USA), Bryan Oviedo (Everton - ENG), Christopher Meneses (Alajuelense)
Midfielders: Celso Borges (AIK - SWE), Osvaldo Rodríguez (Santos de Guápiles), Cristian Bolaños (Copenague - DEN), Ariel Rodríguez (Pérez Zeledón), Keylor Soto (Pérez Zeledón), Yeltsin Tejeda (Saprissa), Michael Barrantes (AAlesund - NOR), Diego Calvo (Alajuelense), Bryan Ruiz (Fulham - ENG), Mauricio Castillo (Cartaginés)
Forwards: Alvaro Saborio (Real Salt Lake - USA), Joel Campbell (Real Betis - SPA), Jairo Arrieta (Columbus Crew - USA),


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Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Dr. Kathleen Hogan is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) at the U.S. Department of Energy, where she oversees a more than $900 million annual energy efficiency policy, program, and research portfolio including industrial, buildings, and vehicle technologies, along with Federal energy management. As part of EERE's senior leadership, Dr. Hogan helps to oversee $16.8 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding.
Prior to this position, Dr. Hogan served for more than 10 years as the Division Director at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) responsible for the development and operation of EPA's clean energy programs focused on removing market barriers for energy efficiency and renewable energy. These programs included the ENERGY STAR program, programs for combined heat and power and renewable energy, corporate leadership programs, and efforts focused on state clean energy policies. Under her management, ENERGY STAR grew to a national brand for energy efficiency across products, new homes, and buildings. She was also a key convener of the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency and has served as a technical advisor on the boards of a number of national and regional energy efficiency organizations.
Earlier in her EPA career, Dr. Hogan developed and managed programs to address emissions of methane and the high global warming potential gases including programs with the natural gas, waste management, livestock, aluminum smelting, and electronics industries. She also worked to address methane emissions in the Russian natural gas system and was an expert contributor on these topics to assessment reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Dr. Hogan has been recognized for her work with a Presidential Rank Award, induction into the Energy Efficiency Hall of Fame of the US Energy Association, and as a contributor to the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Dr. Hogan has a Ph.D. from the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Bucknell University.
In partnership with:


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Free Standard Shipping On All Orders
Sweater Weather Travels: Portland
Meanwhile, in Downtown Portland, stroll around to discover shops, delicious resturants, and historic buildings, such as Jackson Tower above.
No trip to Portland is complete without a visit to Powell's Books, the world's largest independent used and new bookstore.
One last look at the beautiful Northwest... We'd definitely recommend Portland for a weekend escape - and would love to hear your suggestions for favorite places in Portland - feel free to tweet us @QuiksilverWomen!With sweater season flourishing, where, oh where, will we take the #TravelingSweater next?


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07 April 2017
It has a welcoming and family feel. An extremely friendly place to attend.
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The tape across her mouth said "Silenced By Fear." When asked a question, Shocked shook her head vigorously and strummed her guitar while seated on the ground outside popular music venue Moe's Alley. She pointed to a sign inviting people to pick up a Sharpie marker and write on the white disposable safety suit she was wearing.
Earlier in the day, she had tweeted her plans: "Moe's in S Cruz tonight ok? Its an art project 'My Summer Vacation' I want your autograph. Bring Sharpie."
Moe's Alley owner Bill Welch, who talked with Shocked as she strummed her guitar outside his club, had replaced her with bands Beaver Fever and Frootie Flavors.
"We will not be bashing Michelle Shocked," he said. "Rather we will celebrate music, diversity and send some healing Santa Cruz energy her way."Associated Press


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QUALITY Education and Assistance in the following areas:
ORIENTATION SESSIONS ARE HELD EVERY WEDNESDAY at 12:00 p.m. ON THE MARTIN CAMPUS IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ROOM 1915
Ready To Work (RTW) provides trainees FREE training in basic skills and abilities required by most leading businesses and industries in Alabama.
The RTW curriculum is designed by Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) to build skills based on demands of local businesses and industries along with a nation-wide growth in technology, computer knowledge and employment availability.
Successful graduates will receive an "Alabama Certified Worker" Certificate from AIDT as well as an National Career Readiness Certificate from ACT WorkKeys allowing them to compete for jobs in today's competitive market.
To qualify for Ready to Work students must earn an 8 on both the reading and math portions of the PRE-TABE Assessment. This test will be administered during the Orientation Session held every Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. Students must also have a high school diploma or GED to enter RTW training.
Students may select site and time that best fits their schedule:
Martin Campus
8:30-11:30 a.m. or 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Monday - Thursday
Fredd Campus
8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Monday - Thursday
Classes meet for five weeks.
Trainees will receive training in the following areas: Computer Skills, Workplace Behavior, Manufacturing, Job Acquisition, Leadership Skills and Problem Solving.
Information sessions are held every Wednesday morning at the West Alabama Center for Workforce Development on the Shelton State's Martin Campus at 12:00 p.m. Anyone age 16 and up may call the West Alabama Center for Workforce Development at 205.391.2489 for more information.
For Program Information in your local area:
Toll Free: 1.800.966.4987
Local Phone: 205.391.2489
Local Fax: 205.391.2490
© Copyright 2012 Shelton State Community College
9500 Old Greensboro Rd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
Web Design by In10sity
Check us out on these social networks:


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Among the many perks to moving into our new facility, one of the best is being able to offer tours to the public and share how we make the products you know and love. We began offering tours of our manufacturing process in June of this year.Â
We welcomed our 1,000th tour guest last week to our mill. June Grice from Scio, Oregon visited with her 55+ Club of the Albany First Church of God. In the four and a half months we have been giving tours, we have had people from 29 states and 5 countries, including Canada, China, Viet Nam, Mexico and England. Our youngest guest was 2 weeks old and our oldest was almost 91 years young.One guest told us that our tour was "more interesting than the SPAM factory.†Well, we certainly hope so. Although, one does wonder what exactly is in SPAM and how do they get it into those little square tins??
If you haven't been by, we hope you will visit the next time you're in Portland, or just passing through. Tours are offered Monday through Friday from 10 am- 11 am. Our wonderful tour guide, Christie, will show you how we get products from farm to your table.


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Daniel Preston Barger scored as the first 2013 baby at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center. Our champ clocked in with an impressive 4:05 a.m. arrival, with an assist going to obstetrician Dr. Vella Victoria Chancellor, MD along with mom Stephanie Barger (and dad Austin Barger) of Arlington. Now resting on his laurels at 7 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 19 3/4 inches, Daniel's future training plans include a lot of eating and sleeping as he tries to catch up to big brother, Dalton, age 13 1/2 months.


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Check out this family's nutritious and hearty recipes, perfect for warming up on cold days.
Sherry and David Bryant of Bowling Green, Kentucky, stay busy raising five children ages 2 to 14. We gave them ideas for making their favorite recipes more healthful and for finding new ways to experience quality family time.
Family Menu:
- Baked Potato-and-Broccoli Soup
- Garlic-and-Herb-Stuffed Chicken Breasts
- Pralines-and-Cream Cheesecake
- Hearty Lasagna With Italian Meat Sauce
- Italian Meat Sauce
Cooking with Kids
Allow your children to join you in the kitchen, and make cooking a family event. Not only does recipe preparation help kids develop skills such as counting, measuring, following directions, and decision-making, but it also improves their creative, organizational, and teamwork abilities.