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Ford claims Prius-beating economy for C-Max hybrid
A day after we covered the new Prius + hybrid MPV, Ford has said it can do even better.
The 2013 C-Max hybrid has not yet been officially tested in Europe, but Ford says initial tests in the USA show the C-Max beating the Prius by approximately three mpg.
We have to be a bit careful as final data has not yet been confirmed, but Ford is talking of a total power output of 188 bhp from its combination of 2.0 normally aspirated petrol engine plus electric motor. The petrol engine is likely to be unique to the hybrid – it is not a turbocharged Ecoboost unit, unlike all other 2.0 litre petrol Fords in Europe. Like the Prius, it is an Atkinson-cycle engine, which has different valve timing to a conventional engine to boost economy at the expense of power.
Ford says that the C-Max hybrid will be slightly cheaper in the US than the Prius +. If that is repeated in the UK, the price is likely to be around £23,000 - £25,000.
As well as the C-Max hybrid, Ford will introduce a C-Max Energi, which is a plug-in version of the hybrid. This will have an electric-only range of 15 miles and no doubt spectacular official fuel consumption figures – expect well over 100 mpg. Real world fuel consumption will depend purely on how often you can plug it into the mains. Without mains recharging, fuel consumption is likely to be in the fifties.

subset: commoncrawl


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An admitted gang member has been convicted of murdering two people and trying to kill 10 others during a 2006 shooting spree in the San Fernando Valley.
The Los Angeles Superior Court jury deliberated a day before finding Marlon Osorio guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and 10 counts of attempted murder Thursday for the shooting deaths of Nelson Ramirez and Jesus Garcia and 10 other shootings. Osorio was acquitted of an 11th attempted murder charge.
Osorio is a member of Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, a gang founded by Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles during the 1980s.
Jurors are due back Monday when they will be asked to recommend whether the 26-year-old defendant should be sentenced to death or life in prison.


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Incentive Design to Enhance the Reach of Weight Loss Program
This study employed stated-preference methods to elicit individuals' program participation preference towards different financial incentive attributes. The results of this study show promise for the use of carefully designed incentive programs to raise participation in weight loss programs. Results show that a fungible payment form is important for the incentive to be effective in reach (i.e., cash and grocery gift-cards are preferred over gym passes and waivers of insurance co-payments). Furthermore, immediate payment is preferred over delayed payment.
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- Xavier Giné & Dean Karlan & Jonathan Zinman, 2010.
"Put Your Money Where Your Butt Is: A Commitment Contract for Smoking Cessation,"
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics,
American Economic Association, vol. 2(4), pages 213-235, October.
- Gine, Xavier & Karlan, Dean & Zinman, Jonathan, 2009. "Put your money where your butt is : a commitment contract for smoking cessation," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4985, The World Bank.
- Özdemir, Semra & Johnson, F. Reed & Hauber, A. Brett, 2009. "Hypothetical bias, cheap talk, and stated willingness to pay for health care," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 894-901, July. Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)
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text:
ORLANDO, Fla. - Orange County Fire Rescue officials were called to a school bus Tuesday morning to treat a student who had a medical emergency.
The bus was westbound on State Road 408 at Kirkman Road around 8:45 a.m. when the issue was reported.
No other details, including the condition of the student or where the bus was headed, were not immediately known.
Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Turquoise Nursery Ideas
Pimp Your Crib: Turquoise Brings Calm to Lil Lairs
Pimp Your Crib: Turquoise Brings Calm to Lil Lairs
Paint the nursery turquoise! The folks at Pantone have declared it color of the year. Turquoise combines blue and green to create a calm and soothing tone. From walls painted with the perfect shade ($50 per gallon) to cribs, bedding, and lighting options, we've rounded up some of our favorite turquoise items to add flair to a tot's lair.
0previous images
-21more images


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The prices are high and the returns are often low. But every year at the trade deadline, the same thing happens: Stanley Cup-crazed general managers give up prospects and draft picks for overvalued rental players they believe will take their team to the Promised Land.
[np_storybar title="Don Cherry accuses Montreal Canadiens' P.K. Subban of 'poking the bear'" link="http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/05/06/don-cherry-accuses-montreal-canadiens-p-k-subban-of-poking-the-bear/"%5D
For the second time in three games, Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban scored a goal in the first period of a playoff game against the Boston Bruins, and for the second time in three games, Don Cherry found something to criticize.
Subban scored on a breakaway to give the Canadiens an early 2-0 lead on Tuesday night, and that is where the score stood when Cherry appeared for his Coach's Corner segment in the first intermission of Hockey Night in Canada. At issue was a play from the previous game, on Saturday.
Read more…[/np_storybar]
It never works. Well, almost never.
While the St. Louis Blues might want a refund after Ryan Miller failed to advance them past the first round, Los Angeles' Marian Gaborik and Montreal's Thomas Vanek are the reasons why their respective teams are still alive in the playoffs.
Here is a look at how some of this year's deadline deals are working out:
Marian Gaborik, Los Angeles
What they gave up: Acquired from Columbus in exchange for Matt Frattin, a second-round pick in either 2014 or 2015, and a conditional third-round pick.
Was it worth it? Yes. There was concern how the free-skating Gaborik, who couldn't find a spot in Columbus' roster, would fit in with the more structured Kings. But the change of scenery has brought him to a Conn Smythe level, at least halfway through the second round. Gaborik, who leads the playoffs with six goals, had five points as the Kings erased a 3-0 series deficit to the Sharks in the first round. In Game 1 against the Ducks in the second round, he forced overtime with seven seconds remaining in the third period, and then scored the game-winner.
Thomas Vanek, Montreal
What they gave up: Acquired from the New York Islanders, along with a conditional fifth-round pick in 2014, in exchange for Sebastian Collberg and a conditional second-round pick in 2014.
Was it worth it? Yes. For years, the Canadiens have stood pat at the deadline. This year, they addressed a need for more size up front and top-level scoring by getting a former 50-goal winger for the price of a mid-level prospect and second-round pick. Vanek has come as advertised, scoring six goals and 15 points in 18 regular season games for Montreal. But his impact has been felt in the playoffs, where he has three goals and two assists in six games.
Ilya Bryzgalov, Minnesota
What they gave up: Acquired from Edmonton in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2014.
Was it worth it? Not really. The Wild needed goaltending help, because of Josh Harding's health concerns and Darcy Kuemper's inexperience. But Bryzgalov, who has not been a top goaltender since leaving Phoenix in 2011, has not been the answer Minnesota was looking for. He was pulled once in the first round before losing the starting job to Kuemper. Bryzgalov is back in net because Kuemper was injured in Game 7 against the Avalanche, but he has allowed seven goals in his the two games to the Blackhawks and has a playoff-worst .830 save percentage.
Lee Stempniak, Pittsburgh
What they gave up: Acquired from Calgary in exchange for a 2014 third-round pick.
Was it worth it? Sort of. With Pascal Dupuis injured, the Penguins needed someone to play with Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz. The first choice might not have been Stempniak, but there weren't many options available this year. And while Stempniak has two goals and one assist, Crosby's recent goalless streak prompted head coach Dan Bylsma to put the Penguins captain with Evgeni Malkin. Crosby finally scored in Game 3 against the Rangers on Monday.
Martin St. Louis, NY Rangers
What they gave up: Acquired from Tampa Bay in exchange for Ryan Callahan, a 2014 conditional second-round pick and a 2015 first-round pick.
Was it worth it? Yes. With Callahan pricing himself out of New York, the Rangers were able to trade the pending free agent for a veteran player who not only wanted out of Tampa Bay, but is on the books for two more years. St. Louis, who won a Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay with Brad Richards, has been the offensive jolt that New York and Richards were looking for. While Richards leads the team in playoff scoring with three goals and seven points, St. Louis has two goals and six points.
Ryan Miller, St. Louis
What they gave up: Acquired, along with Steve Ott, from Buffalo in exchange for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, William Carrier, a first-round pick in 2015 and a conditional third-round pick in 2016.
Was it worth it? No. The price might have been high for the rental goalie, but it would have been worth it had Miller delivered a Stanley Cup to St. Louis. Instead, he could not even get them out of the first round. Granted, the Blues lost to a Blackhawks team that has won two of the last four championships. But after an alternately great and mediocre in the regular season — he was 10-8-1 with a .903 save percentage for the Blues — Miller struggled in his first playoff series in three years, posting a .897 save percentage. Ott was no better, scoring no goals and picking up just five assists in 29 combined games in the regular season and playoffs.


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We've all been in the situation. You're having lunch or dinner with several colleagues and as you're talking, you notice that there's one person who has something stuck between two teeth. It's spinach or a peppercorn, and every time she talks or smiles it's so obvious to everyone else at the table, yet she is just as obviously unaware of it.
So, what do you do? Do you speak up, giving her an opportunity to excuse herself to go fix the problem, while potentially causing a great deal of embarrass- ment for having pointed it out? Or do you just keep your mouth shut (literally and figuratively), hoping that the meal will end, and that you're not experienc- ing the same problem yourself, taking the first opportunity to head to the rest room to make sure? The etiquette books make it pretty clear that you should keep your observations to yourself. But, if it were you, wouldn't you want to be told?
This problem of the embarrassing social or other lapse—and how you would want it to be handled if you were the one in the situation—has more in common with the practice of law than you might think, particularly if your practice relies heavily on receiving client referrals from existing clients or other lawyers.
More than 10 years ago, in an article entitled "Build Your Practice by Nurturing Your Clients and Referral Sources" in the April 1999 issue of this magazine, Mark Powers, President of Atticus, a practice management education and training organization for attorneys, reported that "70% of attorneys are unhappy with their current referral sources. They have given up on referring to other attorneys or are tolerating their current referral network until some- thing better comes along."
While Powers didn't cite any authority for this percentage, my then-recent experience in private practice made the statement resonate with me, and nothing that I've seen in almost 15 years of working with lawyers as a practice management advisor has made me think that things have changed very much.
Most of us just sit back, keep our mouths shut like the diner in my example above, take no positive action to change our situations and hope that others will have cause to refer work to us, no matter how well or how poorly we handle it. I trust Powers' intuition on this, and you probably do, too.
So, if you're one of the 70% of lawyers who's not satisfied with your referral sources, what can you do to improve the situation? Here are the simple steps.
So, if you're one of the 70% of lawyers who's not satisfied with your referral sources, what can you do to improve the situation? Here are the simple steps.
Decide What You Want
By this, I mean that you should think critically about the type of practice you have now, what unmet legal needs exist in your community and what you might be able to do to meet those needs. Set a limit on the number of practice areas your practice will cover. It's much better to be a master of a few trades than a Jack of all. Then, establish written criteria for the cases that you will take. This will help you to easily spot cases that don't fit within your plan and help you to stay firm in your resolve to stick with that plan. Knowing exactly what you are looking for will make the case review and intake process easier, and will also help you to streamline and automate the way you handle these new cases once you sign them up, allowing you to build practice efficiencies.
Tell Other People Who Can Help You
Once you've decided what types of new business you're looking to attract, you will need to network with others to seek their help. Your friends and colleagues can't send you referrals if they don't know that you want them or don't know what type of referrals you'd like to receive.
Think strategically about who you know that might be in contact with your target clients—especially those lawyers you might be able to repay by making referrals in turn—and arrange to spend time with them in a comfortable setting. Educate these potential referral sources about the type of practice you're trying to build and how they can help, and brainstorm about how you might be able to help each other. You may often be surprised to find that your fellow lawyers, who don't practice the same type of law you do, often have no idea where to send clients that they can't help. Seek out other solos and small firms with different practice niches until you've created a network that enables you to be more of a full service legal provider.
Say "Thank You"
Here in the South, the handwritten thank-you note, while maybe not as common as the common sparrow, is hardly an endangered species. If someone does something nice for you, the right thing is to let them know that you appreciated it—especially if you'd like for them to keep doing it! Whether the custom in your area is handwritten notes, treating at lunch every so often or sending a small gift during the holidays, take it to the next level and let those who refer good cases to you know just how thankful you are for their thoughtfulness. Expressing your true appreciation helps build personal relationships and encourages the objects of your gratitude to continue to do nice things for you. We all should have learned this as children, but in the rush of the modern law practice we sometimes forget.
Ask How You Did
Finally, you need to keep up with where your clients come from. This is important in letting you know who your good business sources are, facilitating your ability to thank them, and also helping you regularly follow up on all referred cases. Monitoring feedback from your referral sources is the best way to make sure referrals keep coming.
Few of us like to be judged, and no one ever volunteered to receive periodic report cards, but it's important to contact your referral sources from time to time to make sure they are happy with the way referrals are being handled. Like the diners described above, referral sources will seldom risk mutual embarrassment in order to tell you something you need to know: that they were dissatisfied with the way you handled a referred matter.
When contacting your referral sources, ask specifically whether the referred client reported being happy with the referral, and whether the referring lawyer was happy with the length of time it took you to see the client, the fee charged and the frequency with which you reported on the status of the case. Take any criticism you receive with good grace, and offer ways to improve the situation. If you can build confidence in your referral sources that your goal is to continuously improve the way you handle the cases they refer, you will be the first lawyer they will think of when the time comes to refer a client.
Build personal relationships and encourages the objects of your gratitude to continue to do nice things for you. We all should have learned this as children, but in the rush of the modern law practice we sometimes forget.
No one really likes to have their flaws pointed out, but when it comes to referral sources, finding out about that unsightly peppercorn sooner rather than later can be a great thing.


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Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal
Select your stay dates to check availability
Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal
About the hotel
Property Location
With a stay at Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal in Orlando, you'll be in the business district and convenient to Pirate's Dinner Adventure and Universal Studios Florida®. This family-friendly hotel is within close proximity of Titanic the Experience and Sleuth's Mystery Dinner Show.
Make yourself at home in one of the 400 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed. Wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary, and LCD televisions with digital programming provide entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.
Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities
Take advantage of recreation opportunities including an outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Additional amenities include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and an arcade/game room. If you're planning a day at a nearby theme park, you can hop on the complimentary shuttle.
Grab a bite at one of the hotel's 2 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of 24-hour room service. Relax with a refreshing drink from a poolside bar or one of the 2 bars/lounges.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Event facilities at this hotel consist of conference space and meeting rooms. Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.
Hotel Facilities
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- 24-hour front desk
- 24-hour fitness facilities
- Free theme park shuttle
- Free wired high-speed Internet
- Long-term parking (surcharge)
- Number of meeting rooms - 5
- Meeting rooms 5
- Poolside bar
- Pool sun loungers
- RV, bus, truck parking (surcharge)
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Wedding services
- Free area shuttle
- Free WiFi
- Pool umbrellas
- Local Expert Concierge
- Arcade/game room
- Smoke-free property
- Number of restaurants - 2
- Conference space
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Laundry facilities
- Luggage storage
- Number of floors - 15
- 24-hour business center
- Total number of rooms - 400
- Porter/bellhop
- Elevator/lift
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Concierge services
- Outdoor pool
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Gift shops or newsstand
- Spa services on site
- Television in lobby
- Number of bars/lounges - 2
- ATM/banking
- Valet parking (surcharge)
- Garden
Room Facilities
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
- Free wired high-speed Internet
- Pillowtop mattress
- Coffee/tea maker
- In-room safe
- Room service (24 hours)
- Digital TV service
- Premium bedding
- Hair dryer
- Free toiletries
- Phone
- Iron/ironing board
- Cribs/infant beds available
- Private bathroom
- Free WiFi
- Shower/tub combination
- Air conditioning
- Daily housekeeping
- Premium TV channels
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Climate control
Hotel Policy
Know Before You Go
- Up to 2 children 17 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding.
- The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
The following fees and deposits are charged by the property at time of service, check-in, or check-out.
- Breakfast fee: USD 14.99 for adults and USD 0.00 for children (approximately)
- Fee for in-room wireless Internet: USD 0.00 per stay (rates may vary)
- Self parking fee: USD 12 per night (in/out privileges)
- Valet parking fee: USD 22 per day (in/out privileges)
- Rollaway beds are available for an additional fee
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
Renovations and Closures
The hotel will be renovating from 24 August 2015 to 19 October 2015 (completion date subject to change). The following areas are affected:
- One of the dining venues
- Bar/lounge
- Dining venue


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Connecting to the inner self is the best means to overcome adversity.
The book is a guide to self-realization so as to make optimal decisions to prevent being overwhelmed by an oppressive situation. Freedom is a state of mind. One must begin by making changes within the self to realize the depth of one's freedom. Self-realized thoughts overcome trials and tribulations.
These transform actions based in reasoned solutions. Active learning, self –correction in self-love helps achieve optimal thoughts. Inner consciousness improves actions that withstand adversity. This enduring philosophy is a fail- safe, tried and true method to uphold autonomy of the self. Oppression is best overcome with self-assured wisdom that exposes ignorance. To overcome limited consciousness, one's identity is also open to reconsideration.
The notion of One World lies in consciously connecting to the collective as a whole while securing ones unique individuality.
"Suneja's book has a loving spirit that offers hope that through inner reflection and determination, they can, as the title promises, become the change they are seeking"
- Blue Ink Reviews
Receive weekly newsletters, daily inspirational messages, Yoga and Meditation tips, video tutorials, podcasts and so much more!
"Meditation and self-reflection come up time and again as methods to achieve this growth; Suneja is at her best when writing about the profound value of these two powerful tools."
- Patty Sutherland (Foreword Reviews)
"I Am the Change I Seek" is an inspiring guide for those of us who long to take control of our lives, face and overcome our deepest fears and insecurities and thus achieve true freedom. The author outlines the process of self-knowledge through meditation, leading to the realization that we have the power to control our destiny regardless of our circumstances and the pressures of society, and to become aware of our oneness with all of Creation and the responsibilities this entails."
- Margaret Hilleary (Bethesda, Maryland)
Interviews, Book Trailers, Book Signings and more!
Email us


text:
The Washington,
D.C., city council is considering expanding rights for
gay and lesbian couples, but that doesn't include legalizing
equal marriage rights, much to the chagrin of some
activists, The
Washington Post reported Monday.
D.C. council member Jim Graham told the
newspaper that he is "seriously considering"
introducing a bill that would legalize marriage for
gay and lesbian couples who live in the district. That
could be a tough piece of legislation to push through:
Congress has final say over D.C. and would probably
veto such a measure. "Not doing what you believe
in is a very uneasy feeling," Graham, one of two
openly gay council members, told the Post.
David A. Catania, who is the other gay council
member and who quit the Republican Party over its
opposition to gay equality, told the newspaper: "If
the district trots out too far, we become a cause celebre
for Congress to whip on." A better strategy, he said,
is to "try to make sustainable advances instead of
ideal advances."
Meanwhile, the new plan being considered by the
council would expand tax and inheritance benefits. It
gives partners powers of attorney, the ability to sue
for negligence, and immunity from testifying against one
another. The bill also allows the equivalent of prenuptial
agreements and alimony-like obligations if a breakup
occurs, the newspaper reported. (Advocate.com)


text:
Seven people suffered injuries in a crash in Montgomery County.
University Boulevard West is closed in both directions at Brunett Avenue in Silver Spring, Md.
Two people suffered ciritical injuries. Five others suffered serious to non-life-threatening injuries.
Stay with NBCWashington.com for updates as they become available.
Published at 5:34 PM EDT on Mar 14, 2013 | Updated at 7:45 PM EDT on Mar 14, 2013


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castor's sauna box
castor's sauna box
Baby, it's cold outside, and leave it to Canadians to come up with the steamy stylish eco solution: The Sauna Box. Toronto-based design firm Castor has a created an entirely self-contained sauna made from an unlikely suspect -- a recycled shipping container. Powered by the sun and heated by wood, the sauna is custom fit to your site, and comes with all the necessities one should expect: iPod and guitar hook-up, carved stools, a magnetic truck light, a wool toque and a set of bronze antlers
Visit: www.castordesign.ca and check out the product video (to the tune of Broken Social Scene). For more information and pricing, call 416-994-1232.


text:
This product is no longer available.
You can try these similar gifts instead.
Maid of Honor Personalized Jewelry Box
This jewelry box is a very thoughtful way to say thank you. It's for that friend of the bride who was so happy to hear that she was getting married. She'll keep it in her room to remember their incredible, joyful ceremony.


text:
Look + Listen
22 comments:
Fabulous, entry! and an even more gorgeous front door.ReplyDelete
I would give anything to come in my house and see this!!ReplyDelete
Such a pretty door!ReplyDelete
*sigh*..too gorgeous. I want to marry it too!ReplyDelete
x Charlotta
love love love love love. Jlo rocks the world.ReplyDelete
love the white stripes too.
happy weekend gorgeous girl. xoxo
What a great entrance! Love the White Stripes, too.ReplyDelete
Have a great weekend!
Ring dinge dong...xoxReplyDelete
Love it!! really gorgeous entrance!!ReplyDelete
One of my favorite songs :)ReplyDelete
It's a stunning entranceway. Am I bad to wonder aloud if this home has ever seen a child cross it's path? I"m just jealous!ReplyDelete
The perfect entryway! I would die to have this...okay maybe not die, but close!ReplyDelete
that door + hardware combination is nothing but fabulous...ReplyDelete
that entrance is so glam and lovely!ReplyDelete
love this entry! love that doorReplyDelete
wow, what an entry. none too shabby. wish it were mine! jxxReplyDelete
Love this entry.ReplyDelete
What a beautiful entry way!!! Just lovin' the chandelier. : )ReplyDelete
Health and happiness,


text:
Greylock Publishing Lines
The Laughing Lip
Mythology repeats itself.™
Humanity has barely survived its own foolishness to reach the stars. Ecological collapse was avoided only by the decimation of humanity in the Pandemics of the 2030's. A new kind of empire was built by those who could control the deadly strains. With most world travel halted, the new world order strictly controlled population, commerce, and technology. Still, humanity yearned for fresh air and green fields.
By the 2200's, humanity spread through our own solar system. In the early 2300's, rudimentary FTL drives allowed colonization of a tolerable world in the Centaurus system. Advances in FTL and other technology allowed humanity to accelerate expansion later in the century. Dome-and-tunnel colonies were established at Wolf 359 and UV Ceti despite recurrent flares. Both colonies include "gene reserves" from Earth.
In the 2350's and 2360's, humanity first encountered the zhīzhū. The spider-like aliens have refused to communicate in any way. They view humanity as vermin to be exterminated. The zhīzhū have decisively claimed and colonized the blue-green Earth-like worlds beyond Wolf 359. Humanity cannot expand into their sphere of influence.
Along Yi Tan's reach, the humanoid Horns and Hornless of Shānhé-Wòtǔ (Tau Ceti IV) live and grow on their own blue-green world circling Tau Ceti. "Manifest Destiny" extremists covet the green fields and blue oceans. Backed by key members of the Imperial Fleet, these extremists plan genocide to claim Shānhé-Wòtǔ for humanity. The Emperor's Jin Jun lack the numbers to defend the natives of Tau Ceti IV by force.
Manifest Destiny has a larger goal: destroy the zhīzhū and take their worlds for humanity. If the three species cannot find common ideas and words, mutual destruction must follow.
Interspecies competition cannot be resolved in a single stroke. A future generation must also face the old instincts. A grandchild of the original protagonists will have to decide whether she will take up their battle.
All Shall Go to Wrack, Demand the Debt that's Owing and Long-Remembering Harpers are available in paper or for Kindle at Amazon.com (click the links for paper!). Some Man Kneel Down, is due in early 2013.
Gregylock Publishing Lines
Attn: Gregory P. Lee
279 South Main Street
Attleboro, MA 02703
To contact us:
Find Free Download Sample and Electronic Editions at DriveThru Sci-Fi


text:
Game over for the Georgia Dome
It took just 12 seconds for the 25-year era of the Georgia Dome, one of the NFL's most iconic stadia, to be reduced to dust as it was imploded.Click image to view video
Watch Optus Stadium lighting show
The lighting system at the newly christened Optus Stadium is put through its paces. With over 150,000 LED lights, the system is one of the largest sports lighting installations in the world.Click image to view video
Ellerbe Becket's managing principal Stephen J. Duethman on the Barclays Center and the latest design trends
Ellerbe Becket's managing principal Stephen J. Duethman on the Barclays Center and the latest design trends
Ellerbe Becket will highlight its work for the Barclays Center at Stadia Design & Technology Expo – where are you with that project right now?
On the design side, we are completing work associated with the interior of the arena, specifically materials selection and signage. The construction is well underway, with construction of foundations, steel erection and the start of precast seating treads and risers scheduled for April this year. Also the fabrication of thousands of pieces of weathering steel is ongoing. These pieces will form the exterior façade of the facility. The biggest challenge on this project was to gain access to the entire site to continue with excavation and construction of foundations. Numerous legal challenges and the demolition of structures on the site hampered the ability to construct the project in a fluid sequence. But all parties are working together to overcome these hurdles and construction is progressing nicely towards an opening date in autumn 2012.
What are some of the unique features you are designing into the Barclays Center?
The exterior façade design is certainly unique in terms of the material used (weathering steel) and the form that results, including a 25m cantilevered canopy at the main entry plaza at the junction of Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues. The canopy will have a large oculus within that will display a dynamic marquee to advertise current and upcoming events. Inside the venue, the aim is to evoke the streets of Brooklyn and the industrial history of the area by continuing the weathering steel context, for example at the face of the concession stands and in the 'ribs' of lighting that will be suspended along the path of the concourses. The lighting and materials will convey the nightlife and feel of Brooklyn. The offering of premium amenities and clubs is quite diverse, with choices for both the general patron and those who want a truly premium experience. Besides the standard-sized luxury suites, there will be loft suites, loge boxes and club seating, each with their own package of amenities.
How is new technology, particularly digital technology, impacting on your ideas?
Digital technology played an important role both in the development of the exterior and interior design. In addition to the dynamic signage of the oculus at the main plaza, the internal entry plaza will use the latest technology to convey sponsorships, information and opportunities to the patrons as they enter the facility. Additionally, the event space and seating bowl are designed so that patrons at the exterior plaza will have a view into the seating bowl through a large corner vomitory and will be able to see the centre-hung scoreboard as they approach the entrance. The digital technology will engage visitors before they even walk through the front door and will offer a truly unique experience.
What are some of the other hot trends shaping stadia and arena design at present?
With the current economic downturn, development of the right mix of premium amenities continues to drive the programmatic elements of arena and stadia design, with more emphasis on engaging the general patron in the opportunity to enjoy these amenities. We are finding more and more past and new clients who want to re-invent the premium mix in their facilities to keep up with the desires of their patrons. What used to be a market focused on premium suites and club seats is now engaged in turning some of that inventory into loge or box seating that can be enjoyed on a per/event basis, along with fan interactive zones. As with Barclays Center, technology will continue to play a large role in how sponsorships and naming rights are promoted, and how facilities service patrons in their seats or at food and beverage opportunities throughout the facility.
Where do you see the most potential going forward?
With many of the professional leagues being built-out in terms of new facilities in the USA, I see a great opportunity on the domestic side for renovating facilities that are anywhere from five to 20 years old in order to keep up with the changing dynamic of the revenue stream, and also with a focus on how they can impact the districts where they reside in terms of serving as catalysts for broader entertainment and retail districts. A perfect example of this is in Minneapolis, where we are working with the Minnesota Timberwolves and government officials to expand on the opportunities at Target Center. With AECOM's presence in emerging markets throughout the world, we also see great opportunities for the development of new sports and entertainment venues in those markets, specifically Asia and the Middle East.
What's your dream project?
I have had many opportunities over the past 18 years on some really important projects that have impacted communities and college campuses. But the Barclays Center at Atlantic Yards is truly a spectacular opportunity to impact the city of Brooklyn and surrounding communities, and in terms of what it offers in arena design, it will raise the bar for state-of-the-art venues.
View Ellerbe Becket's latest projects in the New Projects Pavilion, Stand numbers 1926 and 2024 at Stadia Design & Technology Expo 2011 in Los Angeles on 12-14 April, click here for more information.
Home of the Atlanta Falcons, the NFL's newest stadium, has been recognized as one of the most sustainable venues in the world
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Design and engineering company partners with stadium operators to improve the 24,120-seat venue in line with Premier League standards
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New 10,000-seat hockey arena also features Olympic and NHL facilities, and can host performance events
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Industry experts discuss the future of stadia technology at the AspireTech conference
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Two displays have been installed with a third display on its way to the new facility in Utah.
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Canada's Catharine Pendrel finished sixth Sunday at a UCI World Cup mountain bike race.
The rider from Kamloops, B.C., finished the 25.5-kilometre course in one hour 30 minutes 27 seconds.
France's Julie Bresset took first in 1:29:17.
Marie-Helene Premont of Chateau Richer, Que., finished ninth, two minutes 11 seconds off the pace, while Emily Batty of Brooklin, Ont., was 10th, 2:56 back.
Pendrel fell behind the leaders early and couldn't recover.
"Somedays everything goes perfect, and other days it doesn't," Pendrel said. "I was shocked after the start lap to find out I had lost over 40 seconds. I was able to make it back to third for a while, but I could feel it in my legs on the last lap. This just makes me a little more hungry for the next one."
Bresset took the overall UCI World Cup leader's jersey from Pendrel with the win. Batty was bumped from fourth to fifth, while Premont jumped up to 13th.
In the men's race, Victoria's Max Plaxton was the fastest Canadian, finishing the 29.96-kilometre course in 14th place with a time of 1:29.18.
"I felt great out there," said Plaxton, who recorded his best ever European World Cup result. "I always knew that I had it in me, I just had to put it together. I'm pretty happy with a top-15, but I know that I can do a top-10."
Olympian and seven-time Canadian champion Geoff Kabush of Courtenay, B.C., was 18th.
Nino Schurter of Switzerland topped the podium with a time of 1:26.46.


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I visited the Olive Branch today and was very pleased with the selection of merchandise in the store. The owner very pleasant and concerned as a small business owner that the town is not supporting the local businesses. So everyone that lives in Clarion or passing through, visit the Olive Branch. It has the nice small town warm feeling.
Olive Branch is located at 607 Main St in Clarion and has been in the business of Books, Religious since 1988.
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WASHINGTON -- A divided Supreme Court ruled Thursday that patients in 42 states can demand an unbiased second opinion when their HMO says no to a surgery or treatment.
The court's 5-4 decision was hailed by some as a safety net at a time when Congress remains gridlocked on a patients' rights bill. Others said it only illustrated the need for a national standard.
Justices upheld an Illinois law, like those in the other states, which allows patients to bypass health plan gatekeepers who refuse to pay for procedures.
The ruling could potentially help close to 70 million Americans whose employers buy coverage from health insurance companies.
The Supreme Court said that states, in trying to better arm those patients in their battles with big managed-care companies, did not contradict a confusing federal law.
The case highlighted the conflicts between patient activists who want insurance executives removed from medical decisions and insurance industry leaders who want limits to keep costs under control.
The state laws do nothing for some 60 million people whose employers use self-insured plans, said Ron Pollack of Families USA, a liberal group that has been lobbying for a federal patients' rights bill. "The decisions for them will continue to be made by health plans who will act as the judge, jury and prosecutors in those appeals," he said.
A federal patients' bill of rights would give people in self-insured plans the right to independent review and help people in the eight states without such laws.
Employers and their HMOs had argued that they were not opposed to independent review boards, but wanted one standard instead of the hodgepodge of state laws.
"It's very confusing now for patients, for employers and for anyone who is involved in health care," said Karen Ignagni, president of the American Association of Health Plans, an HMO trade group.
The state laws are intended to let people get second opinions from doctors not affiliated with the HMO, and sometimes force health maintenance organizations to pay up if the independent review shows a surgery or other care is justified.
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Brides Against Breast Cancer Charity Wedding Gown Sale & Bridal Show Whittier, CA
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Brides Against Breast Cancer will host its Charity Wedding Gown Sale and Bridal Show in Whittier California on August 15-16 2014. All Greater Los Angeles area brides and guests to find their perfect gown! Hundreds of both new and worn designer and couture wedding gowns of all styles and sizes will be available from $99 to $3,900, as well as top local vendors in attendance and fun giveaways. Prices listed above reflect an online discount. Tickets at the door will be $10.
Friday, August 15 VIP Reception will be held for brides taste light bites and signature beverages, while enjoying entertainment and giveaways. VIPs also get a first look at the Gown Sale before the dresses are open to general admission. Tickets are on sale now for a $30 tax deductible donation to admit a bride and her guest, while additional guests are welcome for $40 tax deductible donation admits Bride + 1 Guest, Additional Guests $25.
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Matching an electrical switch's acoustic style to the application
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Everyone who drives or has ridden in an automobile is familiar with the sound that automatic door locks make. People are so accustomed to that sound that if it weren't audible and consistent in tone, how would you know that it really locked? In the same way, the switch controls throughout an automobile—from cruise-control buttons to window controls to changing channels on the radio—all feature recognizable sounds which are consistent to that car manufacturer. With respect to these switches, indoor acoustics produce the same kind of expectations from both the brand manufacturer and the consumer.
There are an increasing number of applications where the manufacturer is branding its product by the "feel and sound" of the switch controls. Companies would also like to further brand their product by being able to establish a specific switch sound and feel. The demand for specific sound and continuity of sound is becoming a significant trend, particularly in the automotive industry. This trend is growing within the industrial and medical markets as well, with respect to control panels and monitoring systems.
The familiarity of the sound, the click, and the feel of the switch are now characteristics that can be associated with a specific action. Some products that exhibit a hard actuation and a loud click may be associated with a less insulated, lower cost device, whereas a softer, more-cushioned sounding device might reflect a higher end-quality product. The sound distinction between the door of a truck closing and that of a luxury vehicle door is becoming just as important for some product applications involving switch controls.
Before discussing the mechanics of controlling switch intensity and sound response, it is important to understand why it is important. Today, for a number of reasons, manufacturers (and to some extent, end-users) require that switches produce specific sound effects, in order to match the final application design. Quality of sound and the switch feel are being used to help brand products and help control indoor acoustics. Branding also translates into the reliability of the device, which is becoming a more popular requirement for higher-end products.
One illustration of this is an application where a manufacturer implements a two-switch system to control one circuit. The second switch provides a backup function in the event of a failure in the first switch. In a gearbox application, for example, having two switches controlling one circuit provides the backup and reliability necessary for continuous operation. In the original design, the manufacturer had a difficult time getting the two switches to actuate simultaneously in order to feel like one.
Not only was the tactile feel of the two switches different, but it sounded like the two switches were actuating at different times. To solve this problem, two sound-tunable switches were selected and designed into the application to deaden the sound of the second switch. Thus, the operator would only hear and feel one of the switches, even though two were being actuated. The uniform feel and sound of this two-switch design translated into the desired reliability of the end product and reinforced the manufacturer's initial branding efforts.
As noted above, switch controls can be associated with a brand and/or a particular level of performance. Yet the sound emitted by a switch is determined by the switch design itself and cannot be controlled by the end-user. As a result, manufacturers are requesting that sound requirements be met at the outset of the design.
In many cases, sound-tunable switches and the subsequent technology are derived from existing switch designs. This automatically adds to the reliability of the sound-tunable device. Because of the extended life cycle of many tactile switches (some in the range of one million cycles) developing the sound-tunable aspect of the switch from an existing tactile device allows manufacturers to confirm the reliability of the device, rather than have to predict what it, Figure 1.
Figure 1: C&K Components' KSC ST Series of sound-tunable switches feature life cycles to 1 million rotations
Since the design relies on a proven switch-contact and mechanism, the sound-tunable switches are derived from proven technology and materials, and so provide the necessary reliability for today's high-volume/high-operation applications. In addition to reliability, using parts from an existing design greatly reduces the overall cost of the switch for the manufacturer and, therefore, for the customer.
Since manufacturers are not altering parts that affect overall switch performance, life cycle, or reliability, the actual tuning of switches involves physics and the materials used to attain certain consistent, sound-emitting switch designs. As such, switch manufacturers are studying the effects of using different materials, to where manufacturers have succeeded in getting the device to function as a predictable sound filter. This sound intensity is defined by the correlation between force and travel, and is controlled by the attenuation of the switch. Sound intensity can be described as low (<30 dba)="" and="" high="" (="">60 dBa). In manufacturing, sound intensity is directly linked to the energy created.
In one instance, C&K Components received a request from a customer for a switch that matched indoor acoustics in terms of feel and sound. The switch needed to have a tactile effect, yet the car manufacturer did not want it to make any sound. In this case, the switch was constructed to match the very low sound intensity that was required, Figure 2.
Figure 2: C&K's KSC4D switch is offered with both high and low sound-intensity levels
Sound response, measured in intensity and frequency, is defined by the sound emitted during the actuation of the switch. Sound emission is the combination of sound intensity and sound response. Figure 3 shows the resonance of C&K's KSC ST Series sound-tunable switches by the correlation between intensity and frequency.
Figure 3: The resonance of a sound-tunable switches shown by the correlation between intensity and frequency (here, the C&K's KSC ST Series)
(Click on image to enlarge)
If OEM customers only had a single switch which they required to emit a certain, specific sound, then the process of adding or removing filters to meet sound-intensity levels would be fairly simple. But the trend towards using switch sound to aid branding is growing, and customers are demanding that all switches within the application produce the same sound and feel, in order to complement the rest of the car design.
Whether an array consists of two or twenty switches, this demand is requiring homogeneity across the printed circuit board (PCB). Regardless of PCB or overall product size, there is no limit to the number of switches on the board that must have identical sound. As the size of the switch array increases, it can become increasingly difficult for manufacturers to produce a homogenous sound from switch to switch.
There are several variables that affect the creation of a homogenous sound, including the material of the actuator and its function as a filter. The PCB material on which the switches are mounted will typically be the same thickness throughout, so the variables become the switch materials and the construction of the switch. By equating sound to force and travel, it is possible to measure through mechanical measures whether a switch is actually producing the sound.
Each switch on the board can be measured through its force and travel for the precise sound. In comparison, PBX phone systems of twenty years ago, along with other devices, featured a number of key switches which all felt differently because tactile feel was determined by the spring underneath the switch. Today, through the management of materials and the measurement of force and travel, homogeneity can be achieved.
While meeting all of the demands of sound in terms of intensity and response, switch manufacturers are still required to maintain the integrity and reliability of the switch. To achieve a specified sound response without affecting the mechanical characteristics of the switch is paramount. In addition, cost is always a concern to the end user, so the initial challenge is taken one step further, requiring switch manufacturers to provide a technical solution that offers different sound-intensity responses for the same initial product.
This allows the switch manufacturer to avoid building a completely new product, along with the associated risks and necessary investments. Not only is the inherent reliability of the original switch present in the sound-tunable design, manufacturers are then able to offer the same version of a switch with varying sound-intensity levels.
Matching switch style to the application is more than just the tactile feel. It's matching the sound intensity, response, and emission not only to the application, but also to the end user's corporate-branding strategy as well. While many switch manufacturers are designing sound-tunable switches to meet these demands in the automotive, medical, and industrial industries, there are still challenges for which a good solution has not been found, particularly for those customers who require a specific sound response, in terms of intensity and frequency. While switch manufacturers are working and making significant progress to find a resolution for this design challenge, a definitive solution has yet to be reached.
About the author
Eric Grange has been a Product Manager with C&K Components Corp. for three years, and is based in Dole, France. He was previously employed at Amphenol Corp., where he was a product manager for high-frequency connectors, mobile-phone connectors and antennas for five years. Eric has a MsC inf mechanical engineering and materials.