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Would You Eat a Cheeseburger That Replaces the Bread with More Cheese?
What's better than a bacon cheeseburger? How about one where you replace the bread with more cheese? A website figured out how. They replace the bread with something called "bread cheese."
It's a cheese that's firm enough to stand in for the bread in it seems to hold up when you stack it with burgers, bacon, and more cheese.
I'm a fan of both extra cheese and bread. A while ago, I made this cheeseburger that replaces the standard bun with two grilled cheese sandwiches. Yes. TWO grilled cheese sandwiches to replace the bun… and don't forget to use extra cheese.
I'm biased but I like my concept better. Can you one up me? Post pics of your best takes on the cheeseburger.


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HHTTB Round 3
Eh. Not a jasmine tea I would look forward to drinking again. It has not quite bitter, but just off putting aftertaste. the jasmine isn't very strong, but it's also not very interesting. I didn't feel like this one has the depth of flavor that so many other jasmine teas have. This one is a dud for me.

subset: commoncrawl


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Temporal range: Jurassic - Recent
|Mantophasma zephyrum Zompro et al., 2002
|Scientific classification
Arillo & Engel, 2006
|Subfamilies, tribes
Mantophasmatidae is a family of carnivorous insects within the order Notoptera, which was discovered in Africa in 2001.[2][3] Originally, the group was regarded as an order in its own right, and named Mantophasmatodea, but based on recent evidence indicating a sister group relationship with Grylloblattidae (formerly classified in the order Grylloblattodea),[4][5] Arillo & Engel have combined the two groups into a single order, Notoptera.[1]
The most common vernacular name for this order is gladiators, although they also are called rock crawlers, heelwalkers, mantophasmids, and colloquially, mantos. Their modern centre of endemism is western South Africa and Namibia (Brandberg Massif),[6] although a relict population, and Eocene fossils suggest a wider ancient distribution.
Mantophasmatodea are wingless even as adults, making them relatively difficult to identify. They resemble a mix between praying mantids and phasmids, and molecular evidence indicates that they are most closely related to the equally enigmatic group Grylloblattodea.[4][5] Initially, the gladiators were described from old museum specimens that originally were found in Namibia (Mantophasma zephyrum) and Tanzania (M. subsolanum), and from a 45-million-year-old specimen of Baltic amber (Raptophasma kerneggeri).
Live specimens were found in Namibia by an international expedition in early 2002; Tyrannophasma gladiator was found on the Brandberg Massif, and Mantophasma zephyrum was found on the Erongoberg Massif.[7]
Mantophasmatids are wingless carnivores. They engage in courtship through seismic communication.[8]
The most recent classification[1] recognizes numerous genera, including fossils:
- Basal and incertae sedis
- Genus †Raptophasma Zompro, 2001
- Genus †Adicophasma Engel & Grimaldi, 2004
- Genus †Ensiferophasma Zompro, 2005 (may not belong to Mantophasmatodea)
- Subfamily Tanzaniophasmatinae
- Genus Tanzaniophasma Klass, Picker, Damgaard, van Noort, Tojo, 2003
- Subfamily Mantophasmatinae
- Tribe Tyrannophasmatini
- Genus Praedatophasma Zompro & Adis, 2002
- Genus Tyrannophasma Zompro, 2003
- Tribe Mantophasmatini Zompro, Klass, Kristensen, Adis, 2002 (paraphyletic?)
- Genus Chrisphasmanae Zompro, Klass, Adis, 2001
- Genus Mantophasma Zompro, Klass, Kristensen, Adis, 2002
- Genus Sclerophasma Klass, Picker, Damgaard, van Noort, Tojo, 2003
- Tribe Austrophasmatini Klass, Picker, Damgaard, van Noort, Tojo, 2003
- Genus Viridiphasma Eberhard, Picker, Klass, 2011[9]
- Genus Austrophasma Klass, Picker, Damgaard, van Noort, Tojo, 2003
- Genus Hemilobophasma Klass, Picker, Damgaard, van Noort, Tojo, 2003
- Genus Karoophasma Klass, Picker, Damgaard, van Noort, Tojo, 2003
- Genus Lobatophasma Klass, Picker, Damgaard, van Noort, Tojo, 2003 (formerly Lobophasma)
- At least 3 species of one or more new genera
- Tribe Tyrannophasmatini
Some taxonomists assign full family status to the subfamilies and tribes, and sub-ordinal status to the family.
See also[edit]
- ^ a b c Arillo, A. & M. Engel (2006) Rock Crawlers in Baltic Amber (Notoptera: Mantophasmatodea). American Museum Novitates 3539:1-10
- ^ K.-D. Klass, O. Zompro, N.P. Kristensen, J. Adis. Mantophasmatodea: a new insect order with extant members in the afrotropics Science, 296 (2002), pp. 1456–1459
- ^ Adis, J., O. Zompro, E. Moombolah-Goagoses, and E. Marais. 2002. Gladiators: A new order of insect. Scientific American 287:60-65.
- ^ a b Terry, M.D., and M.F. Whiting. 2005. Mantophasmatodea and phylogeny of the lower neopterous insects. Cladistics 21(3): 240–257.
- ^ a b S. L. Cameron, S. C. Barker & M. F. Whiting (2006). "Mitochondrial genomics and the new insect order Mantophasmatodea". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 38 (1): 274–279. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2005.09.020. PMID 16321547.
- ^ Zompro, O.; Adis, J.; Weitschat, W. 2002. A review of the order Mantophasmatodea (Insecta). Zoologischer Anzeiger 241: 269–279.
- ^ Zompro, O.; Adis, J.; Bragg, P.E.; Naskrecki, P.; Meakin, K.; Wittneben, M.; Saxe, V. (2003). "A new genus and species of Mantophasmatidae (Insecta: Mantophasmatodea) from the Brandberg Massif, Namibia, with notes on behaviour". Cimbebasia. 19: 13–24.
- ^ Randall, J. A. (2014). "Vibrational Communication: Spiders to Kangaroo Rats". Biocommunication of Animals: 103–133.
- ^ Eberhard, MJB, MD Picker and KD Klass. (2011). Sympatry in Mantophasmatodea, with the description of a new species and phylogenetic considerations. Organisms Diversity & Evolution 11(1): 43-59.[1]
External links[edit]
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mantophasmatodea.
|Wikispecies has information related to: Mantophasmatidae


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Rating: Weighted - 8 / Average - 8.0 of 10 (51 votes)
Comments: 0 (show them)
Biography's Source:
Sagan (astronomer / educator / author) was perhaps the world's greatest sponsor for science, reaching millions of people via newspapers, magazines and television, and his many novels. He is well-known for his work on the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning PBS series, Cosmos, that became the most watched series in public-television history. It was seen by more than 500 million people in 60 countries. The accompanying book, also called Cosmos (1980), was on The New York Times bestseller list for 70 weeks and was the best-selling science book ever published in English.
Sagan received a bachelor's degree in 1955 and a master's degree in 1956, both in physics, and a doctorate in astronomy and astrophysics in 1960, all from the University of Chicago. He taught at Harvard University in the early 1960s before coming to Cornell in 1968 and became a full-time professor in 1971. Sagan played a leading role in NASA's Mariner, Viking, Voyager and Galileo expeditions to other planets. He received NASA Medals for Exceptional Scientific Achievement and twice for Distinguished Public Service and the NASA Apollo Achievement Award. His research focused on topics such as the greenhouse effect on Venus; windblown dust as an explanation for the seasonal changes on Mars; organic aerosols on Titan, Saturn's moon; the long-term environmental consequences of nuclear war; and the origin of life on Earth. A pioneer in the field of exobiology, he continued to teach graduate and undergraduate students in astronomy, space sciences and in critical thinking courses at Cornell. Sagan was named Humanist of the Year in 1981 by the American Humanist Association in recognition of his work as an educator, skeptic, activist, and populizer of science.
The scope of his interests were made evident in October 1994, at a Cornell-sponsored symposium in honor of Sagan's 60th birthday. The two-day event featured speakers in areas of planetary exploration, life in the cosmos, science education, public policy and government regulation of science and the environment (all fields in which Sagan had worked or had a strong interest). Sagan was the recipient of numerous of awards in addition to his NASA recognition. He received 22 honorary degrees from American colleges and universities for his contributions to science, literature, education and the preservation of the environment and many awards for his work on the long-term consequences of nuclear war and reversing the nuclear arms race. Among his other awards were: the John F. Kennedy Astronautics Award of the American Astronautical Society; the Explorers Club 75th Anniversary Award; the Konstantin Tsiolkovsky Medal of the Soviet Cosmonauts Federation and the Masursky Award of the American Astronomical Society. He also was the recipient of the Public Welfare Medal, the highest award of the National Academy of Sciences, "for distinguished contributions in the application of science to the public welfare." Sagan was elected chairman of the Division of Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society, president of the Planetology Section of the American Geophysical Union and chairman of the Astronomy Section of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. For 12 years he was editor of Icarus, the leading professional journal devoted to planetary research. He is co-founder of The Planetary Society, a 100,000-member organization and the largest space-interest group in the world. The society supports major research programs in the radio search for extraterrestrial intelligence, the investigation of near-Earth asteroids and, with the French and Russian space agencies, the development and testing of balloon and mobile robotic exploration of Mars. Sagan also was Distinguished Visiting Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California and was contributing editor of Parade magazine, where he published many articles about science and about the disease that he battled for the last two years of his life.
Provided Introduction to:
Quotes: 6 (show them)


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I was looking through the different pictures here on dreamstime the other day, and got to thinking... I like taking pics of sunsets, but mine that are online just are not selling. So I decided to look at some that are. I put sunset in the search box and checked only the levels 3, 4, and 5 boxes. That ended with the pics of sunsets that have been selling the most. WOW!!!! Now I can see why mine are not. Those are some beautiful pics! Anyway, now I have some ideas for my next sunset shots. By using these pics as a reference to what my pics should look like, hopefully I will get better at sunset pics. So, I am just telling all of you, if you have something that you like taking pics of, look at what is selling best in that area first, and then strive to make yours better than the ones online, and they should sell.
Tags: best photography reference sell sunset


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Last week, Sigi Schmid spoke about the importance of having World Cup veterans with Sounders FC – the value of having experience on big stages and what that can bring to Major League Soccer.
"To have experienced players is always important, but players who can still give you quality is what's most important," Schmid said. "They're not going to panic in big games and big situations and they know when it's time to step up and that's something that's really important."
Little did he know, one of those World Cup vets – Gonzalo Pineda – would call on some big-game experience on Saturday in a 2-2 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
In the 2005 Confederations Cup semifinal, Mexico was in a shootout with Argentina after playing 120 minutes to a 1-1 draw. After both teams converted on all of their first four attempts, Pineda stepped to the spot to keep hope alive for Mexico. Rather than blasting a shot in an attempt to beat the goalkeeper to one side or the other, he floated a ball down the middle to score for Mexico. He used the same technique in the 2007 CONCACAF Champions League final while playing with Chivas de Guadalajara.
On Saturday, he went to that bag of tricks again when Sounders FC needed a goal after falling behind 2-1 and drawing a penalty in the final minutes of the match, scoring on a 'panenka' (named for the Czechoslovakian midfielder Antonin Panenka who made the technique famous in the 1976 European Championships) to give Seattle the 2-2 draw.
"I was just filled with confidence and I knew it was my time, so I took it. My only purpose was to score and that was all that mattered, no matter how," Pineda said. "It was good for the team because we got one point with that goal."
That confidence has been building for Pineda. A year ago, he was unsure what his future would hold when he underwent sports hernia surgery. The long road to recovery made his soccer career even more uncertain, but an opportunity arose with Sounders FC and he has grasped it with both hands, coming to the club in the preseason and earning a contract through his play as well as his quick chemistry with his new team.
Although he wasn't at 100-percent yet, he could clearly make an impact in Seattle's midfield.
"Once we were able to get him in and around the team and gauge his personality, we thought it was a fit on a lot of levels," Schmid said. "From a standpoint of what he's contributed on the field, he's been a real positive and probably has exceeded what we'd expected."
Making such an impact so early in his time with Seattle wasn't just a surprise to Schmid. Pineda himself thought it would take longer for him to acclimate to the new club and the new league, as well as getting his family adjusted to living in America.
However, he has one goal and four assists while starting in 11 of Seattle's 13 matches and his family has quickly come to love Seattle.
"It's a surprise to me. It was almost one year without a game and I thought it might take two months to be ready on the fitness part and on the soccer part. That takes some time," Pineda said. "It's a surprise to me that my body has a good memory and that came to me in the early part of the season. It was very helpful, the confidence from the coaches and my teammates."


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Network Management | Firewall
Network Management tools and applications monitor an organization's computer networks and effectively manage, control, and protect its IT assets. Product examples include:
- Network management systems;
- Firewall hardware and software;
- Switches; and
- Virtual machines.
How to Order
Order Network Management products at GSA Advantage to search for specific products and services, and specific categories shown in the navigation menus and SmartBUY to pay less for software and supporting services:
- Intrusion Detection
- Intrusion Prevention
- Managed Firewall
- Managed Tiered Security
- Network Management Software (SmartBUY)
Use GSA's existing vehicles to order products and services so your agency can buy IT security solutions more efficiently and economically.
NIST Control Family
Network Management falls under NIST SP 800-53 control family: Systems and Communications Protection (SC).


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Pass protection is a deep and varied subject, but at least a little can be said to understand the very high-level basics of how the pass rush/pass protection chess match plays out on a given play. Essentially, there are two types of protection schemes: (1) area or zone schemes, and (2) man schemes. Some protections blend these two approaches, either explicitly or implicitly.
(1) Area Schemes: An area scheme is where a group of blockers set up in a given area and then sort and pick-up whatever "trash" comes through. For example, if the center, guard, and tackle are responsible for one side of the protection, and the defense crosses and twists a couple defensive linemen and a linebacker, the blockers will take the one that enters their area. This is probably the soundest "protect-first" approach, and good teamwork will allow the line to deal with defensive creativity with a simple sound approach.
Problems with area schemes arise when you introduce runningbacks, tight ends, or H-backs into the equation. The problem is twofold:
(a) An area scheme could leave you with a terrible match-up, such as a runningback on a defensive end (or Lawrence Taylor).
(b) An area-assigned protector who is also a skill player (like a tight end, H-back, or runningback) has a difficult time releasing into the route if the defense does not blitz. So any of those skill players who you have assigned to an area scheme likely will not get out into the route, and you might only have three receivers trying to get open against seven pass defenders. For example, see the diagram below, where the tight-end and runningback (both skill players and potential receivers) end up in the pass route while the center and right-tackle end up blocking no one at all.
More specifically, the guard, tackle, and Y (TE) are playing an area scheme, making them responsible for the defensive tackle, the defensive end, and the stronside linebacker (Sam or "S"). Although we could handle a stunt or twist, with the middle and strongside linebackers dropping into coverage the tight-end and potentially the runningback have to protect, while interior linemen block no one. Indeed, the tight-end ends up blocking the defensive end, a potential mismatch. There are ways around this problem, but it is a definitely concern.
The most common "area" protection is slide or "gap" protection, where the line all slides to a gap. More on this in a moment.
(2) Man Schemes: The offensive front identifies their counterparts on defense and blocks them where they go. This is not an absolute "man scheme" — typically linemen will still employ a modified area scheme (where they will trade defenders who twist) while running backs, because they are set back further away from the line, can go where their counterpart goes easier than a lineman. But the principle is that each player has to win his own personal one-on-one matchup. In the diagram below, the runningback is assigned to the Weak ("W") linebacker on a "man" principle. Wherever he goes, he is responsible for blocking him. If Will does not rush, the RB will release into the pass route. Similarly, H is responsible for the Strongside linebacker ("S"), and if he does not rush, then H will release into the route.
Man blocking seeks to eliminate the problems we identified with area schemes: as in the diagram above, a "BOB" approach – short for "Big on Big" and "Back on Backer." The idea is that the linemen will take the big defensive linemen (who also tend to rush the passer on most plays), while the runningbacks or H-Backs will block the linebackers, who are both more their size and less likely to rush the passer than a defensive lineman. So you avoid both area scheme problems: the matchups should be better for the offense and, if the defense only rushes three or four, your skill guys can still get out into the route.
(3) Combo protection: An extremely common protection is to area block one side of the line and man block the other side, typically the side with the runningback. There is some dissension among coaches, but my view is that almost all six-man protections end up with something similar to this concept, whether they do it explicitly (as I advocate) or implicitly, as others do. The idea is that most teams find it advantageous to teach their linemen to area block stunts and twists, so you wind up with a combo concept. In any event, combination protection employs my preferred form of "area" or "zone" protection, which is the "slide" or "gap" protection mentioned earlier. Each area-blocker "slides" to the gap away from the callside. I advocate a "full-slide" for many quick game routes, but below is the half-slide, which is the most useful and versatile protection I'm aware of.
The base rules for this protection are as follows: Linemen to the callside (i.e. where the runner is going) block the defender over them until the first bubble (i.e. the first uncovered linemen, though the term "bubble" helps prevent against confusion due defensive players stunting). In the diagram above the first uncovered lineman is the center. From the uncovered bubble to the backside the other will linemen will all slide away from the callside to that gap, and will "pick up trash". For example, versus a standard four man front, with the center uncovered, the center, backside guard and tackle will slide that way. The playside guard and tackle will block man on. The runningback blocks the linebackers inside to out, from the bubble to outside rusher (or, put in jargon terms, "Mike to Sam"). If those guys don't rush the runner releases.
This last bit is another important protection concept: the dual-read. The dual-read is simply where a single blocker is responsible for two-men: if one rushes, he gets blocked; if one doesn't rush and two rushes, the blocker must wheel out and block them; but if they both rush, the blocker takes the most urgent threat (the inside blitzer) but the quarterback must know he has to throw hot or throw it away (or run like hell). For a runningback, this is actually not too difficult to read because, being in the backfield, he can see all of it happen. In the 1980s and for much of the 1990s, however, it was common to also have linemen — typically the guard — also dual read, but the practice has significantly died out due to the difficulties presented as a result of the zone blitz and increased athleticism of defenders.
Of course, for pass protection to work the burden cannot solely be laid at the feet of the offensive linemen. Most — if not almost all — are the quarterback's fault, as the ball must be gone on time or else the rate of sacks skyrockets. Moreover, coaches must be intelligent in how they call a game with respect to the pass rush: If all an offensive coordinator calls are dropback passes, then the defense is essentially taking target practice at a stationary target. The trick is instead to use roll-out passes, screens, quick passes, draws, traps, and various play-actions, in addition to traditional dropbacks, to put the quarterback and linemen in position to succeed.
Additional reading:
– Vertical set pass protection.
– Pass protection fundamentals.


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Lebanon Arrests State Employee for Spying for Mossad
Lebanon has arrested a second employee of the state-owned mobile telecom Alfa on suspicion of spying for Israel.
The suspect, Tareq Raba, was described as a transmissions engineer who was "more dangerous" than Charbel Qazzi, a telecom technician who was arrested last month, Lebanese security sources said yesterday. If convicted, both men could face the death penalty.
The sources said Raba had been an Alfa employee since 1996 and began working for Israeli intelligence in 2001. He would leave Lebanon twice a month and return every time with at least $10,000 in cash, they said.
The arrests are part of a broad espionage investigation, which has led to more than 50 arrests since April of last year.
Israel has not commented on the arrests.
Lebanon said the arrests were a major blow to Israel's intelligence gathering, and that suspects helped identify targets in Lebanon that Israel bombed during its 2006 war with the militant group Hezbollah.
The Lebanese newspaper Al-Safir reported that Raba, 40, had access to the company's most confidential technical details, including the location of its transmitters.
Lebanese intelligence sources refused to say whether Raba's arrest was a result of Qazzi's interrogation, but said Qazzi had provided Israel with access to all the company's departments. This enabled Israeli intelligence to monitor mobile phone users and trace them, Al-Safir said.
Qazzi also enabled his Israeli operators to insert viruses into Lebanon's communication systems and paralyze them at will or delete entire files.
Qazzi's arrest last month sent shock waves through Lebanon, as the owners of the country's telecom companies are said to be closely connected to the government. The arrest prompted a debate on how deeply Israel had infiltrated the country's telecoms and security sectors.
President Michel Suleiman, who under Lebanese law must sign a death sentence before it is carried out, has called for severe punishment for spies. The cabinet also agreed that death sentences should be handed down for anyone spying for Israel.
Defense Minister Elias Murr confirmed "a new arrest" at a cabinet meeting late Wednesday, State Minister Jean Ogassapian told reporters in response to a question.
In a television interview yesterday, Telecommunications Minister Charbel Nahhas said there was a "high probability of a crack" in Lebanon's telecom network.
"The ministry is setting up a preliminary safety network to lock the doors that may have been leaking information," he added. Qazzi is charged with "entering enemy territory, collaborating with Israel and providing it with information."
Lebanon has arrested dozens of people on suspicion of spying for Israel, including security officials, since it launched its crackdown in April 2009.
Two Lebanese citizens have since been sentenced to death for "collaborating with Israel and providing information on targets" inside Lebanon. In June last year Lebanon complained to the UN of Israel's intelligence operations and said it had arrested 35 Lebanese and Palestinian members of an Israeli spy ring.
"Israel is setting up terror cells that operate independently in Lebanon, carrying out terror acts and surveilling people and facilities for gathering sensitive information," Lebanon's UN ambassador wrote to the institution's secretary general at the time.
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Alternative Title: Geechee
Learn about this topic in these articles:
production of sweetgrass baskets
Many of the contemporary basket makers are members of the Gullah community, a group descended from former slaves who established themselves on the Sea Islands off the coasts of South Carolina and Georgia. The numbers of producers are dwindling, however, and materials are growing difficult to find.
significance in Hilton Head Island
...grew rich. Meanwhile, the island's black population, brought to the island to work the plantations, contributed to the development of the region's creole language and culture that came to be called Gullah. In 1861 Union forces attacked and occupied the island, which was then used as a fueling station for ships blockading the Confederate coast during the American Civil War.
use of Gullah language
English-based creole vernacular spoken primarily by African Americans living on the seaboard of South Carolina and Georgia (U.S.), who are also culturally identified as Gullahs or Geechees. Gullah developed in rice fields during the 18th century as a result of contact between colonial varieties of English and the languages of African slaves....


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Garth Brooks Plays A Benefit, Brad Paisley Meets Santa – Today In Country Music History
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood began a series of benefit concerts on this date in 2010, Lady Antebellum earned a platinum single in 2009 and Little Jimmie Dickens dressed up as Santa Claus to invite Brad Paisley to become a Grand Ole Opry member in 2000.
Here's the list for Today In Country Music History for 16 December, 2011.
- Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood performed the first two of nine concerts at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, joined by unannounced guest Steve Wariner, in 2010. The shows raised $3.5 million for flood relief.
- Lady Antebellum earned a platinum single for "Need You Now" in 2009.
- Rascal Flatts' "My Wish" topped the Billboard country chart in 2006.
- George Strait's 50 Number Ones became the third quintuple-platinum album of his career in 2004.
- Shania Twain's Greatest Hits was certified triple-platinum in 2004.
- Brad Paisley was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry by Little Jimmy Dickens and Jeannie Sealy, dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus in 2000.
- Tim McGraw claimed the Number One spot on the Billboard chart with "My Next Thirty Years" in 2000.
- The Trisha Yearwood album (Songbook) A Collection Of Hits went double platinum in 1997.
- Kenny Rogers' single "The Gambler" went to Number One in 1978.
Not near a Radio? Click here to listen to Lonestar 102.3 online.
Dave D.


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Update: Innovation Awards distributed to Winning Institutions
On Monday, April 27th, the Committee on Awards for Innovation in Higher Education had its final meeting where the members unanimously approved the expenditure plans for the 14 winning colleges, which includes 1 UC, 7 CSUs and 6 community colleges.[1] (Photos below.) By way of keeping the process transparent, the Department of Finance provided…
Educating Julio: Identifying & Addressing Community Colleges' 'Unmet Need'
Our report, Educating Julio, examines strategies for growing our community college enrollment and describes some of the dynamics of community college enrollment that underlie the debate about how "unmet need" should be defined, identified, and addressed.
Charting a Course for California's Colleges: State Leadership in Higher Education
Despite its vast higher education system, California stands out as one of only two states without comprehensive oversight or coordination of higher education. Our new report, "Charting a Course for California's Colleges: State Leadership in Higher Education," examines how California and states across the nation guide and coordinate their postsecondary systems, offering lessons for California.
One Response to Charting a Course for California's Colleges: State Leadership in Higher Education
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Community College Participation
California Competes conducted an analysis of where students live and found that many areas of the state that could benefit – where few adults have college degrees – are not being reached. Participation is often low where it should be high. An interactive online map paints the picture, showing community college participation for 1700 zip code areas and allows users to examine community college enrollment by indicators of need.
Examples of decision-making confusion
California's community colleges are burdened by an only-in-California decision-making structure that thwarts rather than values leadership and collaboration. Here, we've launched a series of blog posts about how this broken decision-making structure is undermining higher education in California, and how the problem can be fixed.
Stories of Unfortunate Dysfunction
A well-functioning community college is one of the best ways to help students succeed by providing access to degrees and technical credentials that are crucial in today's economy. But right now, California's community colleges are burdened by an only-in-California decision-making structure that thwarts rather than values leadership and collaboration. Here, we've launched a series of […]
California Competes speaks at ACCCA Annual Conference
Robert Shireman was a keynote speaker at the annual conference of The Association of California Community College Administrators. He addressed issues relating to "faculty primacy" and spoke to the confusion around Academic Senate "10+1 academic and professional matters." View the 10+1 myths
At California Community Colleges, 10+1>11
Ask faculty members in an academic senate what is the most important legislation in California community college history, and they will answer with no hesitation: AB 1725, enacted by the legislature and signed by Governor George Deukmejian in 1988. In their eyes, the bill gave them the right to establish policies on a list of […]
We respond to Chancellor Harris' refusal to address broken decision-making at California Community Colleges
On December 12, 2012, California Competes filed L.C. 1 – a legal challenge with the California Community College (CCC) Board of Governors seeking to repair the broken decision-making process at the 112 local colleges in the system. The challenge sought to clarify that locally-elected community college trustees are ultimately responsible for the operation of the […]
'Faculty Primacy' at the Expense of Student Success
Upon the occasion of his retirement in 2007, a City College of San Francisco vice chancellor was honored in a resolution enacted unanimously by the academic senate. The proclamation commended him for his 25 years of outstanding service as an instructor. It also chronicled his "achievements that helped reshape City College and prepare it for […]
The Missing Signature at Modesto Junior College
The signature page of the new governance handbook at Modesto Junior College tells the whole story. Engaging All Voices, which lays out a process for ensuring broad input into major policy decisions at the college, is signed by the student government representative; it is signed by the staff council and by the heads of two […]
Only in California: The Academic Senate Filibuster
The Academic Senate at El Camino College, near Los Angeles, couldn't take feeling slighted any longer. Over the objections of the Senate, the community college's vice president had eliminated the study-abroad program to address budget shortfalls. He'd also cut out winter session online classes. To add insult to injury, some of the snubs had no […]
EdSource article explains our legal challenge
Leaders agree that changes are needed to fix regulations that invite discord. "Robert Shireman, executive director of California Competes, blamed the regulation, which he alleged gives excessive power to academic senates representing faculty on individual campuses, for contributing to a host of problems, including preventing colleges from graduating enough students to meet the state's higher […]
California Competes files a legal challenge that will help improve California Community Colleges
California Competes filed a legal challenge with the California Community College (CCC) Board of Governors asserting that the regulations that provide veto power to academic senates are invalid, illegal and should be reversed. Our legal challenge calls for CCCs to repair the broken decision-making system in California's community colleges by restoring a clear line of […]
How the academic senate can help save CCSF
Bob Shireman addressed the CCSF faculty to urge them to make it possible to hold trustees fully accountable. His statement shows that the regulations that grant veto power to academic senates: plainly conflict with AB 1725 and other provisions of law; are contrary to accreditor and professional standards; disempower students, staff and the community; disenfranchise […]
CCSF: financial woes and structural causes laid bare by FCMAT report
A report by the Fiscal Crisis and Management Team, a state agency tasked with assisting public colleges and schools through fiscal crises, released a 150-page report warning that CCSF is in "a perilous financial position": "Under this organizational and cultural model there is no responsibility or accountability because it is often unclear how or by […]
Flowchart: how decisions are made (and not made) at California community colleges
In a San Francisco Chronicle commentary, Bob Shireman explains how an obscure rule adopted 22 years ago leads to community colleges that too often cannot adapt to reduced budgets and to the changing needs of the state. The flowchart below gives a detailed look at the mandated faculty primacy process the state currently imposes on […]
Bob Shireman testifies at Little Hoover Commission hearing on the re-imagining of California's system of higher education
August 28, 2012 Bob Shireman laid out California Competes' recommendations around enhancing accountability and creating a Higher Education Investment Board at the Little Hoover Commission's public hearing on the issues facing California's higher education system. Read Bob Shireman's testimony
CSAC responds to "The Road Ahead"
In a letter to California Competes, Executive Director Diana Fuentes-Michel of the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) mentioned that CSAC is aligned with many of the California Competes report's core priorities but believes that some of the implementation, as proposed, is flawed.
Read CSAC's full letter
The Road Ahead:
Higher education, California's promise, and our future economy
California Competes is pleased to share with you our new report, The Road Ahead: Higher education, California's promise, and our future economy
Download the Full Report (pdf)
Executive Summary (pdf)
Press Release: California Competes calls for 2.3 million more completions by 2025
For Release: June 7, 2012 California Competes is pleased to share with you our Council's report, The Road Ahead: Higher Education, California's Promise, and Our Future Economy. Before reading the report, take a look at our Press Release
Campaign for College Opportunity new report demonstrates the economic payoff of investing in higher ed
The Campaign's news report shows that for every $1 California invests in public higher education, the state will reap $4.50 from taxes on the increased earnings of college graduates and lower costs for providing other state safety net services and incarceration. That's a net return of 450 percent! Check out the key findings Check out […]
2025 California Goal Dashboard
Interactive California Student Flow Model (Flash) This interactive dashboard allows you to see how California's production of college degrees changes with changes in the distribution of students by sector, improvements in graduation rates, and other factors.
Bob Shireman pushes for quality at California Student Aid Commission public hearing
February 23, 2012 The California Student Aid Commission held a public hearing on whether their grants should cover all colleges' online degree programs. In Shireman's testimony, he makes the case that the Commission should be concerned about quality at all types of colleges, not just in online programs. See his full tesimony here
Lande Ajose discusses the "new normal" at a joint legislative hearing on higher education
February 1, 2012 At a time when California needs to make choices about its priorities, Lande points to some of the steps that must be taken to ensure that our institutions of higher education are improving their effectiveness. See her written public comment here See a video of her public comment here
Little Hoover Commission Calls for Focus on Student Outcomes at Community Colleges
February 28, 2012 The Little Hoover Commission on Tuesday urged the Governor and the Legislature to refocus the mission of the community colleges to align policies and resources around fostering student achievement in three core areas: basic skills education, career technical education and preparation for transfer to four-year universities. The Commission also called for the […]
California Competes cited in Mercury News Op-Ed on CA Master Plan for Higher Education
"By 2025, California Competes estimates that our higher education system will need to produce an additional 2.4 million bachelor's degrees, associate's degrees, and industry-relevant credentials above current projections for the state to remain a leader within the United States and be competitive on the global stage." California Competes was pleased to support the California State […]
We promise kids they can get a public college education if they work hard. Are we lying?
This Op-Ed originally appeared in the Sacramento Bee on November 16, 2017. By Ted Lempert and Lenny Mendonca California's higher education system is about to be hit by a tidal wave of new students, and we have failed to prepare for the influx into our public colleges and universities. In April, state Superintendent of Public […]
California colleges are turning away students. It's time to rethink funding for UC and CSU
This Op-Ed originally appeared in the Sacramento Bee, September 26, 2017 By Russell S. Gould and Elizabeth Hill Thanks to our parents' and grandparents' generations, when we were growing up in California we knew that if we did the work in high school there was a place for us in the University of California or the […]
Lande Ajose testifies at Assembly Select Committee on the Master Plan hearing
On Wednesday November 1, 2017, Dr. Ajose testified at the second of five hearings convened by the Assembly Select Committee on the Master Plan for Higher Education in California. She discussed the state's looming 2.4 million degree gap and its implications for a thriving California workforce. Read Dr. Ajose's testimony here. View Dr. Ajose's presentation here. Read […]
College access: Tuition only part of story
"If our goal is to ensure that all California students now and in the future have access to an affordable, quality college education, then our public policy makers and higher education leaders must build a shared vision of this issue and find practical ways to solve it. We know that this is a long-term problem that will require a multiyear solution, but we also must realize that we have no time to waste."
— An Op-Ed by Julia I. Lopez and Mike Roos
Report Finds Degree Gap in California Has Grown to 2.4 Million by 2025
"California is in trouble" said Lande Ajose, Director of California Competes. "When the master plan was enacted, the state made a promise to 'guarantee educational access for all.' While students may have access, that access is not translating into equitable outcomes. That has implications not only for the state's long term economic prospects but also for creating a coherent social fabric. You can't have strong and vibrant democracy when you have disparate higher education outcomes whose results reinforce broader social inequalities."
Click image to view our digital report.
Mind the Gap: Delivering on California's Promise for Higher Education
In 2012 California Competes called for the state to articulate specific degree attainment goals to advance our regional economies and local communities. In this new report, Mind the Gap: Delivering on California's Promise for Higher Education, California Competes finds that the state now faces a degree attainment gap of 2.4 million by 2025. This figure, which […]
New Executive Director at California Competes
Things are busy here at California Competes! After five years of leading the charge to improve California's higher education system, Executive Director Bob Shireman is leaving California Competes to become part of the education team at The Century Foundation. (See the announcement here).
"I'm proud of all we've been able to accomplish during my time here," said Shireman. "We shaped the community college growth funding formula, elevated the need for greater statewide coordination of higher education, restored some state oversight of private institutions, and won public access to accreditation reports. I'm leaving behind a great team that will continue to push the state to find ways to improve higher education access and outcomes."
Adding Seats Where Access Is Needed Most
Last year's state budget called for a revised approach to distributing new growth in California's community colleges. Designed to address problems in the old formula, the new legislation bases funding for growth on two main factors: (1) unmet need within the geographic boundaries of a district, and (2) the effectiveness of a district's colleges in […]
Prize Money for California Colleges to Think Different(ly)
California is putting up $50 million in prize money for creative ideas aimed at improving transfer and increasing bachelor degree attainment at the state's public universities and community colleges. To prompt discussion of possible innovations and to encourage colleges to use this opportunity to think creatively, on Facebook and Twitter we will be sharing a wide variety of ideas.
Update: Charting a Course for Coordination, Oversight and Accountability
There has been some movement in our efforts to promote greater statewide coordination as envisioned in The Road Ahead when AB 1348, sponsored by Speaker Emeritus Pérez, cleared the Senate Education Committee on a bipartisan 6-0 vote on June 25. The bill would replace the defunded California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) and create an oversight […]
Update: Educating Julio and Unmet Need
Incentives for community colleges to reach out to the poor, and to serve them well. Our report, Educating Julio, explained how the community college system selects the students who will be served not only by which districts are allowed to grow their enrollment, but also by which courses and programs the colleges decide to offer, […]
Making Accreditation Documents Publicly Available
States and the federal government rely heavily on accrediting agencies to make judgments about whether colleges and universities have the appropriate expertise, resources, and systems to provide quality educational programs. Institutions gain access to billions of dollars in state and federal funding by virtue of securing and maintaining accreditation. The public's ability to monitor the […]
Contemplating College Affordability
Few question the critical role that college affordability plays in promoting or inhibiting college access and success. Whether a student's college choice is affordable can make the difference between whether the student attends or not, and whether he or she completes. To try to make the concept of affordability more concrete, we have built a calculator that provides students with useful (even if not simple) information about the affordability of their college choices, incorporating as many factors as we could.
Lande Ajose testifies at Senate Education & Budget joint hearing on accountability in higher ed
Dr. Ajose testified at a Senate Education and Budget joint hearing on accountability for postsecondary education performance which provided a framework for informing state budget and policy to meet public needs. She presented the breakdown of California's degree attainment gap by race and region and spoke on these issues from a workforce perspective.
2 Responses to Lande Ajose testifies at Senate Education & Budget joint hearing on accountability in higher ed
Charles Hatcher discusses persistence and graduation rates for Pell grant recipients at UCs
In an effort to better understand persistence and graduation rates for Pell grant recipients, California Competes has partnered with the University of California's Office of the President to analyze persistence and completion rates of the 37,461 freshmen who entered the UC system in the fall of 2006.
One Response to Charles Hatcher discusses persistence and graduation rates for Pell grant recipients at UCs
- Stephen said: . good.
Assembly Higher Education Committee hearing on streamlining transfer in public higher education
Today Dr. Ajose testified at the Assembly Higher Education Committee's hearing on streamlining transfer in public higher education. She discussed the need for more coordinated leadership in higher education, and previewed our upcoming analysis of how community college enrollment varies across the state.
Governance that works
While management dysfunction is too common at California's community colleges, not every college has fallen victim to the confusion created by the state Board of Governors. A number of colleges have instead established shared governance structures that are modeled on successful approaches at other colleges and universities in California and across the country. Here are three examples.
Patterns of Participation: California's Community Colleges
This presentation shows community college participation by place and includes participation snapshots of regions across the state.
President Obama should use student feedback as part of college rating system
Speaking at this week's Association of Community Colleges Trustees conference in Seattle, Bob Shireman suggested that the federal government consider surveying students directly as part of its plan to provide consumers with better information about colleges…
One Response to President Obama should use student feedback as part of college rating system
- How Best to Assess? | EDU-Grid said: […] Considering the tools that exist now, Shireman said, his best suggestion for improving outcomes assessment is that the Department of Education use the email addresses of everyone who has applied for federal financial aid to survey current and former students about their experiences in college. (Shireman has already broached this idea elsewhere.) […]
Bob Shireman speaks at Community College Business Officers' Annual International Conference
Bob Shireman was the keynote speaker at the 2013 Community College Business Officers' annual conference where he provided examples of how improving higher education takes more than slogans and quick fixes but instead requires digging into the policy details. He discussed our work on college enrollment by zip code across the state, the need for […]
Protected: Test: Our college grad map of California shows college degrees by zip code
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Our college grad map of California shows college degrees by zip code
Take a look at our college degree map of California which shows college attainment numbers across the state and breaks down attainment by zip code area. Based on recent census data, the map shows the proportion of the population 18 years old and above with an associate's degree or higher.
Beyond the headline: Opening up the dialogue about California Community Colleges
Read Lande's blog post looking at Washington Monthly's article about continuing management dysfunction at California's community colleges which leaves no one accountable for decision making, and why fixing this dysfunction might not be enough.
Diversity in the Health Care Professions
Read Lande's blog post which describes how community colleges can play a key role in diversifying the country's health care professions and raises the question of cost in relation to the for-profit sector's rapidly growing health degree market.
Bob Shireman speaks at National Journal event on "The New Knowledge Economy"
Bob Shireman was the keynote speaker at National Journal's event on "The New Knowledge Economy". Listen to his remarks on the future of higher education and why MOOCs and other online alternatives aren't a panacea for increasing degree attainment.
New Metrics for California Higher Education
Governor Brown's proposed budget in 2013 included the idea of tying increases in funding for the two public four-year university systems to performance targets. Under his original plan, the University of California (UC), with its nine undergraduate campuses and 184,000 students, and the California State University (CSU), with its 23 campuses and 308,000 undergraduates…
Governor Brown's Performance Targets for UC and CSU
Governor Brown's Department of Finance in April presented the first draft of performance targets for the state's public four-year universities, tied to budget increases.
Lande Ajose speaks at California Wellness Foundation health professions conference
Lande Ajose was a plenary speaker at the California Wellness Foundation's conference on increasing diversity in the health professions. Lande's remarks focused on the low degree attainment rates for African American and Latino students, specifically within the health education pipeline, and the burgeoning for-profit health degree market. Additionally, Lande pointed out ways to improve California's […]
Why Arguments Blow Up Instead of Blow Over
There is no surer way to turn two siblings against each other than to tell both of them they are in charge. That truism is the best explanation for the epidemic of dysfunction at community colleges in California, where conflicting laws mean any disagreement can ignite a war.
Looking for a Villain
Unfortunately, things aren't looking so good for City College of San Francisco (CCSF). The college's accreditor, frustrated that the college had not been attentive to problems it had been pointing out for years, set a March 15 deadline for CCSF to make the needed changes. Or else. If the college does not submit an adequate […]
San Francisco Chronicle Op-Ed on CCSF governance
Read Bob Shireman's latest op-ed on CCSF's continuing struggle to make the changes it needs to keep its accreditation and stay open in the face of a looming deadline. Read the op-ed
Protected: Webinar: Repairing Broken Decision-Making at California Community Colleges
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The Need for Coordinated Leadership
This brief argues for a Higher Education Investment Board – an independent Board incorporating the responsibilities of the California Student Aid Commission and developing information to assist policymakers and consumers in making wise choices.
Clear Accountability: Student Success as a System Priority
This brief shows that establishing California Community Colleges as an independent and autonomous entity can help California toward its goal of graduating more students on time with the skills they need for good jobs.
Credential Crunch:
How to Regain California's Economic Standing
This brief lays out how California can get to its goal of 5.5 million additional graduates by 2025 while ensuring that degrees and certificates conferred are meaningful. Download Credential Crunch
Bob Shireman Discusses California and U.S. Goals for Degree Attainment, 2012-2025
February 22, 2012 CSU Fullerton held a symposium about the evolving future and rising costs of higher education. At this symposium, Bob Shireman discusses California's need to reboot our expectations around higher education and argues for certain actionable policies to get our state back on track. See a transcript of his speech And watch the […]
Student Success Task Force Recommendations
The Student Success Task Force is examining best practices and effective models within higher education throughout the nation to improve educational achievements in California. Below is an overview and the full recommendations. California Community Colleges Student Success Task Force Draft Recommendations At A Glance (PDF) Student Success Task Force Draft Recommendations Overview (PDF) Read the […]
Press Release: Business Executives and Mayors to Focus on California's Economy and Lack of Skilled Grads
For release June 22, 2011 Contact: Remmert Dekker (415) 343-0830 To view the full press release, click here. To view a list of our council members, click here.
Regional Jobs & Education Data
These presentations provide region-by-region information on adult educational attainment, earnings and growth by occupation and educational background, and the characteristics of the education pipeline. All files are in powerpoint (.ppt) format. Bay Area Central Coast Central Sierra Inland Empire Los Angeles Northern California Orange County Sacramento Tahoe San Diego Imperial County San Joaquin […]
Other Policy Reports and Resources
American RadioWorks: Some College, No Degree Radio segment discussing why so many Americans drop out of college, and what to do about it. Listen here (mp3) California Legislative Analyst Several policy background reports, including a Primer and a "Master Plan at 50″ series. CCLC recommendations Community College League of California report of the Commission on […]


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Just how much did Verizon's launch of the iPhone impact AT&T? Try a 12.7 percent bite into AT&T's market share in the first month of Verizon having the phone.
Venturebeat reports that Verizon sold enough iPhones in just one month to reach double digits in the iPhone market share.
AT&T still controls more than 86 percent of the market but the speed that Verizon was able to make the leap could impact AT&T's future offerings to its current AT&T customers.
This despite reports that AT&T's iPhone smokes Verizon's version in several performance tests.
Venturebeat's numbers are based on a report by mobile ad agency Chitika, which can track the number of AT&T and Verizon devices registering on its network.
Published at 2:41 PM PDT on Mar 16, 2011 | Updated at 5:32 AM PDT on May 5, 2011


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Backup to NTFS USB Volume (Bad Idea?)
Recently migrated a Windows 2008 File Server to FreeNAS 0.7.2. For the last several years we have backed up this 2008 file server onto a pair of USB 3TB external drives.
The data is now all migrated over to the FreeNAS (freenas is using UFS) and we need to schedule nightly backups. All the data (up until the migration) is backed up already and I'd rather not spend several days backing it all up again.
Can I just use rsync to backup the incremental changes to our existing NTFS USB drives or do I have to wipe the backups and create new backups using a different file-system?
It's been a few years since I checked up on ntfs-3g and back then it was only for experimental use and prone to corruption. Is this still the case or has NTFS support in Unix/Linux matured to the point where it could be used in a production environment?
Just hoping to get some expert recommendations. Thanks!
Hi there,
Besides, what's the point of using an alien file system in a Linux-based system? That's not something I'd recommend.
Just my 2 cents.
[X] Doc CPU
if it is a windows server then i WOULD use Microsoft tools to back up a Microsoft OS
the linux ntfs-3g would work
but this IS Microsoft here so use their tools to back up their os
Please re-read my original post because I don't know how I can explain it any clearer. This is backup data from a server that USED to be 2008 server and is now a UNIX server. It doesn't make sense to us to delete 6000 GB of backup data just so we can re back it all up in a UNIX format.
Is there any intrinsic risk in leaving the existing backup drives as NTFS (and backing up the delta --in other words, the data added to the new server since the migration was completed) with all the existing backup data.
Data is just data. You can always mount it and copy it - as you have already done apparently. You might lose some attributes along the way, but in that situation, who cares.
The big flaw in your scenario IMHO is the premise that you only need one backup.
I'm closing this thread and I'll just post a question on the FreeNAS board
|All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:08 AM.


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August 6th 2007 - Year 2006 was particularly rich in Art robberies (remember the cases concerning Munch's Madonna, or the Goya's painting stolen in the United States). Now, French authorities have informed about an important Art robbery in the Museum of Art in Nice, Southern France, where a group of raiders have stolen four "invaluable" works: two paintings by Flemish master Jan Brueghel ("Allegory of earth" and "Allegory of water"), and two impressionist works by Claude Monet ("Cliffs in Dieppe") and Alfred Sisley ("Line of poplars in Moret")
In addition to the eclectic taste showed by the raiders, it's notable that the works had been stolen on Sunday, when entry was free to the public, and therefore the number of visitors in the Museum was quite high.
The Museum of Fine Arts in Nice suffered another robbery in 1998, also involving works by Claude Monet and Alfred Sisley, but the works were recovered few days after the theft.
What will happen now? Will the paintings be recovered, or we will have another case to add to the already spectacular list of unresolved Art robberies? Only time will tell


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Any time Newark Mayor Cory Booker makes a move, political or otherwise, his 1.3 million Twitter followers are the first to know.
Vanity Fair magazine has anointed him "America's Twitter boyfriend."
Politico's Dylan Byers writes that it's how Booker "drives the narrative" and included in his article the mayor's comments on The Daily Show that Twitter "is another tool to communicate with voters."
But the announcement from Newark's celebrity mayor explaining why his next move will probably be for a seat in the United States Senate ran much longer than a tweet.
And, in typical Booker fashion, it took a lot of people by surprise while at the same time instantly spawning national headlines.
Speculation heated up even further when political sources told NBC 4 New York unequivocally that "Booker will seek the U.S. Senate seat held by fellow Democrat Frank Lautenberg, when his term is up in 2014."
"I'm not going to soft pedal this," is how Booker explained it to David Giambusso, of the Newark Star Ledger, once his announcement hit national headlines. "It is my intention to run for U.S. Senate."
Senator Lautenberg's office, after hours of silence, issued a succinct reply to numerous inquiries from the media about the soon-to-be 89-year-old's political future. The retort could be taken as a brush-off to the media and to Booker's surprise announcement, headlined: "This is not the time for political distractions."
The brief statement read:
"Senator Lautenberg is focused on passing a critical disaster relief bill for New Jersey and addressing America's broken gun laws. The last several months and weeks have been a painful time for New Jersey and America, and the Senator is working on the tough issues we face."
But the statement ended, "the Senator will address politics next year." And "politics next year" are key words for pundits and followers of the two highly popular elected officials in the Garden State: Republican Governor Chris Christie and Democratic mayor Cory Booker, who, individually and together, have firmly established themselves as national icons.
The sometimes friends, sometimes rivals and evenly-matched political combatants both have a credible shot at victory in what was anticipated to be an entertaining, if hard-fought, gubernatorial battle coming on the heels of a hard-fought presidential election.
"We don't know who the standard bearer will be now," Giambusso told theGrio, "but they won't have the national presence of Cory Booker."
"It would have been a classic match-up," Tom Moran said, speaking to theGrio. The editorial page editor of the Star Ledger, who has closely followed Booker's political career, added, "If you're a Democrat, Booker would have been your best chance."
The state's bonus from a Booker vs. Christie race was seen as increased revenue during the anticipated campaign, and, perhaps as a point of pride, prolonged national media attention; a prime venue for exciting politics in a post-presidential year.
Yesterday's announcement changed all that and left a lot of local Democrats and Booker supporters disappointed as well as unsure about the mayor's strategy for respectfully easing out the revered, proactive and very independent member of the Senate.


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John Bryson lives in a palatial 7,700-square-foot, 1928 San Marino mansion with seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms and an elegantly landscaped pool, but the Edison International chairman is not worried about paying his electric bills.
On April 8, Edison—parent company of the publicly subsidized utility Southern California Edison (SCE)—notified the Securities and Exchange Commission that it gave Bryson a 222 percent pay raise in 2002. Records the company was forced to file because of mandatory federal disclosure laws show the 59-year-old executive was paid $503,000 per month last year. In 2001, Bryson received only $228,000 per month.
Bryson is undoubtedly a gifted boss, but the sweetening of his already-loaded compensation package occurred at the same time Edison's stock value fell 22 percent. That was the same moment SCE—the primary source of income for Edison—claimed it was nearly bankrupt, had strenuously cut expenses, and was in dire need of massive additional rate hikes and new public subsidies.
Somehow those salient facts never appeared together in any mainstream news coverage. On April 8, the Los Angeles Times published a relatively dull item on Bryson's deal in its poorly read business section. Oddly, that story did not appear anywhere in the paper's Orange County edition. (Bryson has close ties to the Times; he was a longtime member of the board of directors of the paper's parent company until 2001, and though they've never admitted the error, the Times endorsed Bryson's pre-energy crisis propaganda that the industry's deregulation plan would "guarantee" consumers lower electric rates. It brought colossal price increases.)
News editors at The Orange County Register were no better. They buried their Bryson salary report on page 3 of the business section—72 pages into their April 9 edition. That day, the Register gave more prominence to the following news: "UCI Will Eventually Conduct Trials to Test Effectiveness of Acupuncture," "South Central May Lose Name," "South Korean President to Make First Trip to U.S.," and "Brea Planning Commission Recommends Revised General Plan."
We now know why Bryson was able to gloat last year that SCE enjoys more than an 80 percent customer-approval rating.
But the journalistic negligence didn't end with poor or nonexistent story placement. Neither the Times nor the Register put Bryson's bonanza in context. For example, they didn't bother to note that SCE, which had $1.1 billion cash on hand as of Jan. 31, is seeking California Public Utility Commission approval of another $286 million rate hike on consumers. Or that SCE is set in coming weeks to receive the final installment of a public subsidy of more than $3.6 billion. Or that the state-approved monopoly has funneled tens of billions of dollars from ratepayers to the private shareholders of Edison.
Instead, both daily papers ended their stories straight from an Edison press release. Most egregious was the Times: reporter Nancy Rivera Brooks seemed to be on to something meaningful when she quoted consumer advocate Doug Heller asserting that Edison executives had "padded their wallets." But the Times reporter quickly switched to Bryson, who dismissed Heller's observation as "completely false." Brooks must have agreed. She gave no explanation for Bryson's retort but did close her story by listing what she and—coincidentally?—the Edison public-relations department call Bryson's "achievements" for the utility's private shareholders.
* * *
Our story on Bill O'Reilly and his bitter break with the Register prompted dozens of angry responses from around the country ("The War's Most Unusual Casualty," April 10). The Fox News celebrity had claimed his column was permanently cut by the Register because he was pro-war. We learned that O'Reilly—who routinely rants about the lack of moral absolutism in others—wasn't telling the truth. Register editor Cathy Taylor said she dumped O'Reilly eight months before the war began because his columns were little more than O'Reilly talking about how great it is to be O'Reilly. Fans of The O'Reilly Factor host were incensed by our report and equated criticism of O'Reilly with a lack of patriotism. Here's a sampling of their comments:
"You are an anti-American piece of shit. What does R [in R. Scott Moxley] stand for? Retarded? Dude, you are channeling the Iraqi Minister of Information?"
"Your story proves OC Weekly is not supporting the Bush administration's objectives. There is a tide in the affairs of man, and you are missing it. The bear is loose."
"I hope I don't run into any Democrats. Sparks may fly."
"Stay in Orange County, Mr. Moxley. You'll be safe there from those who might threaten your deeply held beliefs."
"Are you some sort of bottom who takes it in the ass, which frees up your mouth to spout the kinds of bullshit you do? Pinko, you are a coward."
"Your column smacks of the elitism of the left. Mr. O'Reilly will continue to lead television and book sales while scribblers like you earn the anonymity they so richly deserve."
"We had an election in 2002. Bush won that. I bet that REALLY bothers you."
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"I knew you were a vain sucker. Stick to gossip as you are not a candidate for putting out well-researched serious journalism."
But the most fascinating O'Reilly fan letter was from "Pete":
"Bill Clinton is the reason our soldiers are dying in Iraq. He was called the black president! Do you know how much grief blacks cause? Our welfare, school and prison systems are overrun by them. They cause every major U.S. city to be a slum. They should be sterilized. He is a traitor who sold out my country many times. Then go to that shriveled-up Nancy Pelosi. Any war protestors are gonna pay the price now—starting with the Dixie Chicks, [Susan] Sarandon, [Tim] Robbins and [Janeane] Garofalo. Then I read in the LA Times that this Howard Rosenberg is talking trash! If it weren't for Jews, we would have no problems in the world. Mark this down and never forget it: until Israel is a parking lot, there will never, ever be peace in the world. Amen."


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CARSON, Calif. - The Kansas City Wizards put on a lackluster performance against Chivas USA, failing to capitalize on the reeling expansion side en route to a 1-1 draw at The Home Depot Center on Wednesday night.
A win would have put the Wizards ahead of the Chicago Fire and into sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference. Instead, the Wizards are tied with Chicago in the standings at 16 points apiece as they travel cross-country to take on the first place New England Revolution on Saturday in Boston.
"We came to win, not tie," said disappointed Wizards coach Bob Gansler. "The possibilities were there late, we had a couple of them but we need to execute better. Standards are high."
The Wizards offense was stagnant throughout the match, the lone goal coming off a lucky strike from defender Jose Burciaga in the 30th minute.
Although the absences of midfielder Kerry Zavagnin and forward Josh Wolff - both away on U.S. national team duty - complicated matters for the Wizards attack, it wasn't used as an excuse for their poor play.
"Those are guys that you can't replace but we have a deep enough squad where we feel that we can come out and win every game," said Wizards captain Diego Gutierrez. "We played well the previous two games without them so it's not a make or break thing where if we don't have them we won't perform well."
In their last two matches, both without Wolff and Zavagnin, the Wizards were able to take home 1-0 victories.
However, Wolff's absence from his usual role spearheading the Wizards attack was all too evident against Chivas USA.
"He's one of those guys that wreak havoc on defenses," said Sasha Victorine. "He can create chances by himself and we missed that tonight."
Without Wolff, whose four goals on the year tie him for the team lead with Chris Klein, the Wizards were left to depend on a strike from an unlikely source. Burciaga's strike on the half-hour 25 yards from goal on the left flank was intended as a centering pass but instead sailed over the head of Chivas USA's unsuspecting goalkeeper Martin Zuniga and into the back of the net.
"All I was trying to do was reach the far post and luckily it went in," Burciaga said about the goal, his first of the season and second of his MLS league career, though he scored on a long-range effort at The Home Depot Center in last year's MLS Cup Final.
The lone goal for the Wizards only helped to underline their offensive troubles.
"We had a tough day up top," added Burciaga. "Both of our forwards kept coming at their defense but they just couldn't figure it out."
"We never found our groove tonight and we lacked a little bit of speed of play," said Gutierrez, who was limited to few touches throughout the night. "We weren't able to do what we usually do, which is string passes together and get going forward. We just couldn't find our rhythm."
The Wizards will have to rediscover that rhythm as they head into Saturday's important match against the Revolution, the first of two consecutive games against the conference leaders.
"We're looking up at that team so there shouldn't be any problem getting motivated," said Gansler.
Burciaga welcomes the challenge presented by the much heralded Revolution.
"We've been ready for that game, we've been waiting for them and there's been a lot of hype about them. I think we're going to go in there with confidence and I think we can get a point and hopefully a win. It's going to be a great two weeks."
Danny Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.


text:
Do us a favor, take a look at the job description for the job you currently work. Do you notice anything missing? Maybe, the 4 or 5 other jobs you work at the office?
Since the recession, many workers have had to cover roles that were once filled by more colleagues. According to Gallup, the average number of hours Americans work per week is 47, almost a full workday longer than a standard 40-hour week.
We asked Farnoosh Torabi, personal finance writer and author of "When She Makes More," about what you can do to survive an ever-increasing workload:
"I think you want to take your emotion off the table, and be strategic about the position you are in. If you're the last man standing at your job, at least if you feel that way ... you need to let your employer kindly know that you're happy to take on the extra work, but you'd like to be fair about it. Before you even go to that meeting, gather some research. Go into HR, and find out what is your salary range. If you just got hired and are at a starter salary, and suddenly you're taking on a lot more work, find out the potential increase you can earn."
Click play above to hear more advice on asking for a raise, working from home, and for handling a freelance career


text:
Members of the City Council are:
Back Row (left to right): Council Member TJ Thomson, Council Member Ben Quintana, Council President Pro Tem Lauren McLean, Council Member Scot LudwigFront Row (left to right): Council President Elaine Clegg, Mayor David H. Bieter, Council Member Maryanne Jordan
Phone: (208) 384-4422
Email the Mayor
Email the City Council
150 N Capitol Blvd
Boise, ID 83702
William L. Bones
Chief of Police
Contact: BPD Media Relations Office
08-18-10 Fight over a parking space ends in Aggravated Assault
charges; Overnight Felony arrests of note
Arrested: Luis J. Suarez-Carbajal, 30,
Charges: Aggravated Assault (F),
Boise Police responded to a report of a
fight yesterday (August 7th) at an apartment complex on the 6600
block of West Morris Hill at approximately 6:30 p.m. Witnesses tell
police that the suspect and the victims, an adult female and male,
had become involved in an argument at one of the apartments over a
parking space. A physical fight took place between three adults. At
one point, the victim tells police the suspect grabbed a knife and
began swinging it at the two victims. No one received life
threatening injuries during the incident. The suspect was
transported to the Ada County Jail and booked on the above listed
Arrested: Karen D. Hammond, 54, Star
Charges:Trafficking of a Controlled substance
Arrested: Willie P. Parker, 34, Boise
Charges:Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (m),
Providing False Information (m)
Boise Police observed a vehicle commit
several lane change violations and conducted a traffic stop at
Cloverdale and Bowmont last night (August 17th) at approximately
11:30 p.m. As officers contacted the driver, later identified as
Karen Hammond, they witnessed her swallow a small plastic baggie to
prevent them from finding it. After police determined the substance
the suspect had swallowed was Heroin, the suspect was transported
to a local hospital for evaluation. Officers recovered an
additional 3.9 grams of Heroin that Karen Hammond had hidden on her
person. A Boise Police K-9 alerted on the vehicle indicating the
likely presence of drugs. A search of the vehicle revealed several
syringes belonging to the passenger, later identified as Willie
Parker. At first, the passenger provided a false name and
identifying information to police resulting in the additional false
Information charge. The suspects were booked at the Ada County Jail
on the above listed charges.
Arrested: Tyler J. Fluckijer, 30, Boise
Charges: Burglary (F), Malicious Injury
to Property (m)
Boise Police responded to a armed
subject call at a residence on the 1300 block of North Arrow Lane
yesterday (August 17th) at approximately 10:00 p.m. Victims tell
police that the suspect, a neighbor, had kicked and rammed down
their front door to gain entry to the residence. The suspect then
took a stereo. Witnesses who lived at the home were able to
identify the suspect who was arrested at a nearby home. Officers
believe the suspect entered the residence with the intent to commit
the theft, resulting in the burglary charge. The suspect was
transported to the Ada County Jail and booked on the above listed
Arrested: Marilynne J. Del Rio, 51, Boise
Charges:Burglary (F), Battery (m)
Boise Police responded to a report of a theft
at a retail store on the 8300 block of West Overland Yesterday
(August 17th) at approximately 2:30 p.m. Store employees tell
police that they witnessed the suspect conceal several items and
then push a shopping cart full of goods to the exit. Loss
prevention employees confronted the suspect at the door insisting
that she return with them. Employes tell police a struggle took
place during which the suspect shoved the employee away before
fleeing on foot. Officers located the suspect moments later near
the store. Officers believe the suspect entered the store with the
intent to commit the theft resulting in the burglary charge. The
suspect was transported to the Ada County Jail and booked on the
above listed charges.
The Boise Police Organized Retail Crime Unit
has developed a positive, productive working relationship with loss
prevention agents from many local retail stores, large and small,
local and national chains. The goal of the BPD Organized Retail
Crime Unit is to work with retailers to reduce theft and fraud,
crimes that can impact consumer prices.
Arrested: Tucker K. Todd, 18, Boise
Charges: Possession of Stolen Property
Boise Police responded to a citizen tip
of a possible stolen motorcycle in front of a store on the
5700 block of West Overland yesterday (August 17th) at
approximately 11:30 p.m. The citizen who called told police the
motorcycle was missing the ignition. A check through Ada County
records indicted the motorcycle had been entered as a stolen
vehicle. Officers determined the suspect had ridden the motorcycle
to the location. The suspect was transported to the Ada County Jail
and booked on the above listed charges.
Warrant Arrested: Angie A. Ammerman, 35, Boise
Warrant Charges: Injury to a Child (F)
The suspect was taken into custody on an
outstanding felony warrant for Injury to a Child yesterday.
The arrest warrant stems from an ongoing
investigation into an incident that took place on July 24th of this
year. Evidence indicates the suspect left a child, under the age of
ten alone at a public music festival event in Ann Morrison park for
more than 5 hours. That investigative information was forwarded to
the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and resulted in the
felony warrant.
VULNERABLE ADULTS 18-1501.Injury to children. (1) Any person who,
under circumstances or conditions likely to produce great bodily
harm or death, willfully causes or permits any child to suffer, or
inflicts thereon unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering,
or having the care or custody of any child, willfully causes or
permits the person or health of such child to be injured, or
willfully causes or permits such child to be placed in such
situation that its person or health is endangered, is punishable by
imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one (1) year, or in
the state prison for not less than one (1) year nor more than ten
(10) years.
Find out what's happening in your neighborhood. Read the Boise
Police Neighborhood Crime Bulletin, updated regularly by the Boise
Police Crime Prevention unit. Log onto www.boisepolice.org
Follow us on Twitter and Nixle or find us on Facebook!
Release Prepared By:
Charles McClure
Boise Police Public Information


text:
|Property type
|Minimum Stay
|7 nights
This world-renowned beach boasts the finest, whitest quartz sand in the world. Slip away to the Beach for Magnificent Sunsets or an early morning stroll.
This first-floor condominium is located at Midnight Cove II across from world-famous Crescent Beach (with beach access).
This two-bedroom unit is fully equipped with all the comforts of home that include microwave, dishwasher, full-size refrigerator, TV, DVD and all linens fully supplied.
The superbly landscaped grounds provides you with a tranquil and serene atmosphere. There is a spacious, heated, swimming pool for you to enjoy steps from this luxury condominium. Tennis courts available.PLEASE CHECK OUR OTHER LISTINGS #'S 29934,16759,4272 THANK YOU
There is a SECURE Internet Service in the condo
We look forward to accommodating your dream vacation!
Keywords: Condominium
We both grew up in the northeast part of the Country Orchard Park, New York (suburb
of Buffalo, New York). We have been going to Siesta Key since 1979 on and off during
the years. After purchasing our first condo at that time, we have invested in
several other properties both Gulffront and on the Intercoastal Waterway on Siesta Key.
PAUL & JOAN SCHALLER purchased this condo in 2003
We were introduced to Siesta Key by our friends and fell in love with the White Quartz Sands
of Crescent Beach (Siesta Key) and the beautiful blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Our clients
are from all over the World and come back year after year to enjoy our condos. It is an area
which is very family oriented and safe. We are located just two hrs from Disney World and
one hour from Busch Gardens in Tampa.
There are three (3) very good reasons to rent our condos LOCATION - LOCATION - LOCATION, close
to everything but away from all. Siesta Key makes you feel like you are in the Carribean Islands
but yet you can drive there and enjoy. Regarding travel Sarasota Bradenton Airport is only a
20 minute drive away. Tampa International Airport is just a one hour drive and Orlando Airport
is a two hour drive. Several Shopping Malls are within a 15 minute drive from the Key. There
are also a variety of many restaurants to choose from in the area. All our Rental Properties
are ULTRA CLEAN, Updated and located in the BEST AREA on the Beach and Intercoastal Waterway.
A hub of Arts and Culture is found in the City of Sarasota just 20 minutes from our Condos.
Other Ammenties include renting bikes, boat rentals, parasailing, deep sea fishing.
Very good location. Very clean and comfortable condo. Smartly equipped and decorated. Joan is very nice person to deal with.
We were happy there and going to get back again!!
Thank you, Joan!!
First off the owner should get a 5 star rating just to herself. She is incredibly helpful and makes sure everything is as it should be on arrival. She was a pleasure to work with. As for the condo it is located about a 6-7 minute walk from the beach. It has everything needed and is clean and comfortable. The pool is right next to the condo.Would definitely stay there again without hesitation!
The condo was nice & clean and very tastefully decorated. Joan was an absolute pleasure to work with on this last minute trip to Siesta Key! I don't usually write a lot of reviews but this one comes with high recommendations!
My family and I stayed in this unit. We have stayed in Midnight Cove Gulf and bay side and this was our first time in Midnight Cove ii. This condo was fantastic. We've never stayed on the first floor. It was the best - literally steps away from the pool which the kids loved. And it was a short 5 minute walk to the beach. This condo was clean and very comfortable with all the expected amenities. The owner was very nice and pleasant to work with. We had a great time and will be renting this condo again!!
This condo is incredible and the owner couldn't be more helpful. Thanks for a great vacation. My family thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
The owner was extremely conscientious making sure things were as expected on our arrival. The unit is well stocked and very clean. The complex has a large pool and the grounds are beautiful. It's literally takes about 6 -7 minutes to walk from door to surf and the access is controlled.
|Rental Period
|Minimum Price
|Additional Nights
|Weekend Night
|Event Price
17 Feb 2017 - 31 Dec 2017
7 night minimum stay
for 7 nights
1 Jan 2018 - 17 Feb 2018
7 night minimum stay
for 7 nights
$300 deposit required to reserve dates requested and balance due thirty days prior to arrival date


text:
This new combined council ought perhaps merely to be called 'North Down'.
Within its boundaries will be much more of the northern half of the County of Down than was ever contained within the outgoing council of that name, which in effect only covered the northern fringe of Down along Belfast Lough.
But, in what was presumably a diplomatic bid to ensure that the burghers of the old Ards district felt equally included, the supercouncil will be called North Down and Ards.
It is similar in territory to the combined Westminster constituencies of North Down and Strangford.
It is, therefore, not dissimilar to the larger North Down seat from which those two constituencies emerged in 1983, that was in the 1970s held by the unionist Jim Kilfedder.
"The first person I voted for was Jim Kilfedder as a young boy of 18 [in 1974]," recalls the DUP's Jim Shannon, who would ultimately inherit the Strangford segment of the late MP's parliamentary fiefdom.
Mr Shannon knows the more southerly chunk of the new supercouncil intimately.
"As an Ards man, I would like to see within the amalgamation Ards keeping its individuality, which it has had for a couple of hundred years," he told the News Letter. "It is important that it's part of the new council, but not absorbed."
It is undecided if the council will have headquarters in Bangor Townhall or Newtownards, and shadow meetings of the emerging body will alternate between them. The latter location would make geographical sense, being close to the midpoint of a district that includes Holywood to the west and Donaghadee to the east, Bangor to the north and Killinchy to the south, and the Ards peninsula, between Strangford Lough and the Irish Sea.
The region is overwhelmingly unionist, with pockets of nationalist voters in the peninsula, but like other affluent parts of eastern Northern Ireland, there are many 'neither' voters who dislike tribal designation, and often back Alliance or independents.
For this reason, North Down and Ards will probably not return a DUP majority, as would almost any other council area that had a similarly dominant percentage of Protestant voters.
Number crunchers expect Peter Robinson's party to fall just short of taking half the 40 seats. Alliance and the Ulster Unionists are battling for second place, with both likely to secure six to nine seats.
NI21 will hope to poll well in an area as moderate as northern Co Down.
A nationalist councillor is expected to be returned from the Portaferry area, probably Joe Boyle of the SDLP.
That town currently has the Exploris aquarium, the doubtful future of which is one of the few potentially controversial issues in this election.
Alliance MLA Stephen Farry, who was a North Down councillor for 18 years, cites the future of Bangor seafront, much of which has been derelict for several years, as another unresolved matter.
Mr Shannon raises concerns in Ards that North Down does not have as much money in reserve, after its expense on the prestigious £38m Olympic-sized Aurora pool.
Councillors will be mindful of the grey vote: the supercouncil's 157,000 population will include the most people aged 65+ in any new district. It might also be the richest area, with 27 per cent of people holding a degree or higher level qualification.
Your candidates:
Robert Hugh Adair (DUP)
Kellie Mary Armstrong (All)
Sheila Bailie (SF)
Joseph Timothy Boyle (SDLP)
John David Bustard (NI21)
Angus Yeaman Carson (UUP)
Nigel Edmund (DUP)
Paul Leeman (NI Conservatives)
Colin Robert McCormick (All)
Edward Burns Thompson (DUP)
Louise Sara Alexandra Wallace (DUP)
Naomi Esther Hannah Armstrong (DUP)
Linda Cleland (Alliance)
Ian Stephen Alexander Cox (Independent)
John Colville Elliott (DUP)
Katherine Ferguson (UUP)
Sharon Elizabeth Hunt (Ind)
Nichola Keenan (NI21)
Colin George Dallas Kennedy (DUP)
Alan Joseph McDowell (All)
Stephen McIlveen (DUP)
William Wallace McKendry (NI Conservatives)
David Mark McMullen (TUV)
James Menagh (Independent)
Richard John Smart (UUP)
Daniel Allen (UUP)
John Barry (Green)
Stephen Gordon Dunne (DUP)
Jennifer Mary Gilmour (DUP)
Matthew Ian Johnston (NI21)
Gerard Gabriel Alphonsus Leddy (Independent)
Peter Gerard Lismore (SDLP)
James Hamilton McKerrow (UUP)
Andrew David Muir (Alliance)
Kate Siobhan Nicholl (Alliance)
William David Fergus O'Callaghan (NI Conservatives)
Stuart David Anderson (All)
Colin Mark Breen (Independent)
Alistair John Cathcart (DUP)
David Alan Chambers (Ind)
William Lee Cudworth (TUV)
Roberta Mahood Dunlop (DUP)
Nicholas Richard David Fell (All)
Peter James Floyd (NI21)
Mark Currell Gordon (Community Partnership NI)
Adam Harbinson (DUP)
Ian John Cyril Henry (UUP)
Wesley Graham Irvine (DUP)
Mary Louise Macartney (Ind)
Carl Christian McClean (UUP)
William John Montgomery (UKIP)
Noelle Anne Robinson (Green)
David Kenneth Symington(Cons)
Mark Ronald Brooks (UUP)
Albert Alan Chambers (Ind)
Christopher Ryan Eisenstadt (UUP)
Trana Gray (Green)
William David Keery (DUP)
Terence Hamilton Malcolm (DUP)
Peter James Martin (DUP)
Brian Alexander McBride (Cons)
William John Phineas McKee (NI21)
Thomas John Smith (DUP)
Joseph Edward Strutt (TUV)
Patrick John Toms (UKIP)
Gavin Walker (Alliance)
John William Hunter Andrews (NI Conservatives)
Stephen James Cooper (TUV)
Trevor William Cummings (DUP)
James Edward Chandler Fletcher (UUP)
Robert Gibson (DUP)
Deborah Mary Louise Girvan (All)
Isabella Hanna (UKIP)
Margaret Jayne Howson (NI21)
John Mervyn Oswald (DUP)
Philip Geoffrey Smith (UUP)
Alison Elizabeth Blayney (Commun Partnrshp)
Mark Brotherston (NI Cons)
Steven Bernard Denny (NI21)
Robert Samuel John Gordon (TUV)
Robert Alan Graham (DUP)
Alan Leslie (DUP)
Ingrid Logan (SDLP)
Paul Andrew Roberts (Green)
Marion Smith (UUP)
Laurance Thompson (Alliance)
Scott Alfred Wilson (Alliance)


text:
Car trouble? Is your SAAB running poorly? Find the best Diagnostics Specialists and Experts in Sunderland today.
Click Here and describe what's wrong, and compare local specialist prices and reviews today. Get your competitive quotes now!
Car trouble? Is your SAAB running poorly? Find the best Diagnostics Specialists and Experts in Sunderland today.
Excellent service... seamless.
Couldn't fault the service and actual repair by this garage. I applied for and was contacted out of hours with a quote which I thought was great. As promised my car was collected the following morning, the clutch replaced and my car delivered back to me that same day. Perfect service, repair and price. Will deffo recommend and use again.
"I couldn't recommend him highly enough"
Highly recommended! Excellent job - picked vehicle up when they said they would and returned it when they said. Also gave a lot of feedback on the general condition of the vehicle. Fast, friendly service at an excellent price. Definitely be going back for any further work when it's required.
Replaced my clutch no issues at all. Would highly recommend this place
Great service from this Garage. Very personable staff great information and explanation every step of the way. As a single woman did not feel unsure of honest quote which happens frequently and in fact felt very secure throughout the repair. Will certainly use again and would definitely recommend them. Thank you VRS.
Very efficient
Oil change fine. Follow-up jobs to hand brake and calipers were a joke. Returned twice to get hand brake sorted and ended up having to go somewhere else. And calipers were put on rear wheels shoddily. Had to return as wheels were hot. Pins were discovered as being disintegrated on all four calipers by another garage - how they didn't notice that I have no idea. The oil change was fine though.
well where do I start with my praise for everyone at VRS REPAIR SERVICES who go that extra mile to put their customers first, after being totally ripped off quote wise by the big high street exhaust companies one of which refused my car because the manifold bolts were seized,VRS came to my help within minutes of posting on the site, cost was quarter than the high street exhaust places and an extremely fast turnaround. before paying any expensive high street fitting centre costs give VRS a call you will not be dissappointed, am so pleased to find these guys. VRS = VALUE RELIABLE SERVICE. Thank you VRS your a credit to the auto trade
I had Brian having a look at my car on Thursday and he was brilliant! I would chose them again.
Robin answered our message late hours of Friday night and was here by 4pm on the Saturday to fix the problem!! Needed it fixed asap for my parents to drive back home from Newcastle to wales the next day!! Highly recommend this company and will definitely use again!! Thank you
Spot on. Great communication. Honest advice and solid work. Can't fault the lad.
He did a great job. I would certainly use again in future. A+
good price and good work.
Champion, everything was good!
Hard to locate the garage. Did a good job. Happy with the service.
amazing the guys were very understantmding and didn't rip me off so happy :) thank you
Everything went perfect. They did a brilliant job
Steve and the team at Britannia made an excellent job of my car service and MOT. Steve gave friendly and professional advice on my car and as a result it now drives like new. Cannot thank them enough. Great job at a great price. I will be back.
Steve got back to me with a quote extremely quickly and happily answered any queries I had regarding the price. for example the original quote was £160 which I thought was extremely cheap, I asked a question whether everything was included in the price but the discs were not. this meant the price increased slightly but it was still by the cheapest price by far at £225. I was most impressed when I was offered a brand new courtesy car while mine was having work done, which is a real bonus! all in all the job ended up costing £358 upon the discovery that a calliper needed replacing also, I was more than happy to pay the extra on top of the quote as I was told in good time that it was needed. I found the guys very helpful and easy to deal with and the discovery of an Easter egg and mug after picking my car up made it that bit sweeter..... nice touch!
An excellent service ... great communications, everything explained simply, flexible and a superb courtesy car. Couldn't recommend them enough!
Bang on!! Price quoted was the price I paid. They inspected my front discs and pads and said they were fine, no need to replace. Hire car was spot on and a nice little touch giving it to me free of charge for being a first time customer although the £10 charge it would have been, is a good price. Would thoroughly recommend.
Excellent customer service with Steve Martin (owner/manager). I've owned Audi A3's for many years now and used a flexible long-life service with Main Dealer, but find them very expensive these days. Britannia Auto Centre provided same service and uses Original Equipment parts/dealership recommended lubricants etc. and I was highly impressed with their efficiency and with a courtesy car provided too. Would not hesitate to use for future services/MOT's. K.Walton. 28.04.2016.
Great service picked up the same day.
Excellent service really friendly and helpful
Great price, great service. All work done as expected. Would definitely use again.
Had van in for a fulk service. Excellent customer service. Would definitely use again
Great easy friendly service. Maybe health check sheet might be helpful... life span of tyres etc. But can't fault work or service. Thank you v much for collecting my car too
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