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Stefon Diggs' poignant words are echoing in cyberspace. They are like cries in the darkness.
"I just wanna hear his voice," Maryland's best football player says in a Twitter message directed to no one and everyone. "Show him everything I've done and how far I've came."
The 19-year-old receiver's posts about his late father come in bursts. Only those close to Diggs — who had one of the most prolific freshman seasons in Terps history in 2012 — know the powerful back story.
They know Aron Diggs — a bear of a man at 6-3, 230 pounds whose nickname was "Big A" — applied tough love to Stefon and younger brother Trevon as he groomed them to be football players from the age of 4. They know he continued to coach his sons in a Montgomery County youth football league even as his heart condition worsened and his energy diminished, often reducing him to sitting on a chair on the sideline. As the illness progressed, he'd ask his wife, Stephanie, for reports from his hospital bed on the boys' games.
Aron (pronounced AY-Ron) Diggs died of congestive heart failure in January 2008 at age 39 waiting for a heart transplant that never came.
In the two years before his death, Stefon cut and combed his father's hair and buckled his watch around his wrist. His father had always kept an orderly appearance, and Stefon didn't want him to lose his dignity even as he was losing his health.
My father did a good job while he was alive — Stefon Diggs on Twitter, June 12
It would be hard to overstate how much Aron Diggs' life — and death — influenced his sons. Even as they mourn his loss, they still seem to somehow be seeking his affirmation. He was often slow to dish out praise, making any compliment a valuable commodity.
Last season, Stefon, who is listed at 6-1, 195 pounds, caught 54 passes for 848 yards and finished with the second-most all-purpose yards (1,896) in a single season in program history. Maryland, coming off a 4-8 season, opens training camp Monday.
Trevon — who wears the same jersey number ("1") as his older brother — is a slim, wildly athletic cornerback, receiver and returner at Rockville's Wootton High School. He has already received offers from Maryland and Virginia and attention from Nebraska and other top football schools, according to Tyree Spinner, his coach.
"I have to say Aron put all this together," Stephanie Diggs, 46, said recently of her sons' success as she sat next to Trevon at Wootton, where he is entering his sophomore season.
"Growing up, they only knew football and school. They didn't even know the kids in the neighborhood — it was that strict," the mother said. "It's funny how you look back. They were trick-or-treating once and Stefon had on a Power Ranger outfit, and my husband looked at me and said, 'He's going to make it to the [National Football] League.' "
Aron Diggs was mostly a stay-at-home dad who tried to start several businesses but was unable to work in the years before his death. He sensed early that his sons had prodigious football talent, but he was determined that they not be prima donnas. He wanted them always to be striving for something.
"He was a menacing guy if you didn't know him," said Garrett King, who coached with Aron in the Montgomery Village Chiefs youth football program. "He may have been tougher on his boys than anyone. He was so tough on them that my wife was like, 'You've got to talk to Coach Aron.' But it was a shell. He was tough, but he was fair and he got the most out of his players. At the end of the year, he'd go into his own pocket and buy the kids things."
Aron Diggs, who had played Amateur Athletic Union basketball, was known for his large hands. That is also a hallmark of his sons.
Stefon's hands are so large they appear almost mismatched — as if they should be attached to a much larger body.
Trevon, who is 14 and still growing — he played last season at 155 pounds but says he is now up to 170 — is already wearing the largest size (XXL) Cutters gloves for his position.
Trevon, who also aspires to play in the NFL, has instinctive moves and an "uncanny ability to read the ball in the air. He's going to be a tired kid on Friday night," said Spinner, who plans to use the player on offense, defense and as a returner.
What better way to make your father proud than to be more of a man than him — Stefon Diggs on Twitter, June 25
Stefon and Trevon rarely seem satisfied with their results on the field. Those who know them say they internalized that trait from their demanding father.
Last season, Stefon sometimes brooded after defeats. Animated and emotional on the field, he occasionally made mistakes — such as fumbling a punt in a win at Temple — trying to do too much.
His teammates would tell him to forget about any miscues and move on to the next play. Most of them marvel at his pass-catching skills and the ease with which he eludes defenders. "I've never been around an athlete like him," quarterback C.J. Brown said.
He's made mistakes off the field, too, but is maturing. Before arriving at Maryland, he apologized for a racially insensitive tweet about NBA point guard Jeremy Lin. "Not saying I was a bad kid, but I had a lot to learn. You've just got to not be impulsive," he said last season.
Said his mother: "I mean, all kids get in trouble for high school — little boy, mischievous stuff."
As his Maryland career began, Stefon wore a tattoo. On the inside of one arm, close to his chest, was the word "self." The word "made" was in the same spot on the other arm.
Asked if he wanted to elaborate on being "self-made," Diggs replied: "It's self-explanatory."
The subject of his father's death didn't come up in interviews with Stefon last year. Neither son talks much about their father's passing. The topic still seems too raw. "The kids are still very sensitive and grieving," the mother said.
Ironically, the forum in which both sons seem to share the most about their loss is on Twitter — a particularly public medium.
"He thinks out loud," Stephanie Diggs said of Stefon. "Being that young, that's probably the way he processes it. He's learning how to express what he was feeling. He's straightforward, just like his father."
Maryland declined to make Stefon available this summer before camp opened, although he was interviewed during spring practices and last season.
Trevon's Twitter page says "RiP Dad."
He was in the fourth grade when his father died. He and the rest of the family treasure a football in the basement signed by Aron and the members of one of his youth teams.
His father's memory "motivates me to do well every day on and off the field," Trevon said.
I want her to never have to work again — Stefon Diggs tweeting about his mother, May 12.
Tucked away in the Diggs' North Potomac townhome are two large bins. They are stuffed with letters, stickers, calendars and photographs from Florida, Auburn and other leading football schools.
Stephanie Diggs holds on to the bins' contents as keepsakes of a frenetic period when Stefon was one of the nation's most heavily recruited high school athletes.
Aron surely would have loved managing his son's recruitment. After his death, the task fell to his widow.
She already had, in effect, two full-time jobs — raising the boys (an older daughter had already graduated high school) and working as a customer service representative for a corporation in Washington.
Handling Stefon's recruitment was akin to a third job. But she was determined to do it right. "I'm hands on," said the former high school and college basketball player who grew up in Alexandria, Va.
Long partial to basketball, she has grown to love football because of her husband and sons. After being interviewed, she playfully tossed a football to Trevon and extended her left arm to strike a mock Heisman Trophy statue pose.
She traveled with Stefon on visits to Florida and Ohio State, where students at a basketball game chanted his name. "I thought I should do the presidential wave or something," she said.
She said Auburn sent a photo depicting its scoreboard with Stefon's image on it.
She said she was comfortable with Maryland — whose fans also chanted "Stefon" and "Diggs" at a basketball game at Comcast Center — because she considers coach Randy Edsall tough enough to hold her son "accountable."
Stefon — who peeks into Byrd Stadium's parents section behind Maryland's bench to spot his mother before games — also said he liked Maryland because he could remain geographically close to Trevon.
"That's my little rock," Stefon said. "I look after him."
One thing I don't play about is my family — Stefon Diggs on Twitter, June 12
After Aron died, Stefon became "a father figure" to his brother, Stephanie Diggs said.
They still often work out together — the two No. 1s running sprints and practicing routes and footwork in the summer heat.
Asked what football players — college or pro — he most emulates, Trevon quickly replies: "My brother."
But he is also eager to establish his own identity. That's a big reason why he opted for public school instead of attending Good Counsel, as Stefon did, or another private school.
After wearing the same number as Stefon for years, Trevon has flirted with the idea of changing it. He arrived for a recent interview with his hair dyed partially blonde — the color that Stefon and former LSU defensive back Tyrann "Honey Badger" Mathieu have sometimes sported. Trevon said he has been considering switching to Mathieu's No. 7.
"I'm trying to basically create my own name," Trevon said. "It's probably not going to work if I have the same number as him. It's some big shoes to fill."
Whether they share a number or not, they'll always have the same commanding role model — their father.
"He was always with his sons. Always," Stephanie Diggs said. "It's just really important for Stefon and Trevon to make sure their father gets credit."
Latest Terps


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Cypress, CA January 30, 2013 – Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, and its U.S. Road Racing Teams have been working diligently in preparation for the upcoming GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Racing season, and they're poised for their debut at Daytona in March, where they'll field one of their best and most experienced groups of riders, crews, and machines in the company's storied racing history.
Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha SuperBike
Returning once again as title sponsor of the SuperBike team, and beginning a new, two-year agreement with Yamaha U.S., is Monster Energy. Keith McCarty, Motorsports Racing Division Manager for Yamaha said, "We've had a fantastic working relationship with Monster Energy over the past couple of years, and we're thrilled that they are continuing as title sponsor of our SuperBike team, in addition to being an associate sponsor of our Daytona SportBike team. Monster is a premier brand in the energy drink market that aligns perfectly with Yamaha. Both companies embrace the spirit of competition and, together, Monster Energy and Yamaha have shared two AMA Pro Racing SuperBike championships, along with many wins in the Daytona SportBike series. We're looking forward to even greater success as we begin this renewed relationship with Monster."
Back for his fifth season with the Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha SuperBike team, and still burning with a feverish desire to lead every lap, earn every pole, and win every race, is three-time and defending AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike Champion Josh Hayes. 2012 was a phenomenal year for Josh, as he set single-season records for the most SuperBike wins, the most consecutive SuperBike wins, and the most SuperBike poles. In addition, he moved into second place in all-time career SuperBike championships, all-time career SuperBike wins, and he's just one pole win out of second place in all-time career pole positions.
Is he humble? Yes. Is he satisfied? Not on your life. During the off-season, Josh signed a two-year contract to stay with Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha because he loves the team and he still feels that he's got a lot of unfinished business to attend to. "My R1 is a six-speed, but I think I've still got another gear inside of me. I certainly don't lack for motivation, I can tell you that. When we line up at Daytona, it's another season and my past three championships sort of go away. It's all about this year. This race. This lap. I'll be ready."
The Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha SuperBike team goes into 2013 with a two-Josh lineup once again, as Josh Herrin returns for his 8th year with Yamaha and 10th year of racing a Yamaha professionally.
2012 was Josh's rookie year in SuperBike, and he quickly proved to be one of Josh Hayes' most formidable challengers. The younger Josh got the holeshot in a number of races, led some laps, and earned Rookie of the Year honors in AMA Pro Racing's premier class.
2013 will be a pivotal year for Josh, as he looks to make that next step in his career by notching wins in SuperBike. He admits that it won't be easy. "Josh (Hayes) is an awesome teammate to have because he really pushes me to be the best I can be. He's the three-time champ, and we're riding the same bike, so I know that, if I'm going to win races this season, he's the man to beat."
Look for Josh Hayes aboard the #1 Monster Energy/Graves/Yamaha R1 and Josh Herrin piloting the identically liveried #2 Yamaha SuperBike beginning at Daytona in March.
Yamaha Extended Service/Graves/Yamaha Daytona SportBike
The Daytona SportBike team continues into 2013 with Yamaha Extended Service as its title sponsor for the third consecutive year and, according to Colin Haugh who heads up the Y.E.S. program, the partnership has been a win-win. "Being the title sponsor for Yamaha's DSB team has really helped to increase awareness of Yamaha Extended Service as a brand, as well as getting the word out about the many benefits that Yamaha Extended Service provides to Yamaha's owners and riders throughout the U.S. At the same time, the team has been highly successful in DSB competition. We're looking forward to big things out of the team in 2013."
Cameron Beaubier had a memorable 2012 season in AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike as he faced more than his fair share of challenges–in the form of untimely injuries–yet he still managed to put together a remarkable season, in which he won two poles and seven races, including his breakthrough double win at Barber Motorsports Park on the same weekend that he earned his first career DSB pole.
Cameron was fast right out of the gate at Daytona last year, and he ultimately finished third in the Daytona 200. Back aboard his #6 Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha YZF-R6 for 2013, Cameron is the odds-on favorite to not only get his first Daytona 200 win, but also capture his first Daytona SportBike season championship.
"Hopefully, I got all that out of my system," Cameron said about his injury-filled 2012 season. "I was happy to get seven wins, but I can't help but wonder what could have been. I'm looking forward to the 2013 season like no other. I feel like a new person, and I can't wait to get racing again. There are a lot of great riders in Daytona SportBike, including my teammate Garrett, so I'm excited for the season to start."
Another rider who faced a formidable injury-related challenge in 2012 was Garrett Gerloff. The fractured femur that Garrett suffered in the first practice session at Daytona last year essentially netted the young Texas phenom a "do-over." He had to sit out most of the season, but he returned to racing at the final two rounds of 2012, knocked the rust off very quickly, and won the final AMA Pro Motorcycle-Superstore.com SuperSport race of the year at NOLA Motorsports Park.
"That final race of the season at NOLA last year was a big boost for me," said Garrett. "I waited so long to get back on the bike, and it all came good in New Orleans. But, this season, I've got a score to settle with Daytona after what happened last year, and you better believe that I want at it."
Garrett has been training like a man possessed during this off-season, and he'll be ready to show up at Daytona aboard his #8 Y.E.S./Graves/Yamaha R6 and challenge his teammate Cameron, as well as the rest of the DSB field, for wins.
More Gravy With Graves
Celebrating their 15th year working together, Graves Motorsports and the Yamaha U.S. Road Racing Teams has been a highly successful partnership. Keith McCarty said, "I can't say enough about what Chuck Graves and Graves Motorsports have meant to our team. It's a close relationship focused on one thing, and that's winning. The Graves Motorsports components that we use on our R1 and R6 have proven time and time again to be integral to our success. And the professionalism and expertise that Chuck and his crew bring to our team was a big reason why Yamaha won the Manufacturer's Championship, as well as the Team Championship last year.
"In addition to our continuing relationship with Graves Motorsports, I'm very proud that each and every one of our team partners from last year is back with us again this year. Their loyalty to our program is much appreciated and a key to our success."
About this year's lineup of riders, Keith said, "First and foremost, we're a family, and our four riders are like my kids. I care deeply about them, as I do about everyone on our teams, and I'm so proud of all of them. Josh Hayes has an opportunity to continue re-writing the history books this season and possibly win his fourth championship in a row. Josh Herrin has a successful year under his belt in SuperBike, and I have no doubt that he's going to give Josh Hayes a run for his money.
"And, in Daytona SportBike, Cameron Beaubier and Garrett Gerloff fought through a lot of adversity last year, and they're both better for their efforts. We've got high hopes for Cameron and Garrett this season, starting with the Daytona 200 in March. It's going to be a great season for our two teams, our four riders, our valued partners, and all of us at Yamaha. We can't wait."

subset: commoncrawl


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Dark Vintage Wash Bootcut Jeans
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Does what it says on the tin. The bootcut is best partnered up with a well-loved pair of boots and shirt to give you that classic off-duty look. With a straight fit from waist to knee with extra room at the ankle, they're rugged and ready for any occasion.
- Bootcut length
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Caring about cotton100% of the cotton used for our cotton clothing products is sustainably sourced. Read more here.
Product code: 945686
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text:
What can you do about bad breath?
|Want to Fix Bad Breath?
Bad breath, formally known as halitosis, is not just an uncomfortable and embarrassing condition: it may be a sign of a dental health issue or a medical disorder.
Bad breath can be caused by a number of factors. We all know that certain foods, such as garlic, can lead to an unpleasant odor on the breath. This is not just the result of food residue in the mouth, but often comes from the lungs after food is absorbed into the bloodstream. Factors other than pungent food which may contribute to bad breath include:
- Improper dental hygiene leading to bacteria in the mouth
- Improperly cleaned dentures
- Gum (periodontal) disease
- Dry mouth (xerostomia)
- Some medications
- Tobacco
In some cases, bad breath can be caused by medical disorders. Medical conditions that may lead to halitosis include local respiratory tract infections, sinusitis, postnasal drip, diabetes, liver or kidney ailments, bronchitis, and gastrointestinal disturbance. If your dentist can find no oral health issues that lead to your bad breath, you may be referred to a physician.
So, how can you combat bad breath? Regular brushing and flossing are the best ways to prevent bad breath and to cleanse the mouth of any food residue that may cause halitosis. Mouthwashes are effective for a short while, as are over-the-counter breath fresheners like mints, breath spray, and breath drops. Many people find that chewing on fresh mint leaves or parsley also helps them get rid of bad breath. It is also helpful to drink plenty of water to fight bad breath. If none of these remedies work for you, your dentist may be able to recommend or prescribe specialty products to help alleviate bad breath. If you would like to talk to a dentist about bad breath, contact us today!
Our staff of dental professionals are dedicated to helping you achieve your dental wellness objectives. Thank you for subscribing to our dental wellness newsletter.


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So why is Dolphins owner Stephen Ross keeping Joe Philbin after ditching Jeff Ireland and Mike Sherman, rather than letting the new general manager pick the coach? Ross respects Philbin's integrity, his organizational skills, the way he carries himself.
And some of Ross' closest associates, including Carl Peterson, have told him that Philbin is not the problem. And there's this: Ireland had the larger body of underwhelming work; Philbin --- who has multiple years left on his contract --- has had four fewer years to fail.
But if Ross polled a wide range of players and others for feedback about Philbin and this coaching staff, he would get mixed reviews. He also would be confronted with this question: What special skill does Philbin bring to the job?
"There's not great respect for the coaching staff there," said a close associate of several Dolphins players.
"Criticism of the coaches is consistent with everyone I talk to on the team," said another associate. "You have some assistants who weren't experienced or comfortable in their jobs. Some players said they didn't learn much. It's pretty disconcerting."
And… "There's not a lot of great teaching there," said another close associate who speaks regularly with several Dolphins.
Let's be clear: There are some coaches on this staff who do good work and are deserving of their jobs, including Kacy Rodgers (defensive line) and Darren Rizzi (special teams). Tight ends coach Dan Campbell has done a commendable job with Charles Clay.
Dolphins players generally like defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle, but some believe Rodgers should be the coordinator, and the front office was unhappy Coyle didn't find more ways to use Dion Jordan.
But this is troubling: One offensive player said he hasn't learned a single thing from his position coach. Another who has been on the team during Philbin's tenure said the assistant receiver's coach, Phil McGeoghan, does a much better job than receivers coach Ken O'Keefe, and questioned O'Keefe's acumen for the job. (O'Keefe previously was the offensive coordinator at Iowa and worked three years with Philbin there.)
O'Keefe, like several of Philbin's hires, had a personal connection to Philbin, which made him appealing despite not having any NFL experience. Aside from coordinators, nine of the 12 coaches that Philbin has hired had never worked in the NFL.
One of the three who did, linebackers coach George Edwards, left for the Vikings last week and didn't exactly get the most from his players here. And now Philbin has subtracted his most experienced coach in Sherman, whose work also drew criticism from players.
As for Philbin, a lot of players like him personally. What you don't hear are words such as "innovative" or "dynamic leader."
One player complained that teams take on the personality of their coach and said because Philbin is flat and unemotional, the team too often plays like that. That has become a serious concern, but it goes beyond Philbin's lack of motivational skills. Another said his personality better fits a coordinator.
"Players don't see him as a really good X's and O's guy," said one of the players' close associates. "He's just an organizational guy who's on top of the scheduling and planning."
A prominent network analyst who asked not to be named said Ross was fooled if he thought he was getting an offensive savant in Philbin. "His background is offensive line," the analyst said, adding that Philbin wasn't the coach primarily developing Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. (And we all know how this offensive line turned out.)
When asked last year what he likes about a particular player (Chris Clemons), Philbin said: "He keeps his mouth [shut]."
That philosophy is why Philbin either wanted to dump or was perfectly fine with losing productive players who spoke out, from Brandon Marshall to Reggie Bush to Karlos Dansby – all of whom were highly productive elsewhere. Ireland, of course, also had a major part in this.
There are some people in the Dolphins front office who see the deficiencies in Philbin and this staff, but Ross believes Philbin is part of the solution.
Regardless of whether Philbin survives beyond 2014, the GM and the coaching staff must have more of a common vision of players and how to use them.
"There was a huge disconnect between the coaches and management," said one person who spoke several times to Ireland. "Jeff was frustrated. He thought his rookies should be on the field more."
Instead, they played less than any rookie class in the league, because the coaches didn't quite see in them what Ireland did.
Perhaps new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor will infuse some creative ideas. He has been an offensive coordinator only in college (Buffalo and Virginia), but he's highly-regarded.
Lazor's offenses at Virginia (2010-12) used a lot of motions, shifts and formations and tried to disguise plays.
"It's an offense that takes a lot of time and a lot of work on trying to solve the puzzle," former Auburn coach Gene Chizik said during Lazor's tenure at Virginia. "It's very problematic in a lot of ways because you have to limit what you can do [defensively]."
Iowa assistant Jim Reid, Virginia's defensive coordinator during Lazor's tenure there, said the offshoot of Lazor's disguises and formations is "it's hard to get a beat on how you would like to blitz them."
At Virginia, Lazor said: "Teams know we're going to run the power play. We just don't want to make it look like the power play." (Or, presumably, say "go-go" before running plays.)
Lazor ran a pro-style offense at Virginia but has considerable experience in the West Coast offense with Chip Kelly and earlier with Mike Holmgren.
By the way, Philbin hasn't completely ruled out additional staff changes, according to an associate. Offensive line coach Jim Turner's status could be impacted by Ted Wells' report on the Jonathan Martin/Richie Incognito scandal.
### CBS' Jason LaCanfora reported Saturday night that candidates for the Dolphins general manager job have been kept in the dark and that Ross is now headed to London for a week and then China. He said some teams who have candidates up for the job aren't happy how slowly the process is going.
### Though Philbin had interest in former Texans coach Gary Kubiak for the Dolphins' offensive coordinator job before hiring Lazor, an associate said Kubiak has told people he doesn't plan to coach next season.
### Browns receiver Davone Bess' peculiar behavior in his final months as a Dolphin, as detailed in Saturday's Herald, also included firing and re-hiring his agent, and asking for a trade than then retracting that request, according to an associate.
### There are mixed views inside the Heat about whether to pursue center Andrew Bynum. Miami has considered it, and it hasn't been ruled out. But one Heat official said there are be concerns about how it would affect Greg Oden, who has done everything the Heat has asked, because Miami wants to give him minutes.
This is not the same Bynum who played for the Lakers. Before being released, Bynum had the second-lowest shooting percentage among 60 NBA center (41.9), was in the bottom third in rebounds-per-48 minutes, and the Cavaliers were outscored by 127 with Bynum on the court.
### Bynum would make sense only if Oden has a setback or struggles, or if the Heat decides to play a lot of the game with a true center (Oden, Chris Andersen or Bynum) and Chris Bosh at power forward. Heading into the weekend, a lineup with Bosh and Andersen had outscored teams by 43 in 89 minutes and was shooting five percentage points better and rebounding much better than the Heat does overall.
Conversely, before playing well in Philadelphia Friday, the regular starting lineup (featuring Shane Battier at power forward) has been outscored since the start of December when playing together.
"But if you go big, you really lack the offensive flow Battier gives them," TNT's Steve Kerr said off the air.
Small-ball, which leaves Miami vulnerable on the boards, works only if the Heat is defending effectively (it hadn't been, entering the weekend) and shooting well. And Battier (40.9) and Ray Allen (42.1) each have shot three percentage points below their career averages.
### Mario Cristobal, who angered a bunch of people at UM when he bolted after less than two months on Al Golden's staff to take a job with Alabama, continues to spend time and energy trying to flip UM oral commitments. The latest: Chad Thomas, UM's highest-rated prospect. Thomas, rated the nation's No. 1 defensive end, said he's mulling whether to visit Alabama and also has been considering a visit to FSU. But he remains orally commited to Miami..
Three-star defensive tackle Lamont Galliard, a Georgia oral commitment, reportedly will visit Miami.... Three-star Tampa-based receiver/cornerback Deiondre Porter decommitted from USF and is considering UM, Rutgers, Georgia, UF and UCF. He's scheduled to visit UM on Jan. 31... Running back Kameron McKnight, a 6-2, 220-pound three-star prospect from Jackson, La., told rivals.com he's considering a UM offer. UM has been looking for a big back in this class, to complement the smaller, quicker four-star prospect, Joseph Yearby.
### Barring further moves, the Marlins' payroll will end up around $45 million, including $7 million still due the Diamondbacks in the Heath Bell trade. The Marlins began last season with a payroll of $48.6 million, but $12.5 million of that was for players who weren't on the team. So this year's on-field payroll will be slightly higher, but still among the lowest in baseball.
### Twitter: flasportsbuzz


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The US Navy has a problem. Its ships often stay at sea for months on end far away from home. To keep its fleet of ships, boats and aircraft running, a fleet of 15 oil tankers roams the globe acting like floating gas stations. According to the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) nearly 600 million gallons (2,700 million litres) of fuel were delivered to Navy vessels in 2011.
Moving those tanks of oil is an expensive business and that is even before the cost of the oil itself is factored in. Over recent years, the price of oil has fluctuated wildly, but has generally been on an upward trend. Throw in the fact that many of the large oil-producing nations are generally situated in volatile regions of the world, and you begin to understand why the Navy is interested in cutting its dependence on oil.
One of the most interesting lines it is pursuing is a plan to generate jet fuel from a source that is abundance wherever the fleet is: seawater.
Jet fuel, along with all other common fuels, is a hydrocarbon. As the name suggests, these are chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms. In theory if you can combine those two elements in the correct way you can produce a fuel. It turns out that seawater is a good source of both ingredients – it contains hydrogen in the H20, and a lot of dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2). It also has the advantage of occurring in abundance - and for the Navy - close to the action.
"The ocean contains about 100mg per litre of CO2," explains the NRL's Dr Heather Willauer. "It's about 140 times more concentrated in sea water than it is in the air."
Dr Willauer has developed a machine to grab those raw ingredients directly from sea. "We have an electrochemical unit. We feed it seawater, we acidify the seawater, and what comes out of the cell is oxygen, CO2, and hydrogen," she says.
The oxygen is released, and the other two gasses are combined to make a liquid fuel.
"You take those components (CO2 and hydrogen), and use a catalytic process, for a gas to liquid type reaction," she adds. The basics are similar to the descriptions of a process for converting water and air into petrol, that grabbed headlines last week.
If both sound too good to be true, then you would be right. There is a catch. According to the first law of thermodynamics, nothing comes for free. To get useful energy out, you need to put useful energy in to the system. It is like combustion in reverse. Energy is needed to break the water and the carbon dioxide down into constituent parts and then more energy – and time – is needed to form the hydrocarbon.
"We do have to have a power source to supply the electricity for the electrochemical process," admits Dr Willauer. That could come from solar or – more likely - the nuclear reactors already onboard many ships.
The system would also only have marginal environmental benefits. It would reduce the burden of moving fuel around, but that may be offset by the production process. And, in the end, it would still produce traditional fuel with its associated emissions when burnt. For the Navy, this is more about convenience.
'Chicken power'
At the moment a 1.5mx1.5m (5ftx5ft) prototype is installed onshore at an NRL engineering facility in Key West, Florida. It has been using seawater from the Gulf of Mexico to test the conversion process and is now focused on optimising the technology and scaling it up. They are also beginning to think about the engineering challenges of putting a system to sea.
"Because we are developing technologies to potentially be used by the Navy, that goes into the technology when we develop it," says Dr Willauer. "We want to make sure it has as small a footprint, and a small a size as possible, and keep those constraints in mind."
The team is also willing to stick its neck out and predict a cost for jet fuel produced by the process of $3 to $6 per gallon.
If they were able to keep to that cost – and there are plenty of people who think that the real cost would be much higher – it would give it the edge over another fuel the Navy is currently experimenting with.
Earlier this summer, the Navy ran its first large-scale exercise fuelled by a $12m blend of biofuels produced from everything from chicken bones to algae. The Pacific demonstration was part of a project known as Great Green Fleet. During the manoeuvres, F/A-18 Super Hornets and other aircraft screamed off the flight deck of the USS Nimitz over the Pacific Ocean powered by conventional jet fuel mixed with the biofuels. Two destroyers and a cruiser also ploughed the oceans fuelled by a similar mix.
All went well with the exercise, until the costs came in. The biofuel mix cost around $26 per gallon ($6 per litre), significantly more than the $3.50 per gallon ($1 per litre) paid for regular fuel. Critics pointed out that the Navy's job was defending the US, not helping the emerging biofuel industry bring down its costs, a point that has been compounded by looming defence cuts. For now, the Navy is continuing with its vision and has reiterated its commitment to have half of its fleet powered by alternative energy sources by 2020.
But don't expect that fleet to be accompanied by refueling ships, sucking in seawater. That research is far behind the biofuel work. It will take six to eight years for the NRL to fully develop the seawater idea, depending on funding. And then it will take many more years to build working systems. By then, the Great Green Fleet may have already sailed.
If you would like to comment on this article or anything else you have seen on Future, head over to our Facebook page or message us on Twitter.


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New Toller Litter!
We offer dog breeding and dog training services in Houston, Texas. Our dog training services range from basic household obedience to more advanced applications, such as training for film and television productions.
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The Windows Registry is an enormous batch of files containing information about almost everything that occurs on the computer, from a visit to a Web site to a program installation. The registry also contains information about drivers and other essential programs, like DLLs — small helper programs that often work with more than one application. This information is stored in the form of "keys" that help programs run. It's like a big blueprint for where everything goes on your computer and how it all fits together. Only computers running Windows operating systems have registries, and despite rumors to the contrary, Windows 7 will have a registry.
A registry may have hundreds of thousands of entries, and new entries are created all the time. As it fills with information, the registry may cause a computer's performance to suffer. One problem is that Windows almost never removes registry entries, even if a program is uninstalled, as most uninstallers aren't able to effectively remove their own registry keys. And as files are moved around and programs are uninstalled, some registry keys point to programs or files that no longer exist or are located elsewhere.
Fortunately, these errors don't have to be tolerated. The registry can be cleaned up, though not completely. And for your troubles, you may get better performance and decreased boot time. Some satisfied users report fewer instances of lag or Windows hanging (when the computer isn't responding). The exact performance boost varies depending on the state of the registry and the effectiveness of the cleaner program employed. You may also free up disk space, although most registry entries are very small.
Registry cleaning is not without risks. This is a very sensitive area of your computer, and if you're happy with how your computer is running, don't go digging around. Trying to manually edit your registry can create errors in the registry that make it impossible to load Windows. Some registry-cleaning programs have been known to delete important registry keys or essential DLL files. And the performance improvements may be negligible, while running the program and approving each recommended deletion could take hours. In addition, reliable data on how registry cleaners affect performance are almost impossible to find. Most "performance tests" are actually produced by the developers of registry-cleaning tools.
Despite these concerns, it is possible to clean out some of the registry's gunk, and your computer may be better off for it. On the next page, we'll take a look at how to go about this delicate job.
Notice: Microsoft Error 0xC0262582 happens when your Software Registry is corrupt, system files get damaged from various causes. This is a common problem with computers that don't get maintained regularly. Eventually the system becomes overloaded with problems and begins to crash displaying System Errors.
Debugging and error handling.
Support for profiling the performance of your apps.
Support for troubleshooting and error reporting.
System monitoring and event notification.
Network monitoring and diagnostics.
Assessment of system state.
Recommended Solution: We recommend you download our system configuration tool. It is designed to diagnose problems on your computer and fix them in just a few minutes with only a few mouse clicks.
Download 0xC0262582 System Tool
|File Size: 8 MB Compatible: Windows XP/Vista/7/8 (x32/x64-BIT)
File Size: 8 MB Compatible: Windows XP/Vista/7/8 (32/64-BIT)
Instructions to diagnose and fix Windows Errors problems:
Please follow the following 3 steps to diagnose and fix your problem:
STEP 1: Download Windows 0xC0262582 Repair Tool and Install
STEP 2: Open the Tool, and click the "SCAN" button
STEP 3: Click the "FIX" Button to Fix the Problems
Note: With all the new additional features now included in the repair tool, you will be able to optimize your system to run even faster and stable. It's not unusual to see an increase of 95%+ in performance.
Operating System Compatibility:Windows XP/Vista/7 / 8 (32/64BIT)
Download Size: 8 MB
Version 2014
Pro Support: Yes
System Error Codes (0-499)
System Error Codes (500-999)
System Error Codes (1000-1299)
System Error Codes (1300-1699)
System Error Codes (1700-3999)
System Error Codes (4000-5999)
System Error Codes (6000-8199)
System Error Codes (8200-8999)
System Error Codes (9000-11999)
System Error Codes (12000-15999)
Use of these codes requires some amount of investigation and analysis.


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Just finished some art for Comics Alliance this last weekend. It's a fake cover concepted and written by Chris Simms. Below is my B&W work. Can you find what I consider an error? (Well, aside from the fact I forgot to sign my name, and I made the swastikas backwards. [I did that because I really didn't want to draw real ones.]) I fixed it before it posted on CA. I'll tell you the answer in the comments section.
Now head on over to CA and check out the fully colored version..!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The Avengers' Secret Santa
Posted by Kerry Callen at 8:21 PM
Labels: Avengers, Callen art, comic books, Marvel Comics, superhero
6 comments:
- Kerry Callen said...
What mistake did I make? I totally missed drawing Hawkeye's body! I was drawing really fast...
- December 13, 2011 at 8:24 PM
You might want to consider drawing actual Nazi swastikas if you're trying to take a jab at Captain America. Remember, swastikas were a religious symbol before Hitler gave it a more ominous meaning.
- December 14, 2011 at 8:59 AM
- dshultz said...
This is great! I'd have given Tony a bottle of whiskey, though. Much crueler.
- December 14, 2011 at 3:30 PM
- Derrick Scooby Canyon said...
hahaha.. 3d for nick fury.. xD
So funny!...
- December 30, 2011 at 1:42 PM
Oh wow, Captain America hates his Buddhist socks. :(
- December 2, 2012 at 10:54 PM
It was either Quicksilver or Namor.
- November 16, 2014 at 10:44 PM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Terms & Conditions: Playskool Showcam
1. Entry is only open to Australian residents 18 years of age and over. Employees and their immediate families of Elwin Media and all agencies associated with the competition are not eligible to enter.
2. Instructions on 'How to Enter' form part of these Conditions of entry.
3. No responsibility is accepted for late entries.
4. Entry to competition closes on January 16, 2014 at 5.00pm AEDST. The Promoter is not responsible for any lost, late or misdirected entries.
5. Judging will take place at 12.00pm on January 17, 2014 at 50a Central Avenue Mosman NSW 2088. Winners will be notified by email.
6. This is a competition of merit/skill. The best entry will win and chance plays no part in determining winner/s. The judge's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
7. Six winners will each receive a Playskool Showcam each valued at RRP$84.99. Total prize package is valued at RRP $509.94.
8.The prize must be taken as stated and no compensation will be payable if a winner is unable to use the prize as stated. Prize is not exchangeable or redeemable for cash or other goods or services. If a winner decides not to take the prize, it will be forfeited.
9. The Promoter shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered (including, but not limited to, indirect or consequential loss) or for personal injury suffered or sustained as a result of accepting the prize.
10. The Promoter has the right to alter the terms of the competition at its discretion, throughout the duration of the competition.
11. The Promoter is Out & About with Kids. Out & About with Kids is published by Elwin Media ABN 22 159 093 606.
12. Certain personal information is requested on registering your entry, including your name and email address. Some of this information (including sensitive information) is essential for us to be able to accurately identify who is eligible for entry and as such is mandatory. Other types of information are collected to help us profile who is using these services and what their interests are. Information of this type is optional and need only be filled in if you wish to do so. We value your trust in Out & About with Kids. Your information will be held in the strictest confidence. The information we collect from your use of our site enables us to provide a better service that is tailored to your needs and helps us to identify the areas of our site that are popular and those that are not.
13. Out & About with Kids may share non-personal, aggregate information about our visitors and members with unrelated third parties, including sponsors and advertisers. Out & About with Kids will not share personally identifiable information about any visitor and / or member with unrelated third parties without obtaining the consent of such visitor and / or member.
14. Out & About with Kids will not sell or disclose your personal information to unrelated third parties without your consent. However, on particular pages where we ask for your personal information, we may explicitly tell you that the data we are collecting on that page might be shared with third parties, such as our sponsors or parties providing services to our visitors and / or members. In such cases, your act of disclosure of your personal information shall be deemed as your specific consent and shall override anything to the contrary in this policy statement and / or Terms and Conditions. Further information can be found in our Privacy Policy.


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EFT Corporation greatly appreciates the opportunity to serve our customers. We are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our potential, current and former customers' information. All information obtained from our customers will be used solely for the purpose of providing the services mutually agreed upon.
When you visit our website, you can do so without telling us who you are or revealing any information about yourself. The only information we collect is that which you provide voluntarily. This information may include: name, organization name, e-mail address and phone number. We will only use these contact details in order to respond with information you have requested, such as product specifications or fee schedules.
We do not release any customer information to outside independent telemarketing or direct mail marketing firms. Customer information is shared with our affiliate companies, outside vendors and/or parties only when disclosure of such information is necessary to complete account set-up, process transactions, and to perform such services as are requested by you or when applicable law or legal authority requires that such information be disclosed.
We have established physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect our customer's privacy. One of the ways we protect our customer information is by limiting access to information to those employees who have a business reason to access the information. In addition, we train our employees about the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of customer information. We take appropriate disciplinary action to enforce our employees' privacy responsibilities.
"EFT Corp has enabled us to take donations electronically for years. It's so easy, there's no maintenance, and it is seamless with our direct mail programs. The donors love this option. We couldn't do what we do without EFT."
"EFT is our preferred way of collecting fees. It's really easy and our Account Representative has been great to work with. I get an immediate response when I have questions and I think the company is top-notch."
"We checked out several other corporations, some huge ones that offered lower rates (at least at first look). We crunched the numbers all kinds of ways on the fees. In the end we felt like the whole package offered by EFT was great, plus they understand the nonprofit/church scene, etc. Their service has been great--very prompt."


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Ours MIDI File
MIDI File Download Ours - Taylor Swift
- Item Code: HTX0153
- Composer: Taylor Swift
- In the style of: taylor swift
- Category: Country MIDI Files Backing Tracks
Ours Karaoke MIDI File in the style of Taylor Swift
Ours MIDI File is a popular song recorded by Taylor Swift and ...
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Video for Ours by Taylor Swift
Watch Ours in the style of Taylor Swift video for a preview of this backing track. The audio file used in this video is an MP3 render of the Hit Trax MIDI File backing track. Some tracks may include sampled instruments from high quality sample libraries. Most times we record the audio direct from the outputs of a MIDI File player like a MERISH, Okyweb, Roland or Yamaha device.
TECHNICAL NOTES for Ours in the style of Taylor Swift. Sonic results may vary in different MIDI File players and devices, including sound libraries. Hit Trax assumes buyers know the capabilities and limitations of their MIDI playback devices, sound library, related devices and apps. Click the 'Show all Taylor Swift MIDI File Backing Tracks box'. to view all Hit Trax titles by Taylor Swift.


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Hidden gem in lower Punchbowl
If you work in the Punchbowl area, this newly listed, hidden gem may be just the ticket. Located on the mauka side of Vineyard Boulevard, across from Queen's Hospital, the three-bedroom, two-bath condo in The Rose at Lusitana puts you within walking distance of almost anything downtown.
With 1,326 square feet, it affords spacious living for the professional couple with children or, possibly, if you've got an amicable relationship – an in-law. Built in 1982, the 15-unit building has an owner/occupancy ratio of 80 percent – almost unheard of.
The large living/dining areas have laminate flooring and an office/library nook just off to the side, great for a computer setup or for shelving all those hardbacks you've been hoarding for years.
The kitchen features a typical pass-through counter, along with a unique touch: Koa wood cabinetry.
The owner, who originally bought the place to live with his ailing father, replaced all the carpeting in the bedrooms last year. Recent renovations to both bathrooms mean you shouldn't have to worry about stretching your budget for fix-ups anytime soon. The master bath even has a sit-down vanity area to get ready for your close-up.
Although this is a corner "penthouse" unit, those with vertigo need not worry as this is a low-rise building with three floors. Unlike most buildings of this type, there is a keyed elevator, and the entire property is also enclosed with a fence and keyed gates for added security, in addition to a fairly thorough CCTV system.
As expected, the condo comes with two covered stalls, an in-unit washer/dryer and new window air conditioners in the bedrooms. Monthly fees, on par with units of this size, include water/sewer and basic cable and one bonus: Oceanic Roadrunner Internet.
The condo will be opening for viewing Sunday. (Click here for details and watch a video tour here.)
Money talk: $520,000 fee simple
Contact: Khai Tran, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties, 808-392-8822, email@example.com


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How much did you pay for the last item of clothing you purchased? Was it a bargain? As The New York Times reports: "As consumers adjust to soaring prices for gasoline, food, education and medical care, just about the only thing that seems a bargain today is clothes - mainstream clothes, anyway." Part of the reason stuff is so affordable? Most of it is made overseas. In a piece for Forbes, Lauren Sherman writes: "Unless you're a 19-year-old with a closet full of American Apparel items, it's very rare to see the words 'Made in the U.S.A.' stamped on the tag of your shirt." Even Coach bags are made in China.
While gas prices climb higher and higher, the Times' Eric Wilson explains:
Clothing is one of the few categories in the federal Consumer Price Index in which overall prices have declined - about 10 percent - since 1998 (the cost of communication is another). That news may be of solace to anyone whose budget has been stretched just to drive to work or to stop at the supermarket; in fashion, at least, there are still deals to be had.
Of course, sometimes the "deals" come from manufacturers in China who move elsewhere (in China or out of the country) when their workers demand higher pay. Or maybe you wear Victoria's Secret underwear, made in Sri Lanka, by "skilled and educated" women working in a country torn by war, terrorism and racism. Or! Your "deal" could come from a company like Zara, which manufactures its clothing in La Coruña, Spain. "Because the company does its own manufacturing," Sherman explains, "The clothes reach the sales floor more quickly and efficiently, thus serving more consumers."
The truth is whether we're in a recession or not, all brands just want you to buy their stuff. You may not need it, but they need you to want it. So they're going to price accordingly. "We as a business cannot afford to have a customer take a second look and ask, 'Do I need this?'" Bud Konheim, CEO of Nicole Miller tells the Times. "That is the kiss of death. We're finished, because nobody really needs anything we make as a total industry."
Dress for Less and Less [NY Times]
Who Makes The Clothes On Your Back? [Forbes]
Lingerie And Terror [Economist]
Earlier: The Gap Is Dead; Long Live H&M. So Do You Buy More Or Less Regrettable Clothing Now?
Shocker: Not All Luxuries Are Created Equal


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Cover FX
Power Play Foundation 35ml
- bvseo_sdk, dw_cartridge, 17.1.0, p_sdk_3.2.0
- CLOUD, getAggregateRating, 116ms
- reviews, product
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Product Actions
- Sign in to add to Wish List
This item is worth 190 loyalty pointsSign up to Liberty Loyalty to see your purchases converted into vouchers you can spend in-store or online.
- Product features
- Editor's notes
- About
- Delivery
Product features
- 35ml
- Suitable for oily to combination skin
- Available in pink, neutral or golden undertones
- Medium to full coverage
- Modern matte finish
- Fully buildable and blendable
- Formulated with a trio of micro-fine powders
- Offers protection from environmental aggressors
- Sweat-proof, waterproof and transfer-proof
- Vegan; Cruelty-Free; Free from Parabens, Sulfates, Pthalates, Fragrance, Gluten, Mineral Oil, Talc
Apply using clean fingertips, a brush or a makeup sponge. For brush application, dispense a small amount of Power Play Foundation onto a liquid foundation brush and apply to the face, blending outwards from the centre. Set with loose powder for optimum results.
Editor's notes
Power Play Foundation from Cover FX is a cult liquid foundation with a wealth of benefits, including weightless medium to full coverage, waterproof, all day wear, powerful shine control and environmental protection, all concealed behind a modern matte finish.
As if sweat-resistant, waterproof, long-lasting wear wasn't enough, this must-have skin solution is also vegan, cruelty-free and void of all skin-harming chemicals. Available in 40 diverse shades, this buildable, blendable foundation is formulated using a trio of ultra-fine powders that simultaneously control shine, visibly blur imperfections and remain intact all day long without drying or dulling-down the complexion. Add it to your daily line-up for beautifully flawless makeup look.
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- CLOUD, getContent, 11ms
- reviews, product
- bvseo-msg: Unsuccessful GET. status = '{0}', msg = {1};


text:
San Juan, PR, US
see all...Viewing 3 out of 11 projects
Cuadrado Alfombras, San Juan, PR, US, Freelancer Product Designer
-Designed the carpet pattern for the Direct TV building using 11 different tile samples and styles
-Created design plans, sketches and specifications of tile amount required per design.
PUCPR, Ponce, PR, US, Lecturer, Digital Design Consultant
-Lectured, taught, and assisted students to develop critical thinking and to apply design strategies considering life safety, accessibility, context and culture.
-Developed agendas to help third year architecture students evolve Fundamental Design, Visual communication, Technical Documentation, Applied Research, Sustainability, Pre-Design and Site Design skills.
-Developed agendas to help second year architecture students evolve their Ordering Systems, Fundamental Design, Investigative, Visual Communication and Design Thinking skills.
-Integrate BIM tools into the construction area such as Structures and Architecture to develop parametric models for elements of performative facades and curtain walls.
-Taught students to explore, analyze and intervene upon historical architecture both as individual elements and pieces within districts, zones, regions and contemporary community.
-Expanded the student's notion of 3D modeling with advanced representation, use of materials, construction systems, detailing and contextual animation.
Freelancer Interior Designer, Guaynabo, PR, US, Freelancer Interior Decorator
Various Clients, Private Residences (Locations: GA, FL, VA, PR)
-Confer with clients to determine requirement and budgets
-Explore and determine spaces to determine logistics
-Advise clients on selecting designs and materials
-Manage sub-contraction for fabrication and installation of materials
-Plan and design interiors based on clients' needs
Freelancer Interior Designer, San Juan, PR, US, Freelancer Interior Designer
Private Clients Residential Projects (Locations: GA, FL, PR)
-Developed planning concepts and documentation for several housing remodeling projects.
-Developed different bathroom and kitchen layout design
-Designed bathroom and kitchen furniture.
-Participate in construction administration
-Managed client expectations and consultant coordination
Cue & Lopez Contractor Inc, San Juan, PR, US, Freelancer Architectural & Interior Designer
-Worked through the conceptual design, schematic design, design development and construction documents of institutional buildings.
-Responsible of incorporating sustainable techniques in institutional buildings.
RH Consultants, San Juan, PR, US, Freelancer Architectural Designer
-Worked through the conceptual design, schematic design, design development and construction documents of commercial and hospitality buildings.
-Responsible for incorporation of sustainable and environmental design techniques.
-Created mood boards, 3D presentations and documentation for the design of a hospitality building
-Selected materials, furniture and lightning.
-Assisted to meetings with owner, contractors and vendors.
Freelancer Furniture Designer, San Juan, PR, US, Freelancer Furniture Designer
Various Clients
-Designed and created construction plans and specifications for kitchen and bathroom cabinetry
-Designed and created construction drawings and specifications for bedroom furniture
-Designed and created drawings and specifications for dining room furniture
-Designed lighting fixtures.
Freelancer Landscape Designer, Miami, FL, US, Freelancer Landscape Designer
-Designed Residential landscape and exterior areas (pool, bar and kitchen)
-Contributed to fieldwork on project construction
-Oversaw construction on final project design on site
NOP Group, Guaynabo, PR, US, Environmental Planner and Environmental Designer
-Assisted clients with the environmental manual, and city permits needed prior and during the construction phase.
-Draw plans, according to requirements
-Performed site visits and worked on site documentation.
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA, US, MArch, Architecture
The fundamental and experiential foundation of the School of Building Arts (SBA) and the architecture department, specifically, lies within the studio-based courses that provide an integral and hands-on approach to teaching future professionals. The importance of this structure, both within the department and outside, in the professional world of building arts creates a necessity for the studio physical environment to be conducive for the formulation of ideals of creativity and collaboration. Fostering these skills within the students becomes a crucial goal in the development of competent professionals.
Architects create the built environment. They synthesize issues of human need, environment setting, building technology, visual perception and aesthetic theory to create buildings and spaces where people live, work, shop, learn, worship, play and entertain. The SCAD architecture program prepares students to be multi-specialist professionals with a vast range of technical and creative skills.
The professional M.Arch. degree is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
Instituto di moda Burgo, Milan, IT, Beachwear design
Istituto di Moda Burgo courses are based on key points, which includes students collections, tailored garments utilizing companies techniques, which makes students more competitive. The teachers follow each student individually, offering a customized program. This creates an educational training based on the peculiarities of the student, reinforcing the points in which it he is weakest and enhancing the natural abilities.
University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, PR, US, architecture
The Bachelor of Environmental Design (BDA) of the School of Architecture, is a non-professional four years. The education includes courses both humanistic and technical cuts, always referring to the particular needs of Puerto Rico. The program consists of 39 courses, for a total of 131 credits. These credits are divided into 42 credits of general education component, 9 credits of electives, and 80 credits of concentration courses. The general education courses, prepare students in various areas, such as physics, mathematics, biology, literature and social sciences. Elective courses, on the other hand, allow students to take courses according to their interests, in any of the many areas of expertise available in the Rio Piedras Campus and / or other facilities of the University System of Puerto Rico. The concentration courses are those directed at specific subject knowledge of environmental design. They are divided into design (35 credits), history and theory (18 credits), structures and technology (24 credits).


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The Financial Services Institute is imposing a stiff dues increase on its broker-dealer members to help boost its lobbying efforts in Washington.
In an Oct. 12 letter to all of its members, FSI said that its board of directors voted unanimously to expand its reach on Capitol Hill and in the states and that a boost in its BD members' dues will help the lobbying group "fulfill our mission and do more for our members in an ever-changing regulatory environment."
FSI said that its new dues structure "will fuel FSI's fight on your behalf." For instance, annual dues for BDs with between $25 million and $50 million in assets will jump from $6,000 to $12,900.
Said FSI's board to its members: "Unfortunately, Washington has become an unavoidable influence on your business, and now is the time to defend our industry and then go on the offense. There is no question that this is the most critical time in our industry's history and your need for a powerful advocate with regulators and legislations cannot be overstated. We are ready to step up–but we need greater resources to be as effective as possible. That cannot be done without a commitment from our members."
While there have been reports that some members are balking at the increase, other members are showing their support.
"The fees for FSI pale in comparison to any other fees we're paying for other services," said Tim Murphy, CEO of Investors Capital Corp. "In my opinion, it's an insignificant number because this is the time when we need to be moving forward. FSI has had many victories, and relatively speaking, has always been a bargain. Management and the board are sensitive to the current economic conditions, but most of the fee increase will be borne by the larger firms."
FSI also reminded its members of the "recent wins" the trade group had secured for the industry: withdrawal of the Department of Labor's fiduciary rule; indefinite delay of change in 12b-1 fees; 260 meetings on Capitol Hill during the 2011 Advocacy Summit; repeal of the expanded 1099 reporting requirements; carve out in the California independent contractor bill; delayed implementation of new FINRA suitability rule; defeated federal independent contractor legislation.
FSI said that its membership has grown from 11,000 to more 30,000 financial advisor members in 2011 alone.


text:
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The hair experts of Atlanta pick their all-time favorite products for different types of hair. ReFinish by Arrojo "I love it because it acts as a dry shampoo, detailing spray and light hairspray. Without leaving a film or residue, it … Continue reading
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Hair stylist Scott Farmer from Atlanta's William David Salon is here to give you his best advice on how to look 10 years younger. What is a common mistake you see people make that ages them? Choosing a hair color … Continue reading
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As Facebook's shares dropped to an all-time low on Wednesday, some wondered if employees would start leaving the social network in droves.
Then, as if on cue, three platform marketing execs announced their departures from the company -- around the same time as Facebook shares fell below $21, a steep drop from its May initial public offering price of $38.
Ethan Beard, director of platform partnerships, Katie Mitic, platform marketing director and mobile platform marketing manager Jonathan Matus all announced they were leaving the company on Wednesday, according to AllThingsD. Although all had pleasant things to say about Facebook in their departure posts, it seemed a little curious..All three mentioned new opportunities but only Mitic announced her own mobile startup.
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Etienne Kneuss has posted about a new part of the Standard PHP Library that creates arrays that are up to thirty percent faster than normal methods - SplFastArray.
Antony got the idea to implement a C-like array wrapper in SPL: SplFastArray. The main advantage of that class is performance, it's indeed faster than PHP arrays. How so? No free lunch: The speedup comes from the fact that non-numeric indexes are not allowed and that the array is of fixed size.
The code sample shows the setting of the size for the array (and changing it) with a var_dump of the output result. This method is always faster than normal arrays, it just varies how much from system to system (anywhere from ten to thirty percent).


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Brasserie Ten Ten is a French-style eatery in Boulder serving brunch, lunch, dinner, and happy hour. We have been delighting customers with our French inspired cuisine since our opening in July of 2003. Learn more
Open Daily at 11:00am
7 Days a Week - 3:00pm - 6:30pm
Sat. & Sun. 9:00am - 3:00pm
1011 Walnut Street
Boulder CO 80302
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We offer a 100% lifetime love guarantee. If you don't love it, we'll make it right. This covers any manufacturer's defects such as loose or wavy canvas, bubbles, scratches or fading. In addition, we will also cover any warping of the stretcher bars. If this occurs we will either replace your canvas print or fix it at our cost.
If you require a reprint or refund, the process can be expedited by providing a digital image of the damage or defect along with a clear description of the problem. Please fill in the form below and include as much information as possible.


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|Environment Climate Change, Pollution, Endangered Species, Industrial Agriculture, Degrading Habitats & Renewable Energy.
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Silmon Sloan: Eco-Corporate Demonology
Here is a nice short-story fan-fic (comic book stylized) drawing on modern era environmentalism consciousness dialogue themes perhaps pioneered by The Monkey Wrench Gang (Edward Abbey).
How can we integrate politically-indulgent storytelling with eco-marketing?
"Silmon Sloan is the prestigious avant-garde eco-politically invested art-house firm headed by former Wayne Enterprises genius employee Edward Nygma. Dr. Nygma oversees the proliferation of youth-generated comic book stylized 'stick-figure' drawings meant to encourage dialogue about pedestrianism consciousness and populism fervor. Silmon Sloan prodigies have given us evocative 'rugged abstract youthful' drawings such as 'Batman v Leatherface' and 'Squirrel-Girl Gender Apology'..."
As Bruce Wayne continued to read the Gotham Gazette article, he wondered what the proliferation of Leatherface drawings in 'art culture' circles would mean for the media attention drawn by the real Leatherface, a maniacal chainsaw-wielding cannibal (currently incarcerated at Arkham Asylum) who claimed he was the incarnation of the iconic horror film character from the American movie "Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III" [1990].
Bruce (aka, Batman) scrolled over his notes about the psychoanalytical evaluation of Leatherface:
"Leatherface (real name Thomas Jane) believes his chainsaw is a prophetic tool. He seems angry it is considered only a devastating deforestation tool and wants to use it to kill people in the name of primalism consciousness.
1. Prerogative --- to create fear
2. Childhood --- severe abuse by father
3. Method --- hobbling victims
The 'hobbler' signature of Leatherface (Thomas Jane) is bent on presenting the Vitruvian symmetry human man as a mere puppet for disfigurement and contortion expressionism sculptures. A man's head is literally 'knocked off,' his knees 'twisted around,' his arms 'ripped down,' his face 'half-yanked apart.' The chainsaw can cut through the abdomen like butter and render a messy pile of unpitied flesh.
To understand how Silmon Sloan's unfiltered distribution of 'youth-generated comics stylized "Batman v Leatherface" art' is generating anxiety among Gothamites about 'gargoyles in our midst,' we must understand how Leatherface (Thomas Jane) himself is simultaneously gratified and tempted by the hyping of his image in the media.
What is certain is that Leatherface must be kept under tight security for treatment and safety, and if Gotham artists and 'social pundits' want to now borrow the horror-film image of 'Leatherface' for eco-political rationalism (e.g., "His chainsaw is the ultimate anti-establishmentarianism tool meant to provoke radical ideas about anti-industrialization"), we must be conscious of how Thomas Jane would react to 'high press.' Then, we can create a 'responsibility metrics' for Nygma's controversial art firm Silmon Sloan."
SHIVA: Art is a panacea.
PENNYWISE: Batman is fuming.
SHIVA: Well, that chainsaw is a deforestation 'weapon.'
PENNYWISE: It's also a brute's toy.
SHIVA: How will the political censors react?
PENNYWISE: May the gods be democratic!
Chapter 2: The Theta Club (A Raincoat Cult)
This chapter explores the eerie 'competition' posed by a student-led cult called The Theta Club, which may be involved in an anti-federal terrorism plot on Halloween Eve and based in Yale University (a prestigious Ivy League school in the USA).
Could this be a 'Communist Manifesto red-flag' like 9/11?
Everything praises America's educators, so where will this praise blossom?
Silmon Sloan was doing very well, and the Gotham Gazette hailed it as a new age symbol of capitalism achievement. It had gained the necessary 'socio-cultural prestige' to cement it as "the thinking man's Toys 'R Us." Edward Nygma was giddy, and Bruce Wayne (Batman) felt paranoid. "How is Silmon Sloan different from any other mega-corporate entity devoted solely to profit?"
Nygma got a phone call from his business advisor, Baroness Devon. She told him that a new 'underground anti-establishmentarianism faction' calling itself The Theta Club had emerged and chapters sprung up across American colleges and universities --- Yale, Florida State, Colorado University, Boston College, and UCSF. The Theta Club was a self-professed 'raincoat cult,' encouraging its member to wear raincoats every Halloween (rain-or-shine).
Bruce Wayne was reading some of the manifestos and manuscripts distributed by The Theta Club. The chapter at Yale University clearly presented in its mission statement the organization's interest to challenge the social prominence of Silmon Sloan by providing ancillary arguments about the psycho-sociological value of 'pedestrian mobilization.' The Yale chapter printed, "We urge our members to wear raincoats every Halloween, since water falls from the sky (sometimes corrupted with acid)."
A reporter for the Gotham Gazette interviewed the president of the Yale chapter of The Theta Club.
GAZETTE: Why is your organization called 'The Theta Club'?
YALE THETA: "Alpha-Beta-Theta"! 'Theta' is bronze ---meaning true rival.
GAZETTE: Is it important that your 'club' is student-managed?
YALE THETA: Our purpose is to draw the attention of America's teachers.
GAZETTE: Are you critical of the American educational system?
YALE THETA: American youngsters are hypnotized by Silmon Sloan.
GAZETTE: What is your 'academic lesson'?
YALE THETA: Raincoats should be worn without shame.
GAZETTE: Do you believe acid-rain has 'corroded' the raincoat?
YALE THETA: We show the Bollywood film Raincoat to sing about Satan!
Batman sent a memo to Commissioner Gordon of the GCPD:
"I believe The Theta Club will engage in a student-led public act of terrorism on Halloween Eve 2016. The initiative will be spear-headed by the chapter at Yale University, and New Haven (Connecticut) residents will find countless students marching in raincoats with picket-signs that red, 'Acid-rain is a deformity on Earth's beautiful face!' Furthermore, I suspect this seemingly peaceful protest will serve as some kind of 'traffic distraction' for a much more terrifying explosives-related violent terrorist act (perhaps directed at the Connecticut Financial Center)."
Raincoat (Film)
SeaWorld Celebrities
When a celebrity such as Jennifer Connelly (star of Requiem for a Dream) makes an appearance at SeaWorld (iconic chain of water-life parks), people notice that a cross-section of society is involved in environment-focused 'imagination.'
Sure, Aquaman (DC Comics) is 'environment-oriented' too but he doesn't necessarily inspire eco-activism, so SeaWorld *technically* would not inspire 'eco-consciousness' in visitors/spectators. Nevertheless, media exposure of society icons/celebrities making appearances at zoos or national parks or at SeaWorld reminds everyone of the basic global interest in exhilarating/refreshing natural environments (for praise, contemplation, fun, etc.).
Is this the impact of modern-media --- e.g., National Geographic TV, Smithsonian Channel, Discovery Channel, Science Channel, etc., etc.?
If so, how should corporations look to capitalize and how should eco-monitors supervise? This is a question that I think President Trump can and should address!
TRUMP: I'd like to see more magazine ads about SeaWorld.
CARTER: Magazines are being outmoded by Web-surfing interests.
TRUMP: Not necessarily true; people still appreciate newspapers.
CARTER: Convenience is the new hallmark...
TRUMP: Sure, and that's why we like seeing celebrities as SeaWorld.
CARTER: Sure, if you see Jennifer Connelly at SeaWorld, you feel inspired.
TRUMP: Media icons (celebrities) are 'society-customs' diplomats now.
CARTER: Weren't they always that?
TRUMP: No, that developed seriously after MTV/Facebook.
CARTER: How can the government benefit from media groupies?
TRUMP: Photos/videos of SeaWorld remind people of Mother Nature.
CARTER: We need a legal-team assessing media-impact on folk-politics.
TRUMP: That will be the challenge of the modern journalist...
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September 19, 2013
Trials and tribulations are damaging this week only if you let them be. You are a master at living above day-to-day concerns. Enjoy looking at the big picture. Watch bright skies gathering above a distant horizon. Bring the future into the present and enjoy. Soul Affirmation: I enjoy the fruits of past labor. Lucky Numbers: 17, 19, 21
This week is a good week for remembering that without the help of your colleagues it would be impossible for you to expedite the tasks that need to be done. Cultivate relationships with those who can help you get important stuff done. Thank them graciously and celebrate with them. Soul Affirmation: I am everybody's sweetheart. Lucky Numbers: 12, 41, 55
You can be very efficient this week if you set your will to the task. New ideas will occur to you as you are working steadily, so keep pencil and paper nearby to jot down your latest brilliance! Soul Affirmation: I will ask joy to marry me. Lucky Numbers: 1, 8, 14
The forces that disrupt your life this week are not as big as they seem while you are standing close to them. Move back. See what surrounds the problem area and you'll notice how small it is on the landscape of your life. Enjoy looking at the goodness that is all around your problems. Soul Affirmation: I keep my attention on the highest and the best. Lucky Numbers: 22, 46, 52
This is a week when you can be a singular beacon. Shine for those around you. Go inside yourself and find those rays of sunshine that others need. Sure you're a bit touchy yourself but that's just the situation in which you can make yourself happy by creating happiness for others. Soul Affirmation: I avoid negative feelings, especially this week. Lucky Numbers: 7, 8, 21
Business as usual is good business. Energy is high. Others give back to you what you gave to them the past few weeks. We hope you were generous because what you get this week will be a multiple of what you bestowed. Soul Affirmation: I give happiness wherever I go. Lucky Numbers: 6, 13, 48
Energy is higher than it has been for a while. You might feel like the sunshine inside yourself provides blinding light. Walk into it. There are no dangers. Put dark glasses on your soul and be cool. Smile and keep stepping. Soul Affirmation: My mental powers are my greatest assets this week. Lucky Numbers: 17, 29, 35
High physical energy means you may roar through the week. Others will have trouble keeping up so exercise your compassion muscles and be as patient as possible. Keep your best interests in mind because they serve the best for everyone around you right now. Soul Affirmation: I savor the flavor of the happiness I find in others. Lucky Numbers: 5, 51, 53
Charm is an extremely effective tool for you this week. Charisma works better than at any recent time especially at home. Shine brightly and let your glow work for you. Your self-image is your most effective tool. Soul Affirmation: Time is the greatest peacemaker of them all. Lucky Numbers: 3, 24, 43
This week make your special interest pay off in cash. Enough of goodness for goodness sake. You've got bills to pay. People expect generosity from a big hearted person like you. Ask them for something in return or they'll drain you. Soul Affirmation: Intelligent information does not have to come from intelligent sources. Lucky Numbers: 6, 8, 14
During the next few weeks be ready for surprises that await you. Don't make any solid plans with anyone except you lover. This week will bring forth a new dimension in a special relationship. You will come upon a sensational poem that illustrates the love the two you share. Soul Affirmation: The search for fun occupies my time this week. Lucky Numbers: 34, 46, 55
Stay steady in your pursuits. Temptations are all around you. Attractive pursuits abound but stay on course with what you planned to do with all the good energy that has arisen in your life. Soul Affirmation: I do not allow demands to be placed on me this week. Lucky Numbers: 17, 28, 31


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From doubt to faith to doubt
A former agnostic still has hesitations about the church, though it helped lead her to belief.
Guest blog by Crystal Watson
I grew up agnostic, but going through a number of difficult years made me begin to wish God did exist, if only to have someone besides myself to blame for how badly things were going. I eventually became a member of the Catholic Church. I didn't really believe in God, but I just felt so unhappy and hoped this would somehow help. After attending church for three years, however, I hadn't found whatever was missing in my life at church and I stopped going.
A few years later, though, I learned of an online Ignatian Spiritual Exercises retreat given by the Jesuits at Creighton University and decided to try it. With the help of a very good spiritual director I trudged through the 30+ weeks of the retreat and found glimpses of what I'd been hoping I'd find at church—an assurance that God could be interacted with. Through the retreat's "gospel contemplation," I came to believe (most of the time) that God does exist, that he's good, that he loves me, that life can have some meaning.
After that, I began reading about spirituality/theology and also paying more attention to the church, its teachings, and stances. The more I learned about Ignatian spirituality, the more I came to appreciate it, but I also came to realize that I disagreed with the institutional church on a great many issues, including women's ministry, the treatment of gays and lesbians, and the way the abuse crisis has been handled.
The conflict has led me to compartmentalize my religious life, keeping my relationship with God separate from my feelings about the church.
I'm not sure how to resolve this problem, but I do hope things will improve in the future. In the meantime, I feel that the least I can do if remaining a Catholic is to speak up about what I see as injustice within the church. I hold on to what I learned and experienced in the Ignatian retreat and most of the time, this seems like enough compensation to keep me in the church.
Guest blogger Crystal Watson blogs at povcrystal.blogspot.com.
As a supplement of the January 2011 special issue on women, U.S. Catholic is asking guest bloggers, "How do you keep the faith as a woman in the church?" To submit your answer (about 500 words), e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com.
Guest blog posts express the views of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of U.S. Catholic, its editors, or the Claretians.


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While Volkswagen recently moved to make two of its best-sellers — the new Jetta and Passat — more affordable by spending less on interior refinements, it's going the opposite direction with its redesigned Touareg SUV.
The Touareg's powerful base engine, standard high-tech features and comfortable ride endeared it to me.
It's a near-luxury machine — and starting around $45,000, it had better be. Because if you're shopping this class, you're likely to shop for similarly priced models from Mercedes and BMW, let alone Acura, Lincoln and Lexus. That's stiff competition.
And the thing is, the Touareg almost outdrives all of them.
I can't say enough about the V-6 engine powering the base Touareg. There's a turbocharged diesel TDI model — somewhat more expensive, at $47,950 — and a Touareg Hybrid, which is much more expensive at $60,565, though that price includes a host of options. I tested the gas Touareg and the hybrid, and there's no question I'd choose the standard V-6, no matter the size of my bank account.
The 280-horsepower V-6 is a smooth operator. That's due in part to an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the revs come on in a delicate fashion, and the cabin is so quiet it feels like this rather large SUV is gliding over the pavement.
It's not V-8 power, but it's as good as I've tested from a V-6 SUV, and I've driven them all, with the exception of the most recent BMW X5. Rest assured, no Lexus RX, Lincoln MKX, Acura MDX or Mercedes ML350 driver will be able to scoff at a new Touareg owner at a cocktail party. Plus, if they're fixated on nameplates, just tell them it's the same power plant you'll find under the hood of a Porsche Cayenne. That should shut them up.
Mileage, at 16/23 mpg city/highway, is par for the course for an all-wheel-drive SUV of this size.
The acceleration is nice to have, but I think I would take the Touareg's pleasing ride if I had to make such a decision. The MKX is probably closest in terms of luxury refinement and a perfectly cushioned ride, with the RX and MDX a bit on the firmer side. The Touareg is even better-controlled. It comes with 18-inch wheels, while the hybrid has 19-inch wheels standard. Nineteen- and 20-inch wheels are also available on standard and diesel Touaregs.
Braking is solid, but as in several VWs I've tested over the years, the brakes squealed a few times in low-speed efforts. That was in both the gas and hybrid versions I tested.
All-wheel drive is also standard, and during a severe snowstorm the Touareg performed exceptionally well. The previous Touareg was always touted for its off-road capabilities, which came at the expense of a pleasing on-road driving experience. Thankfully, VW has figured out most car buyers spend their time on road, not off.
The exterior gets a manlier design than the past model, highlighted by standard LED daytime running lights. I think it was those lights that made one toll-taker on my commute home tell me, "Nice car." I've driven six-figure sports cars through that same toll booth countless times and rarely garnered a second glance from the folks taking my George Washington.
The inside is typical of past Volkswagens, before the new Jetta arrived. It's a cliché to say, but if you were to cover up the VW logo, you'd think you were in an Audi … almost. I think this is where the price will be hard to justify. While the materials are quite good — at Lexus and Acura levels — I'm not sure you'd say they're at Audi or BMW levels, but those vehicles do cost more.
The front seats are exceptionally comfortable, and I enjoyed the high riding position. The backseat had plenty of room, much like the MKX and unlike the cramped RX and MDX.
Throw in child-safety seats like the two full-size convertibles I had in both Touaregs for more than a week, and you'll appreciate the room even more. A petite grandmother even managed to squeeze herself between the two for a few weekend outings.
While I often relate the cars I review to my status as a parent, I really can see the Touareg being the choice of parents who don't want to upgrade to a luxury nameplate just to have it brutalized by their offspring. Indeed, the imitation leather seats in the base model may be the perfect surface for messy kids.
Cargo room, at 32.1 cubic feet, is comparable to the MKX, at 32.3, but both the Lexus RX and the Jeep Grand Cherokee have more at 40 and 36.3 cubic feet, respectively. (When fully loaded, the Jeep costs less than a Touareg with a similar level of interior quality.) I found it funny when transferring some luggage from my own 2005 VW Passat Wagon into the Touareg for an airport run that the Passat definitely had more room.
Touareg Hybrid
The Touareg Hybrid uses a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 — borrowed from the Audi S4 — teamed with an electric motor and the same eight-speed transmission as the regular Touareg. However, instead of simply trying to wring out more fuel efficiency — not something $60,000 SUV shoppers put at the top of their lists — VW wanted the combination to amplify the car's performance aspects.
Did it achieve that goal? Not really. While the hybrid certainly has more power and torque — the engine and motor combine for 380 horsepower and an impressive 425 pounds-feet of torque — it didn't enthrall me like a traditional V-8 engine can. The brakes were typical of hybrids, overacting to most inputs at times and delayed at others. This led to some annoying stops for my family, eliciting curses from my spouse and cries from my son, whose toy went flying to the floor.
It did outperform the base V-6 at the pump, though, returning about 3 more mpg overall in combined driving. It's rated 20/24 mpg city/highway and 21 mpg combined.
The hybrid also comes with an E-mode that allows you to switch to purely electric power when accelerating gently at speeds under 35 mph. I used this switch extensively in bumper-to-bumper traffic during my morning commute.
During other times, I drove the hybrid like I would any other car — meaning not at peak efficiency. When stuck in traffic like that, though, why wouldn't you take the idle time to eke out better mileage?
A graphic on the center LCD shows power flow from the respective energy generators — gas engine, electric motor or both — along with the regenerative braking and battery recharging when coasting.
Since this review fixates on the Touareg's starting price, let me explain what you get for it. Most important is the standard navigation system. Generally, navigation on any vehicle is a $1,500-$2,000 option. Acura's $42,580 MDX charges an additional $3,675 for a navigation package. However, Acura makes a moonroof and leather seating standard. Adding those options to the Touareg costs $3,895, as part of a Lux option package. The Touareg's moonroof, though, is a panoramic one, which is not to be found on the MDX.
Volkswagen says its buyers ask for navigation over any other feature in overwhelming numbers. If that's the case, the automaker may have a winning strategy.
The navigation screen in the base model — VW uses a different nav system for the hybrid and uplevel trims — is crisp and clear, with easy-to-read traffic patterns. I relied on those green, yellow and red lines every day to choose my path to and from downtown Chicago.
The Touareg's iPod integration, also standard, isn't perfect. While I wouldn't want a car without it, the Touareg's system makes it hard to pull up artists and albums, and there are a number of screens to sort through. The center screen also doesn't display the artist's name, which bugs people like me, who like to play 9,000 songs on shuffle all the time.
That annoyance is mitigated a bit by the stunning LCD between the two gauges. This screen works much like the twin setup Ford uses in its MyFord system. This single-screen approach works better, though, switching among music, navigation, car and phone information with a single set of buttons on the steering wheel. Ford's, while working acceptably well, uses two different thumb pads for two separate screens.
The Touareg's center screen is very crisp and clear, and the audio section there did display artist names from my iPod.
The navigation system on the hybrid model I tested was slightly different; the screen between the gauges only had options to display audio, phone and car information, not navigation cues.
That wasn't the main problem with the system, though. The maps on the hybrid weren't as simple as the base model's, and the audio menu on the gauge-mounted screen kept malfunctioning, telling me the entertainment system wasn't turned on even though I listened to music during the entirety of my test. I tried turning both the system and the vehicle itself on and off many times, but the screen never righted itself.
If I were shopping for the Touareg, I'd probably end up with a base model just like my tester, with its $44,450 price tag and no options.
Besides the base gasoline Sport and its Lux package, you can opt for a $9,550 Executive Package that adds a heated steering wheel, 20-inch wheels, heated rear seats, an automated parking feature, an upgraded stereo, and keyless entry and ignition. In this class, you'd expect keyless entry and ignition at a lower price.
The $47,950 diesel TDI also comes in Sport, Lux and Executive configurations, with the same equipment and pricing.
The hybrid comes loaded with those options for its $60,565 price tag. My kids loved to look out the huge dual-panel moonroof, but it was too cold out to open it fully. I didn't think the upgraded stereo was particularly better than the base model's, which itself wasn't aurally stunning. "Competent" is probably the best word for it.
The 2011 Touareg earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The organization's highest award is given to vehicles that earn the top score, Good, in front, side and rear crash tests, as well as a roof-strength test.
The federal government has not crash-tested the Touareg.
Touareg in the Market
It's often hard to judge how a vehicle like the Touareg will be received. Too many shoppers rely on badges as a connotation of luxury and quality, even though they often matter little.
The Touareg packs most of the traits luxury automakers have been telling the public they want for decades, like a quiet ride, smooth acceleration and dazzling displays. I just wonder if buyers will be savvy enough to give the Touareg a fair shake given its perceived high price.


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With What's Up! mobile apps you can:
- Learn about the events happening in the greater region.
- Find the nearest events to you on a map.
- Create your own events and share them with everybody else for free.
- Get notified of important events and information.
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- Get public transport departure times and bookmark your most used bus stops.
- Get the status of public parkings in and around the city.
- and gain many more benefits!