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ThemeForest MT Studio Fluid Responsive Magento Theme 5531687
Category: Site Template
ThemeForest MT Studio Fluid Responsive Magento Theme 5531687
Site Template \ eCommerce Theme \ Magento
Product \ Ability \ Products \ Custom \ Layout \ Magento \ Display \ Option \ Define
eCommerce Theme - MT Studio Fluid Responsive Magento Theme 5531687 by peerforest @ ThemeForest
Site Template \ eCommerce Theme \ Magento
MTStudio – Fluid Responsive Magento Theme With Powerful Admin Options & Features
MTStudio is a Unique, Clean, Premium Responsive Magento Theme which is Easy to Install and Configure and with Powerful Admin Modules. It can be used for any type of E-commerce Magento Store. It comes with lots of features such as Responsive, fluid grid, Mega menu, Brand Slider, Ajax Cart, One Page Checkout. We provide on time help & support for our customers.
It is Magento 1.6, Magento 1.7, Magento 1.8, Magento 126.96.36.199 compatible theme.
Customer Testimonials
Hello, I'm Murtaza from Pakistan. I just Purchased your theme, I must say you've made awesome theme this theme going to be rock here, Murtaza, Pakistan
I purchased this Theme, and received excellent after sale service from Peerforest with some minor issues I had, ofood
Greetings for all who want to purchase this Theme.
One of the best magento theme available on internet . I have purchase many theme from my magento store but was very upset with support and functionality. Finally i see MTS and switched to this theme.
Perfect support Perfect compatibility with extensions Best part of peerforest Every issue resolved in less then 12 hours.
Good luck for sales …. Great work, Sk161282
These Guys at Peerforest are the BOMB!!!!!! really 100% honest and straight forward and helped me to resolve some minor issues within like 2 hours,,.
I am really impressed about the template and the speed of responsiveness and support.
you keep up the good work Guys
Features Highlights
General .
- Code Standard : All customisation and theme code structure follow 100% magento code standard. It's easy to update theme, customisation and install magento extension
- Support : We are dedicated to provide you support. You will get response within 12 hours from our team
- Multi-Store : Ability to create multi-store easily and create different layout from admin panel for your store
- Fluid Grid Fully Responsive : Fully respnosive theme. It's fluid based theme so it use maximum available width. It can be displayed properly on any screen resolution
Layout Options .
- Layout Customization : Ability to define boxed layout or full layout for any store from admin panel. Also admin is able to enable or disable boxed layout shadow
- Responsive Layout : Fluid grid based layout option. Automatically layout will be adjust in any type of screen resolutions
- Background Options : Ability to change layout background colours, textures or single image easily
- Unlimited Colors : Unlimited colours options available and admin is able to define colours of almost every elements of the layout
- Google Fonts : Ability to define google fonts for all types of contents, titles, links, custom blocks
- Customizable Design : Ability to change and customise visual appearance of the layout from admin panel
Homp page .
- Columns Customization : Ability to define full width, 2 column or 3 column layout
- Easy Banner Manager : It contains banner manager. Ability to manage banners easily from admin panel. Just upload banner images and assign to show it
- Slideshow / Banners : Fully customisable using BxSlider banners. Some attractive banners effect with text and banner images. Display text contents in your banners
- Custom Blocks : Custom blocks are available at many places to put your own contents or graphics. Enable / Disable custom blocks on homepage and sidebar blocks
- Category Sidebar : Enable / Disable category side bar
- Dynamic Latest Products : Display latest products set as "new" between selected date. Ability to navigate latest products using slider
- Featured Products : Display featured products mark as featured from admin panel
- Popular Products : Display popular products based on most navigated products by website users
- Dynamic Brand Slider : Display brands using sliders and using selection of any brands, it will display all related brands products
Header .
- Background Options : Ability to define header background from admin panel easily. It can be colour, textures or image. Ability to repeat textures or image as per theme
- Colors : Link colours and text colors can be define easily
- Custom Block : Ability to define any content like store time, phone no etc
- Logo : Ability to upload your store logo from admin panel without update and HTML or CSS files
- Compare and Wishlist : Ability to navigate compare products list and wish list products
- Search : Ability to search products or contents through the store using any keywords
Product Options .
- Product Image Option : Options to display big product images or small product images through out the store. Product images will be set automatically based on screen resolution
- Products Grid Display Option : Ability to define product image background colour as well as define backgroud colour of product grid. Also ability to enable / disable product grid border and colour of the border
- Product Hover Option : Enable / Disable to display another product image when mouse hover effect. Ability to show add to cart option on mouse hover or show add to card option by default
- Color Options : Ability to define product name font colors, add to cart button font colors. Also able to define mouse hover font colors
- Compare and Wishlist : Ability to navigate compare products list and wish list products
- Product Quick View : Ability to show On / Off product quick view option. Show product details in dialog box
- Labels : Display "sale" and "new" labels based on defined labels in admin panel
Menu .
- Menu types : Able to set default menu or custom mega menu
- Background Colours : Ability to define product image background colour as well as define backgroud colour of product grid. Also ability to enable / disable product grid border and colour of the border
- Fonts Options : Ability to define top menu fonts and sub menu fonts. Also able to define font colours of top menu and sub menu
- Custom Labels : Ability to set custom labels for any top categories and sub categories. Admin is able to set colours of the labels from admin panel
- Custom Blocks : Ability to set your custom contents and banners images using custom blocks in drop down menu. Also able to set your custom page link to open that pages
Category Listing View .
- Fluid Products Grid : Display small product images or big product images. Products will be adjusted based on layout space
- Category Layout Option : Ability to set full width layout to show more products or it can be set with right side bar or left side bar
- Category Custom Blocks or Banners : Ability to define custom contents of your categories and define banners also. Both will be display on layout
- Display Category List : Ability show On / Off category listing on side bar
- Alternate Images : Ability to show altername product image on mouse hover
- Ajax Based Products Navigation : Easy navigate pages using Ajax without loading page. Also sorting and product listing can be done easily using ajax
- Ajax Shop by Features : Ajax based product navigate using product attributes. User can navigate products by attributes easily
Product Detail View .
- Product Display Options : You will not get such features in other themes. You can set your layout for all products or individual product layout. There are five different product display layout as per your products
- Custom Blocks : Ability to define your custom contents or banners in side bar custom blocks as well as in bottom custom blocks
- Brand Logo : Display product brand logo on selection of product brands
- Cloud Zoom : Enable to enlarge product images. Show small products and navigate using sliders
- Related Products and Up-Sell Products : Show related products based on selected products and show up-sell products listing using sliders
- Custom Block : Ready to display custom static contents or banners on each product detail page
Version 1.6 (4th June 14)
Added : Magento 18.104.22.168
Added : Compatible with Magento Version 126.96.36.199
Added : Import Module with media image
Added : Add Custom Tab in product detail page
Added : Add Custom Blocks with admin options (On/Off) before main container
Solved : Responsive Mobile Issue Alignment
Changed : Replace Cloud Zoom Module
Changed : Changed Themeoptions structure
Changed : Remove Colorpicker and add jscolor.js
Version 1.5 (24 December 13)
Added : Product Detail Options & Design
Added : Compatible with Magento Version 188.8.131.52
Added : Category Label to Siderbar Navigation
Added : Category Label to Responsive Menu
Added : Display Sub Category Image with admin option (On/Off)
Added : Set Limit for Featured & Popular products on Home page
Added : Topmenu / Submenu Border Color
Added : Shopping Cart Font Color
Added : Topmenu Shadow (On/Off)
Added : Topmenu Shadow Color
Added : Submenu Shadow (On/Off)
Added : Banner Selection (Bx or Revolution)
Added : Option to display banner in full width or template width
Added : Breadcrumb Color
Solved : CSS issue Bug
Solved : Alignment and CSS issue
Version 1.4 (14 November 13)
Added : Revoution Slider
Added : More Banner configuration options
Added : Translation Files
Solved : Resonsive Menu Color issue
Solved : Shopping cart hover issue in Mobile
Solved : Checkout Issue with Magento 1.8
Solved : Shopping cart alignment issues in Mobile
Version 1.3 (01 October 13)
Added : Magento 1.8.x compatiblity
Added : One Page Checkout
Added : Brand logo on product detail page with admin options for On / Off
Added : More Custom Blocks on Home and Cateogry pages
Added : Admin Option for AddToCart Success Popup On / Off
Added : CSS for CMS Pages
Solved : Product Detail & Quick view issue for different Product Layout
Solved : Product Zoom issue on iPad
Solved : Menu z-index issue on product detail page
Solved : Product Thumbnail syntax issue
Version 1.2 (22 September 13)
Admin options
Added : Added more options for Menu, Footer, Product
Added : Custom CSS field where Admin can put own CSS selectors to override any.
Product Layout
Solved : Some Layout issues for Product page.
We have removed some of the extensions which are not compatible and creating issues for our clients and replace some of them with custom code.
Removed : OnePageCheckout, AddThis Sharing, Cateogry Sidebar, Brand Slider
Added : Custom Addthis code, Custom Category Sidebar and Brand Slider
Version 1.1 (10 September 13)
Menu – Admin options
Added : Hover, background color change option
Added : Label background color, Menu Border color option
Added : Shopping Cart background color option
Added : Title Font Size
Solved : Description on Responsive mode
Product Grid – Admin Option
Added : Add to cart button default, hover background color, font color option
Added : Product Name, Price default, hover color option
Added : Quick View background, hover background color option
Last Update: 4 June 14; Compatible Browsers: IE8, IE9, IE10, IE11, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Chrome; Software Version: Magento 188.8.131.52, Magento 126.96.36.199, Magento 126.96.36.199, Magento 220.127.116.11, Magento 184.108.40.206, Magento 188.8.131.52, Magento 18.104.22.168, Magento 188.8.131.52, Magento 22.214.171.124, Magento 220.127.116.11; ThemeForest Files Included: PHP Files, CSS Files, JS Files; Columns: 3; Documentation: Well Documented; Layout: Responsive.
Neighborhood - Ultimate Responsive Magento Theme; Super Duper : Ultimate Responsive Magento Theme; Modello - Multi-Purpose Fluid Responsive Theme; Flatastic : Fluid Responsive Magento Theme; iStudio 7 : Premium Responsive Magento Theme; Metro Store : Responsive Premium Magento Theme; METROS - Minimalist Responsive Metro Style Theme.
Keywords: apparel, clean design, clothes, customisable magento theme, customize theme, ecoomerce templates, fluid grid, liquid layout, modern magento theme, responsive magento theme, unlimited colors.


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Lisa, Lora, and Briar sang to a packed house last night. Their solos, and voices in unison, of traditional classic songs, made for a beautiful evening of holiday music. My favorites were Carol of the Bells and the tender lullaby by Paul Williams and Joseph M. Martin: Still is the Night; also by Joseph Martin was the joyful O Come Emmanuel and Listen to the Stars, both from The Voices of Christmas.
Mezzo Soprano Lisa Tamagini and Soprano Lora Tamagini
Sisters Lisa and Lora Tamagini and Briar have known each other since they began their opera careers in Boston. Lora and Lisa have toured the world over and Lora's original music can be heard on three CDs: Joy in My Soul, Sing to the Lord, and Sing Gloria. Briar is passionate about supporting local artists and it has been her dream to host musical concerts. The success of Willowdale has made it possible for her to create unforgettable holiday performances for everyone to enjoy!
Briar's festive and delicious Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Frosting
For more holiday musical treats Leven is performing on Saturday at the Sawyer Free from 3:00 to 4:00, main floor.

subset: commoncrawl


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It's a monster. A monster bake sale, that is. Eat My Blog contributing bakers will be hosting their 4th annual charity bake sale to benefit the LA Regional Foodbank at Pasadena's Pita Jungle.
Eat My Blog was begun by Cathy Chaplin, a Pasadena resident who authors the food blog Gastronomy Blog. She and Laurie Moore of G-ma's Bakery founded their charity bake sale in 2009 so that local food bloggers could join and give back to the community. Since their first bake sale, Eat My Blog has raised and donated over $12,000 to the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank.
Michael Flood, president of the food bank, wrote "Your gift allows us to secure and distribute nutritious food such as fruits and vegetables and staples. Each dollar you donate allows the Food Bank to provide enough food for four meals." And that is an incredible bang for your buck in return for savoring a coconut milk tres leche cake from Echo Park's Xoia or an Oreo-stuffed chocolate chip cookies from Esi Impraim of Dishing Up Delights. Also for sale will be brand-spanking new copies of EAT: Los Angeles 2012, donated by our publisher to support the cause.
Another food-focused event coming to Pasadena for the first time is Artisanal LA's 2nd Annual Holiday Pop-Up Shop at the Armory Center for the Arts. Fifty local artisanal vendors (including the Altadena Urban Farmers' Market) will have goods to buy, and samples to intrigue and entice.
Joseph Shuldiner's Institute of Domestic Technology (he's the Eat LA designer!) will have demonstrations and classes running all day; the Market on Holly will have offer organic spirits, craft beer, local wine and coffee sampling; and Honest Tea will have complimentary beverages.
Eating amazing foods, learning about food, buying locally handmade foods—it is truly a food-lovers' dream this Saturday and Sunday. Mark your calendars; the weekend's booked!
Eat My Blog Charity Bake Sale
Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Pita Jungle, 43 E. Colorado Blvd., Old Pasadena
For more information, visit Eat My Blog LA
Artisanal LA 2nd Annual Holiday Pop-Up Shop
Sunday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Armory Center for the Arts, 145 N. Raymond Ave., Old Pasadena
Tickets $5 (purchase here)
626.792.5101, ext. 145 for Janine Christiano
For more information, visit Artisanal LA


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I have been working on a proyect since last year using php 4.0... and i have no problems until i update to PHP 4.2.1... This version come with great security improvements like Global_variables = OFF , $_SESSION, $_POST, $_GET , etc.
Actually i was passing values from a page to other in two ways :
1) using forms ... and post the values to other pages
2) using links
After the actualization i have to correct my code to adapt it to $_POST in forms ..and it works perfectly..
However the link way doesn't work under GLOBAL_VARIABLES = OFF...
for example i use:
<a href="page2.php?var=<? echo $value1;?>">EVALUATE! </a>
so i could use $var in page 2 with the value = $value1
however , with GLOBAL_VARIABLES OFF it doesn't work... is there another way for passing values beetween pages not using forms way ?
Which is the best way, for correct this situation under PHP 4.2.1 or 4.2.2 ?
Passing values - Problems with the link way
Ask about general coding issues or problems here.
Moderators: egami, macek, gesf
Post Reply
4 posts • Page 1 of 1
- fresiafunk
- New php-forum User
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon Aug 12, 2002 5:17 am
- Location: CHILE - SOUTH AMERIKA - Land of Dreams and Girls
A lot of variables moved to an array with that security update, read the manual to find out where to find them exactly:
Greetz Daan
Greetz Daan
On page 2 use $_GET['var'] to access the value, not $var!
- fresiafunk
- New php-forum User
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon Aug 12, 2002 5:17 am
- Location: CHILE - SOUTH AMERIKA - Land of Dreams and Girls
Thanks... :lol: ... the $_GET['var'] works !!!!!
Post Reply
4 posts • Page 1 of 1


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Credit card stolen from car, used at Walmart
Police search for culprits in car burglaries
ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – Thieves are targeting unlocked vehicles in Rockledge looking for credit cards. The crooks then immediately use the stolen cards across the state. Two people were recently caught on camera using stolen cards at a Walmart store in Cocoa.
"I don't know if the credit card was maybe given to them or they actually did the burglary," said Rockledge police detective Carlos Quiroga.
In the surveillance video from Walmart, a man in blue jeans and green shirt walks around casually, while his female accomplice is at the cash register trying to buy a flat screen TV with the stolen credit card. The price tag: $736.46.
"To make a major purchase, you have to go in somewhere where there is some video footage and they took a chance and that's what I think happened," said Detective Quiroga.
The card was denied. Their spree finally coming to an end after using it successfully at two 7-11s and a Hess gas station.
The card was stolen from an unlocked truck in Rockledge just hours earlier. The owner finally realizing it was gone, canceled the card. Police say there's been about a half dozen similar cases.
"There are people from different areas of the state that (are in) a ring that go over to different counties and burglarize these vehicles and that's specifically what they work for," said Detective Quiroga.
Those two people in the surveillance video are still on the run. If you know who they are, call Rockledge police. Many victims tell Local 6, they though they had locked their vehicle, but possibly hit the wrong button on their fob.
Copyright 2012 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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He's an "American Idol" judge, but Steven Tyler still wants to be Aerosmith's lead singer. Trouble is, he can't find his lead guitarist.
Tyler, who is sort of the Mick Jagger to Joe Perry's Keith Richards, said he wants to get to work on what would be the band's first album since 2001. But Perry, who has made no secret of his contempt for Tyler's decision to become a TV judge, is out of pocket.
"I'm trying to rally the guys together," Tyler told Rolling Stone. "We're having trouble getting Joe [Perry]. I don't know where he is, but just come down to L.A. at the end of January sometime. I've had enough downtime."
U.S. & World
Stories that affect your life across the U.S. and around the world.
The band started to record a new album a few years ago, but squabbled. Since then the group has toured together, even though Tyler and Perry barely speak offstage.
"As far as Joe goes, look, the guy's got LSD — Lead Strummer Disorder," Tyler told the magazine. "We've been brothers forever. He's just going through his thing. I think the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of unrecorded Joe Perry licks floating around in the ether somewhere."
Perry told the Calgary Herald in September that he first learned that Tyler was going to be a judge on "Idol" through the media — even though the band was on tour at the time.
"We sat down not too long ago, when we decided to do this tour, and we basically laid out plans for the next two years," Perry said. "When you're sitting there talking about that and one of the band members knows full well he's signed a contract that's taking him out of the music business for seven months of the year — that kind of throws a wrench into things."
And Perry is no fan of the TV show.
"It's a reality show designed to get people to watch that station and sell advertising," he said. "It's one step above Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. When we put this band together, this is not something that [Steven Tyler] would do. It's his business, but I don't want Aerosmith's name involved with it."
Selected Reading: Rolling Stone, Calgary Herald.


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In Stock
Atreyapuram Bellam Pootharekulu - Dry Fruit
A popular sweet from Andhra Pradesh, Pootareku is a plastic-like novelty made from finely ground rice starch (of a special variety called Jaya biyyam; biyyam meaning rice in Telugu), black gram, powdered bellam and ghee. Its name comes from a amalgamation of the words 'Pootha' meaning coating and 'Reku' meaning sheetin Telugu.
Although the sweet is crispy from the outside, the soft insides add character to the Pootarekulu. While it can be stuffed with powdered sugar, the authentic producers in Atreyapuram have innovated the product to stuff it with jaggery and powdered cashewnuts as well. A visit to Atreyapuram provides the unparalleled experience of watching this delicacy being made, by pouring watered down rice batter on pre-heated upturned pot. These sheets are then powdered with the filling and rolled strategically after smearing them with ghee to ensure that they do not break.
Given the intricacies, making Pootareku is a labour-intensive art and, apart from the heavenly taste, this dependency has lent the label of delicacy to this food item. Undiscovered to the foodizens outside of Godavari district, Pootareku is truely a delight for the sweetly inclined.
Nutrition Facts per 1 Piece:
Calories 287
Sodium 0mg
Total Fat 30g
Potassium 0mg
Saturated 18g
Total Carbs 7g
Polyunsaturated 0g
DietaryFiber 0g
Monounsaturated 0g
Sugars 6g
Trans 0g
Protein 0g
Cholesterol 80mg
VitaminA 0%
Calcium 0%
VitaminC 0%
Iron 1%
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High Pressure Mud Pumps
With the addition of a high pressure mud pump to the pipeline equipment lineup, Vermeer offers contractors a one-stop shop for major components of pipeline drilling operations. On a job with tight deadlines, contractors can work easier knowing they are supported by quality equipment and a knowledgeable dealer network.
- Models
Model Maximum Flow Rate at Maximum Efficiency Relief Valve Setting SA400 Tier 4i (Stage IIIB) 550 gpm (2082 L/min) 1250 psi (86.2 bar)
- Video
The Vermeer Rock Lab


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"Albania's migration flow has, since the early 1990s, been five times higher than the average migration flow in developing countries." Migration Policy Institute
Albanians had no right to a passport until May 1990. Until the penal code was revised in July 1990, leaving the country was officially an act of treason. Nothing could have prepared Albania and its neighbours for the mass exodus that followed when these barriers were relaxed.
It began when 400 people scaled the gates of the Italian and German Embassies in Tirana in July 1990. Thousands of others followed. In the same month, the first of many ships filled with people destined for Italy was seized in the port of Durres. Battles between security forces and those desperate to leave were fought on the beaches of Durres. Others set out to cross on foot the mountainous border to Greece. Everywhere Albania's border controls – whose main purpose had been to keep people from leaving – broke down.
Migration under these conditions was risky. Some perished in the sea, froze in the mountains or were shot at by Greek border guards. Thousands were captured and returned from Greece, only to try their luck again. The authorities lost control of the situation. Under these circumstances, no one kept count, but a rough estimate puts the number of Albanians who left the country from 1990 to 1992 at between 200,000 and 300,000 - almost 10 percent of the total population.
That was just the beginning of the exodus. According to the Migration Policy Institute, a similar number of people left between 1993 and 1996. After the collapse of the pyramid schemes in 1998, there was another exodus of 70,000 within the space of a few months. The number of recent Albanian emigrants living abroad is today estimated at 900,000 - equivalent to 25 percent of the total 1991 population. This group includes more than one third of the total labour force. Most of those who emigrated live in neighbouring Greece (600,000) and Italy (200,000).
"In the period 1990-2003, approximately 45 percent of the professors and researchers at universities and institutions emigrated, as did more than 65 percent of the scholars who received PhDs in the West in the period 1980-1990. Thousands of university graduates left as well. The majority took along their family members." (Migration Policy Institute)
At the same time, the large Albanian diaspora has made an important contribution to Albania's recent economic performance by sending remittances. The Migration Policy Institute reports an increase in remittances from US$377.9 million in 1994 to $780 million in 2003. The World Bank estimates that remittances make up as much as 13 percent of Albania's GDP (some $1.3 billion in 2006).
May 2008


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Power Solution for Automotive Off-board Loads
Average Current Mode Control of Bidirectional DCDC Systems
High Voltage Solutions in HEV/EV Part I - On Board Chargers and Charging Stations
Designing multi-kW power supply systems
A Robust Gate Driver Solution for High Power Density EV On-Board Chargers using Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs
Automotive C2000™ MCU motor control platform for BLDC motors
Powering safely with lithium ion batteries
Charging efficiently with digital on-board chargers
Isolating and protecting the CAN bus network
The road to electrification starts here
Designing the future of smart driving
What are Battery ID and Authentication ICs?
Optimizing DC/DC Converters for EMI in Automotive Systems
EMI (electromagnetic interference) mitigation is a critical step in the design process in most electronic systems, and especially so in the automotive world. In many cases, automotive OEM emissions requirements are even more stringent than both national and international standards bodies like the FCC. Unfortunately, by their nature, switching regulators are sources of EMI; but, in order to keep power supply designs small and efficient, switchers are a critical component. So how can you reap the benefits of a switching regulator while still meeting challenging EMI requirements?
How to design multi-kW DC/DC converters for electric vehicles (EVs)
We are all well aware that the demand for Electric Vehicles (EV) is increasing rapidly. This eight-part training session begins with a description of a typical EV system in part 1. Part 2 is a brief description of how both Lead Acid and Lithium Ion batteries are charged. Part 3 focuses on the types of power factor and harmonic currents. Part 4 discusses power factor correction and the typical boost PFC stage. Part 5 concentrates on the Phase Shifted Full Bridge topology, including the reasons why it is used and a detailed description of how it operates.
Selecting operational amplifiers for HEV/EV powertrain systems
This presentation will focus on the voltage and current monitoring solutions within HEV/EV system – specifically on overcoming the challenges of high voltages and maintaining an isolation barrier. Afterwards, we will discuss specific op amp parameters to consider for monitoring within the on-board charger (OBC), battery management system (BMS), DC/DC converter, and inverter end equipment.
Automotive Controller Area Network (CAN) Overview and Training
Identifying the Key Features of an Automotive DC/DC Converter
Leveraging Spread Spectrum and Slew Rate Control in Automotive DC/DC Converter Designs
How to Design Input EMI Filters for an Automotive DC/DC Converter
How to Design Multi-kW DC/DC Converters for Electric Vehicles (EVs) - EV System Overview


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Search Reviews
Grand Princess
Grand Princess
2 Passengers have reviewed this ship
Very good
Top 5 most helpful reviews
Rating summary
2 reviews sorted by:
- 0 Helpful votes
- 0 Cruise reviews
- 0 Cruises
"A Grand Experience of the Mediterranean!!"
We boarded Grand Princess on the 10th of November for a 12 night cruise of the Mediterrancean. I was dreading the boarding since our experience boarding Pacific Star in Brisbane. There we lined up for 3 hours in the hot sun dragging our luggage all the way. On this day we had our driver from RomeCabs collect us at 1100 to go to Civitavecchia, Rome's port. It takes about one hour to get there so we thought this would be good since boarding commenced at 1200. The brochure said, board after 1300 for a faster check in. Anyway we go there at 1230 and as we got out of the car, a port worker took our luggage straight to the ship, we did not see it again until it arrived in our mini suite later that day. We then went to check in. We lined up for no longer than 20 minutes, got our cruise cards, and were on board in 30 minutes flat. How great was that! It does not have to be complicated, maybe the Brisbane port should take some hints from these guys. Grand Princess is truly a grand ship. Built 10 years ago it was Princess' flagship and still is. It is 109000 gross tonnes and is like a massive floating palace. You can hardly believe you are on a ship. Every space looks huge and although there are near 4000 people on board including crew, you could never tell. After boarding the ship on Sunday, we got settled in and the very next day the ship was alongside in Naples Italy. This was a good stop for us because we were looking forward to seeing Pompeii. A once in a lifetime experience to see a city frozen in time after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. Pompeii was roman installation and looks similar to the others we have seen so far. All the towns had similar characteristics, a theatre, baths, public piazzas, shopping areas and wide streets and of course a very important thing, underground plumbing!! We went on a Princess arranged tour with an English speaking guide so we did not have to do anything. This time it was me getting on a tour bus outside the port terminal instead of watching passengers at Outer Harbor do it as I have always done. It is nice to be on the other side for a change and to see how the different ports operate their terminals/embarkation points. When we arrived in Naples by bus it was hard not to notice the mighty Mount Vesuvius towering over town still so dangerously close for an active volcano that is likely to erupt again. This monster must have instilled some fear in the inhabitants of Pompeii back in the day when they hear the mountain rumbling. Believe it or not they left their city for days and after the rumbling and trembling stopped, they returned only to be sitting ducks for the explosion of deadly gas and ash that they had no idea was to follow. This eruption preserved life at a moment in time like no other. We had a perception though that our tour of the city would show the people in their homes preserved at that moment in time but unfortunately, in order to preserve them forever, the people have been removed from their original place and placed in a central viewing area as well as artifacts like pots, plates etc. This was probably our only disappointment. The city is huge as it used to have 20,000 inhabitants. A funny thing we walked through was a two storey brothel. In those days many foreign merchants would come to Pompeii to sell/buy products and of course they would visit the brothel. Because of the language barrier, the locals depicted pictures of certain "services" as a catalogue on the walls of the brothel so that foreign visitors could just point to the service of their choice. Apparently they were a very open civilisation when it came to these things. The anguish on the faces of these people frozen in timde, quite chilling. Another important Port of Call on this trip was the visit to Athens. Athens, the centre of the ancient Greek empire, was the centre of the ancient world after Rome. If you ask the Greeks, Rome was second to them!! We took a ship's tour again in this port that covered the city of Athens and the Acropolis. After a coach tour of the city, we headed up to the Acropolis. Acropolis is the term used for the entire area on the mountain that includes the Parthenon and other monuments. From the mountain top we could see the whole city which is probably why the ancient Greeks built it there, it was a fortress. For those who are considering cruising, this is the life! Wake up when you want, or if you have an early tour, get a wake up call! We booked all our tours in the afternoon that way we had plenty of time to get organised in the morning. We go to breakfast to Horizon Court, the on board 24 hour buffet. The selection is great, cooked breakfast, freshly baked pastries, breads, jams, muffins, fruit galore - it is a paradise of food selection for any taste. After breakfast we would take Michael to Kid's Club (more on that in another post) which he absolutely loves, then go to the Grand Atrium coffee lounge and get a Capuccino. I bought a Coffee Card on board which gives you discount on coffee, hot chocolate and espresso whilst on board. Remember that drinks and real coffee are not free. After the coffee fix it would generally leave us time to go for a walk, check out the photo board or sit in a lounge and just relax. The photo boards are good to look at. The ship employs photographers/videographers who go along on tours, take photos at dinner, do formal portrait photos and theme photos. Then each day the photos of everyone are put on the boards, you can then select any you want to buy. They also use the video they shoot to create a cruise DVD that you can buy at the end of the cruise with all the ports of call, special ship events, and lots more. We had a family formal photo done on formal night when we were all dressed up and purchased the photo. For US$260 we are also getting a canvas print of it in a huge size framed and shipped directly to our home. Even in AU$ we would not get that for the same price. It was a good opportunity to get a family portrait because we would never get around to it once we got home. Lunches are served in all the dining rooms (there are three main dining rooms), the buffet, the Pizzeria and the Grill. Lots of choice for everyone whether you want a light lunch or a big sit down affair. After lunch on a sea day, we have had the choice of movies in the theatre, trivia, wine tasting, shopping on board and much more. Princess is good at their sales. They have jewellers, clothes, perfumes, and much more on board. They time their sales well with sea days and they hold the sales in Grand Atrium or in one of the dining rooms. The prices are tax and duty free and heavily discounted at times. Some stuff is junk but lots of good opportunities for good gifts. They had my Guess handbags and Svarovsky jewellery, watches (which I bought many of) and of course lots of trinkets and cruise junk but must haves!!! Money on board. When on board a cruise, all transactions are cashless. When you get on board they give you a cruise card which is your stateroom door card, ID for getting on and off ship and your method of payment for those items which are not included in the cruise fare. Great not to have to carry money around! Don't get me wrong, a lot of stuff is included in the fare: Accommodation Gym facilities Pools and all lounges All shows and entertainment Food in all dining rooms, dining areas except two alternative dining areas (the Steakhouse and the Italian restaurant but here you pay a $20 cover charge only) The ice cream parlour is also extra The Lotus Spa is extra for hair and beauty appointments as you would ashore Room service Really the only extras are: Drinks Shopping Tours if you book any Other special things on board are: The Princess Patter - this is the daily ship newsletter, every cruise line has one. Each night you receive one in your stateroom and it has all the activities for the next day on it. It includes shows, games, movies, weather, sales etc. It is a lot of fun to look at each night and plan out your next day. Michael even gets one for the Kid's Club and he loves reading it to find out what he is going to do each day. Dining There are many dining options on the ship. When you book your cruise with Princess they ask you if you want traditional fixed dining or Anytime Dining. Traditional is a set time each night at the same restaurant, same table, same people. Anytime is basically just that, you turn up anytime and have dinner. If they have no places at that time, they give you a pager and page you when a table opens up. This has only happened to us once so we went to a bar to get a drink and I did not even get to finish it because they paged us so quickly. We love anytime dining. It is good because you do not have to worry about what time your tour gets back or if you want to have a later dinner, you can. The alternative restaurants like the steakhouse and Italian restaurant are good too but you need to book there to get a table. They charge a cover charge of $20 but it is really good value and the food is great. The cost covers entree, main and dessert a la carte. Kids are not forgotten either. There is a kids menu and there is always the grill or the pizzeria!! We visited Mykonos on a half day visit. I had not booked any ship tours because we decided to go ashore on our own. We went ashore and took a shuttle bus to the main part of town. Mykonos is a very famous Greek Island. It is made of granite and all the homes are painted white with blue or red shutters. This is what you typically see in paintings and postcards of Greece, very different to Athens and the mainland. This place is truly unique, with tiny streets and walking areas, it is a place where progress seems to have missed. No typically evident things like satellite dishes or other modern things, whilst I am sure they have them, they have been very good at hiding these from tourists so as not to spoil the impression of this island. Well for us this port of call was the most important, seeing the great pyramids. The ship docked in Port Said which is a 3 hour drive from Cairo. We booked a ship's tour which included motor coach transport to Cairo, a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, a visit to the Pyramids and the Sphinx. We got up at 0500 and had to meet at 0630 in the Casino to go to our bus. Believe it or not there were 120 motor coaches going on this tour on this day so a logistical nightmare for the ship, the port and the Egyptian authorities. They value tourism as a natural resource and it is extremely important to them as a source of income for the national economy so when you have 120 tour buses travelling in motorcade for 3 hours to Cairo, the military escort the motorcade all the way. Seeing people with machine guns was a little frightening but apparently it was for our safety. We waited on board our bus for what seemed like ages (1 hour) so that all the 120 buses could be loaded as they all had to travel together. We travelled for 3 hours to Cairo with very little air conditioning so it was hot and uncomfortable. Princess insists on air conditioned coaches and inspects them all prior to departure when our driver had it on but during the trip he turned it off, probably to conserve fuel. We were then told not to use toilet paper in the on board toilet and it did not flush so take a guess what that meant - cross your legs!! We got to Cairo finally and arrived at the Museum. Imagine over 1000 people converging on the museum at once plus the people who were already there!! Anyway we had around 45 minutes in the museum and we were rushed through it with our guide yelling, "faster, faster", Imagine all these elderly people (most of the passengers on this trip are retired, there are some younger people but not many for this itinerary) trying to scurry around. Anyway we saw very little. We did manage to get a glimpse of Tutankhamen's famous gold mask that was found in his tomb along with many other treasures. His mask is made of solid gold and weighs over 11kg. I would show you a photo but that was not allowed. After the museum we went to lunch at the Intercontinental Hotel were they put on a huge buffet for all 120 coach loads of passengers in their banquet room. Of course we were warned about eating/drinking certain things in Egypt as you can get sick not being used to their water etc. Last cruise apparently over 400 passengers got sick. You ask me why? If you saw the rubbish in the Nile you would understand. The Nile is the lifeline, no other source of fresh water around and it is polluted, dirty and even has sewage in it!! Imagine washing you veggies in it!! Anyway we stayed away from certain foods and still had a nice lunch. Then rush rush to the next location, Giza for the Pyramids. We crossed the Nile to go to the Giza area which believe it or not is just on the outskirts of Cairo. You don't see that in the movies!! We had 30 minutes at the Pyramids and between walking to and from them, we had a few minutes only to get pictures, another disappointment about this tour. The Egyptian hawkers are really pushy. They make it really difficult to enjoy the place. We then all piled in to the 120 coaches and set back for Port Said another 3.5 hours away with no air conditioning and no toilet!! All the buses arrived at the port at around 2000 and the ship and port authority did little to arrange our re-entry, it was a free for all with 1000+ passengers trying to get through gates and into the ship. There was only chaos and we had to pick Michael up or he would have got trampled. Everyone was very tired by this stage, a 12+ hour tour!! It was a real pity by my view of it all was that the tour company was far too ambitious to fit all this in one day and the result was a very rushed, uncomfortable tour. We went, we took our photos and left but had little time to soak it all in. The next day the line at the complaints desk on the ship was very long needless to say!! The next day we visited Alexandria also in Egypt. A very important city if you are a history buff. This is where Cleopatra and Mark Anthony spent a lot of time, a very important port, the biggest for Egypt (excluding trade through the Suez Canal). We loved the Pyramids and Sphinx, pity for the lack of time. The next few days were spent travelling back to Rome where we ended this 12 day trip. What a great experience!!Read more
- Cruise Name: Grand Princess
- Destination: Mediterranean
- Sailed: November 2008
- 0 Helpful votes
- 0 Cruise reviews
- 0 Cruises
"Med/Eqypt cruise"
The ports were great, it was the first time they had been to Egypt and despite warnings people ate what they shouldn't and strict hygene rules were put in place after that port. There was food 24/7 thanks to a round the clock buffet, the restaurant food was better than the buffet but it was still very good. Next to the pool there was complimentary pizza and burgers (on other ships you have to pay). The shore tours were very expensive (as you would expect) but not waiting in a line for hours was great. We didn't have to worry about being ripped off or getting lost. We worked out that it cost about NZ$300 per person per night. The ship was beautiful with three pools and seven spas. The staff were professional. Nzers may not be as comfortable on a Princess Cruise as on a P&O (despite Princess being more luxurious) as the feel is very different. On P&O the crew and passengers are much more laid back and friendly - but if you are travelling with people this won't bother you at all on a Princess Cruise.Read more
- Cruise Name: Grand Princess
- Destination: Mediterranean
- Sailed: October 2008


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January 8, 2013
Immigration Makes Up Most of Federal Law Enforcement Spending
The United States spent nearly $18 billion on immigration enforcement in fiscal 2012, about 24 percent more than it spent collectively on the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Secret Service and all other criminal law enforcement agencies, according to a report.
September 28, 2012
Parents Owing Child Support Avoid Jail (Not For Free)
In Virginia, where parents owe more than $2 billion, a program helps solve the underlying issues that keep them from paying up.
September 28, 2012
Helping the Elderly During Disasters
As baby boomers age and more older Americans choose to live at home, governments face new challenges trying to plan for and respond to disasters.
August 31, 2012
States Struggle to Identify Disabilities in Older Drivers
Older drivers are keeping their licenses for longer and getting behind the wheel more often than ever before. Should this worry all the other drivers?
July 31, 2012
High School Majors Help Some States Cut Dropout Rate
Requiring freshman to "specialize" in particular subjects helped Florida significantly increase its graduation rate and decrease its dropout rate. Georgia is hoping for similar results.
May 31, 2012
Governments Discover Need for Mental Health First Aid
Mental disorders are more common than heart disease and cancer combined -- one reason states and localities are teaching their employees how to recognize the signs of mental health problems and how to help.
May 18, 2012
Incumbent Governors on the Campaign Trail
At least seven governors are facing reelection this year.
April 20, 2012
New Indiana Law Gives Residents Right to Resist Police
A new law likely makes Indiana the only state where people are allowed to shoot cops under certain circumstances. The change, police officials say, not only puts officer's safety at risk but the public's too.
March 30, 2012
Meth Lab Cleanup Program Contains Costs for Tenn.
Meth labs are on the rise again and federal funding can't keep up. Now states have to pick up the mess -- and the bill.
March 21, 2012
St. Louis Firefighters Vote to Hire Lawyer Regarding Mayor's Pension Bills
Five trustees voted to hire a lawyer to potentially sue the city if one of Mayor Francis Slay's pension overhaul bills to control and reduce pensions goes into effect.
March 19, 2012
Los Angeles OKs Redistricting Maps Despite Race Concerns
Two black local representatives in Los Angeles have accused the city's Redistricting Commission of violating the federal Voting Rights Act.
March 19, 2012
California Elections Expected to be Difficult for Incumbents, Third-Party Candidates
Incumbents and third-party candidates in California are going to have a tougher time getting re-elected this year thanks to new redistricting lines and new rules.
March 17, 2012
Spring Break! How Cities Prepare for an Increase in Tourists
Fun-loving college students present some public safety challenges for local officials.
March 16, 2012
Arlington, Va., Fire Chief: Cities' Emergency Response Could Suffer Due to Funding Change
Over 120 cities use a Metropolitan Medical Response System to create plans for homeland security threats in their community. Their ability to respond, however, may be inhibited with the loss of direct federal funding.
March 14, 2012
New Tools Estimate Potential Cost Savings for Upgrading Public Safety IT
Last month, IBM released two tools that give police, fire and emergency medical services an estimate of the direct and indirect savings that could come from upgrading their IT infrastructure.
March 8, 2012
Court: Boston Doesn't Have to Pay State's Share of Quinn Bill
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court unamimously ruled that municipalities don't have to pay college educated police officers what the state owes them, reports the Boston Globe.
March 7, 2012
Abstinence-Only Bill Sent to Utah Governor
The bill overcame its last legislative hurdle when it passed the state Senate 19-10 -- mostly along party lines.
March 6, 2012
Utah, Arizona Lawmakers Try to Eliminate Polygamous Town's Police
While former polygamy sect leader Warren Jeffs is serving his time in prison for marrying and sexually assaulting minors, lawmakers are trying to take down his town's authority.
March 6, 2012
FBI Busts Six 'Anonymous' Hackers
The computer hacker group Anonymous that's compromised dozens of state and local government websites is no longer true to its name.
March 5, 2012
Local Pilots Divert Nonemergency 911 Calls
Pilot programs in the Pacific Northwest distinguish between emergency and nonemergency 911 calls.
March 3, 2012
D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier on Post-9/11 Info Sharing
Speaking at the annual AFCEA Homeland Security Conference, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier discussed the importance of information sharing in public safety and the improvements the region has made since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
March 1, 2012
IT Security Conference Responds to Threat from Anonymous
This week, government and industry representatives are convening at the annual AFCEA Homeland Security Conference in Washington, D.C. to discuss among other issues, cybersecurity and how to protect the government from hacker groups like Anonymous.
February 29, 2012
David Bragdon: New York City's Sustainability Man
David Bragdon is responsible for making sure the city meets more than 400 sustainability goals before next year.
February 27, 2012
Indiana-IBM Trial over Welfare Modernization Contract Begins
Today marks day one of a six-week trial to settle a dispute between Indiana and technology mogul IBM.
February 24, 2012
Arizona Gov. Asked to Testify Before Immigration Law Heads to Court
Before the U.S. Supreme Court hears the arguments for and against Arizona's controversial immigration law, the leader of a Senate immigration panel wants to hear the governor's opinion on the issue.
February 23, 2012
South Dakota Bill to Limit Inmate Appeals Awaits Gov.'s Signature
Sitting on the governor's desk is a bill that would limit the number of times people can appeal their serious criminal convictions.
February 21, 2012
GOP Candidates Travel to Arizona
The four Republican presidential candidates still standing will take the stage in Mesa, Ariz., tomorrow -- just under one week before the state's primary.
February 21, 2012
Arkansas Gov.: GOP Budget Could Lead to Layoffs
The state's Republican party wants to chip away 3 percent from 11 agencies -- a cut that, according to Gov. Mike Beebe's office, could send at least 76 state workers packing.
February 16, 2012
Montgomery County, Md., Fire Replacing 900 Radios
The process of replacing 900 shoulder microphones for firefighters in Montgomery County, Md., is underway, according to public information officer Scott Graham of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.
February 15, 2012
'Unprecedented' Bills to Downsize Michigan Courts Head to Governor
For years, the Michigan Supreme Court has urged communities to reduce the size of their courts -- and for years, most communities ignored this recommendation. So lawmakers took the matter into their own hands.
February 15, 2012
Michigan Senate OKs Voting Law Changes
One of the bills would require people to show photo IDs to register to vote, another would make people who volunteer to help with voter registration drives complete training, and the other would require people applying to vote to prove their citizenship.
February 15, 2012
L.A. Mayor Picked to Lead DNC in Charlotte
Antonio Villaraigosa is one of the nation's most well-known Latino politicians, and the Latino vote is expected to be key in this election.
February 14, 2012
Judge OKs California DOJ Layoffs
California Department of Justice employees argued that Gov. Brown only ordered the layoffs as political payback, but the judge disagreed. Now, 81 people will soon be out of a job.
February 14, 2012
Arizona, Washington to Seek NCLB Waivers
Arizona and Washington state have both decided to seek waivers from the federal No Child Left Behind law, which mandates every student to be proficient in math and reading by 2014.
February 13, 2012
Obama Administration Requests $39.5 Billion for Homeland Security
In the fiscal year 2013 federal budget proposal released Monday, the Obama administration proposed pouring $500 million more into state and local governments this fiscal year, but also wants to make sure they spend what has already given them.
February 13, 2012
Public Safety Bolstered Under Obama's Budget
The White House seeks $290 million for the Justice Department's COPS Program.
February 10, 2012
Developer's Potential Run Heats Up Sacramento Council Race
The Sacramento mayor's chief fundraiser is planning to join the city council race, but before he can, he has a lot of packing to do.
February 7, 2012
Appeals Court: California's Gay-Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
The court's ruling likely sets the stage for a U.S. Supreme Court showdown.
February 7, 2012
Do Police Departments Save Money By Making Officers Work Longer?
Many police departments moved to 10- and 12-hour shifts to cope with the recession. A new study shows that 10-hour shifts are best to reduce expenses and preserve quality of life.
February 6, 2012
Uninsured Artists Swap Health Care for Performances
New York City artists can now earn health credits for doctor visits and more if they offer their time and talents to hospital patients.
February 2, 2012
Univ. of Vermont is Latest to Ban Plastic Water Bottles
Hoping to save money and the environment, a dozen colleges have stopped selling bottled water on campus.
February 1, 2012
Denver Post Reporter Wins 2012 Hovey-Harkness Award for Public Service Journalism
Chris Osher has earned a journalism award, presented by Governing, for his investigative series of Colorado's poorly-managed state enterprise zone program that sparked proposed legislative change.
January 31, 2012
Asst. Labor Secretary: States Need to Communicate with Employers to Create Jobs
The U.S. Labor Department's Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Jane Oates said the places with the best job outlook are those that have direct communication with businesses.
January 31, 2012
School-Based Health Centers Reap Benefits
Studies have found that SBHCs improve students' health-care access and school success. Now, the Obama administration is helping more states finance them.
January 30, 2012
Maryland Considering Incentives for Work in 'Health Enterprise Zones'
The idea of offering financial incentives to boost services in select areas is common for economic development -- but rarely used to improve health care.
January 26, 2012
New York City Uses ARRA Funds for Hybrid Street Sweepers
They're expected to improve the city's finances and carbon footprint.
January 23, 2012
Minneapolis Uses Foursquare to Share Tips with Citizens
The city aims to promote its services and programs with people who check-in around the city.
January 23, 2012
U.S. Supreme Court Overturns California Slaughterhouse Law
The justices unanimously struck down a state law that would have required slaughterhouses to euthanize animals that can't walk and kept the meat from being eaten.
January 19, 2012
Courtroom Violence on the Rise
A Minn. courthouse shooting and a judge's decision to refuse cases in unsafe buildings sheds light on the increasingly unsafe conditions of many courtrooms around the country.
January 19, 2012
EPA Quiz Gives Answers for Financing Green Projects
The "Financing Program Decision Tool" shows state and local governments their best options for paying for energy upgrades.
January 18, 2012
Top Montana Ethics Leader Resigns Amid Allegations
Commissioner of Political Practices Dave Gallik resigned after every member of his staff accused him of making the state pay for time he was working on private matters, which he denies.
January 16, 2012
One R.I. School Goes Paperless in 2013
The state will supply an electronic device for every student in one school, cutting down on heavy and easily outdated textbooks.
January 13, 2012
Competition for Montana Supreme Court Seat Heats Up
District Judge Laurie McKinnon, who was named judge of the year in 2010, has announced that she's joining the race to take retiring Justice James Nelson's seat.
January 12, 2012
Colorado Governor Delivers State of the State
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper touched on a host of divisive issues in his State of the State address today, including the budget, economy and civil unions.
January 12, 2012
Woodbridge Housing Authority Is First to Turn to Wind Energy
The agency in Woodbridge Township, N.J., is using wind energy to save more than $6 million and keep greenhouse gases out of the air.
January 11, 2012
Energy, Pipeline Policies Center Montana Governor's Race
Mont. state Sen. Larry Jent, who's trailing behind his challenger in campaign fundraising, may be turning the tide of what's so far been a quiet gubernatorial race.
January 11, 2012
Montana Lawmakers Want to Save Supreme Court Ballot Measure
In Montana, a group of voters are trying to strike a measure from the June primary ballot and a group of Republican lawmakers want permission to stop them.
January 10, 2012
States Consider Following Calif.'s Suit and Banning Tanning
Several states may soon join California, which at the start of this year became the first state to make it illegal for teenagers to use cancer-causing tanning beds.
January 9, 2012
Conn. Gives Private Medicaid Insurers the Boot
The "insurance capital of the world" is only the second state to assume the health program's financial responsibility in the last decade.
January 6, 2012
Mass. Scrambles to Fund Health Coverage for Legal Immigrants After Ruling
The Bay State's highest court ruled that all eligible legal immigrants must get the option of low-cost subsidized health insurance.
January 5, 2012
Utah Legislator to Consider Charging Medicaid Users for Smoking
A Utah state lawmaker wants to make Medicaid users who smoke pay higher co-payments. If enacted, it might be the first law of its kind.
January 5, 2012
A Library for Helping Limited English Speakers
This online Language Portal holds thousands of government documents designed to help people who speak limited to no English.
January 2, 2012
Mich. Program Gets Prisoners Out of Costly Isolation Cells
Some states are putting prisoners in isolation at increasing rates. A Mich. penitentiary program that has caught the attention of other states is looking to do the opposite.
December 30, 2011
Legislative Issues to Watch in 2012
These nine topics will shape debate in state legislatures in 2012.
December 22, 2011
The Best Government Ideas of 2011
Governing reviewed all its Idea Center entries throughout 2011 to share a select few for their unique approach to common problems.
December 20, 2011
Former Utah House Speaker Resigns to Run for Congress
A few resignations are passing through the Utah Legislature this month. The reason? State law bars lawmakers from fundraising for public office during the legislative session, which is just around the corner.
December 19, 2011
Wyo. Reality TV Show Aims to Get Kids Outside
"Wyoming's Call of the Wild" aims to get more kids interested in hunting, fishing and other outdoor pursuits.
December 16, 2011
Dan Liljenquist Resigns from Utah Senate for Possible U.S. Senate Run
Just weeks after accepting Governing's Public Officials of the Year award, Utah Sen. Dan Liljenquist has resigned -- a move that many speculate is because he plans to run for Congress.
December 15, 2011
New Colo. Education Website Gives Schools Letter Grades
A new system backed by 18 community groups gives parents and educators an easy-to-understand system to compare schools.
December 12, 2011
USDA Offers Insurance to Mont., N.D. Farmers to Grow Oilseed Crop for Biofuel
The camelina crop can be converted into renewable energy, possibly bringing new jobs to rural America. But until now, farmers lacked the incentive and insurance to grow it.
December 8, 2011
Schools Can Finally Give Leftovers to Food Banks
A recent change in federal law gives schools an alternative to throwing unused food in the trash.
December 5, 2011
Several States May Open Horse Slaughterhouses
Four years after the last horse slaughterhouse in the country closed, President Barack Obama paved the way for new plants to pop up.
December 5, 2011
Transferring 911 Mental-Health Calls Could Reduce Harm
An Oregon county will begin transferring 911 calls from people having mental-health crises to qualified professionals who can keep callers out of jail and danger.
December 1, 2011
Nashville Library Delivery Service Boosts Literacy
Instead of waiting for students to go to the library, which can be difficult since most aren't of driving age, Nashville Public Library is bringing the books to them.
November 28, 2011
Sending Sunlight Down to an Underground Park
A proposal to transform an inoperative New York City trolley terminal into an underground park could bring in money for the city.
November 21, 2011
N.Y. Credits Military Experience for Jobs, Education
The Cuomo administration strives to make military experience transfer into college credit and job certifications.
November 18, 2011
Utah May Offer Health Insurance in Exchange for Community Service
Utah health officials are mulling over the idea of giving health insurance to cash-strapped people in exchange for community service.
November 17, 2011
More States Offering Low-Interest College Loans
Some students have sought every form of financial aid possible and still can't afford college. Some states are stepping up to help.
November 16, 2011
Oil Pipelines at Risk of Failure in Mont., Wyo.
Federal inspectors have found hundreds of problematic pipelines in Montana and Wyoming that are at risk of causing another oil spill in the region.
November 15, 2011
Advocates Urge Congress to Fight State Voting Changes
Advocates want Congress to pass legislation to combat new state laws that they say will disenfranchise young, elderly, minority, disabled and low-income voters.
November 14, 2011
Cops' New Weapon for Accountability: Cameras
More and more police officers are walking around with body cameras on their uniforms in hopes of increasing transparency and accountability.
November 14, 2011
Supreme Court to Hear Health Care Reform Law
The nation's highest court will hear the case in March, but a ruling isn't expected until June – in the midst of the 2012 presidential campaign.
November 11, 2011
Almost-Retired Lawmaker to Run for Utah Governor
State lawmaker Ken Sumsion will run on a campaign to reform public school spending and gain access to the state's federally controlled lands.
November 10, 2011
Oregon Is First State to Vote by iPad
The technology helps people with disabilities cast their ballots easily and more privately.
November 9, 2011
Eight States Launch Anti-Meth Websites
The websites feature graphic images and chilling statistics about the risks associated with methamphetamines.
November 8, 2011
Idaho, Mont. Wolf Hunts Head to Court
After two failed attempts to temporarily halt the hunting of wolves in Idaho and Montana, wildlife advocates are trying a third time today.
November 8, 2011
Idaho Works Out Details for Online Class Requirement
After Idaho became the first state to require high school students to take two online credits last week, state education officials are working on ways to keep as much of the taxpayers money in schools as possible.
November 7, 2011
Massachusetts Makes Use of Leftover Crops
The Massachusetts Gleaning Network will connect growers and volunteers in efforts to provide food in case of emergencies.
November 3, 2011
Judges Negotiate Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
In New York courts, which face a swarm of liability lawsuits, medically trained judges and attorneys work together to reduce the money and time spent on such cases.
November 1, 2011
Supreme Court Rejects Utah Church-State Case
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request yesterday to revisit the constitutionality of religious symbols on government property.
October 31, 2011
States Link Databases to Fight Prescription Drug Abuse
Drug dealers and addicts often jump borders to beat the system. Several states are trying to keep that from happening.
October 28, 2011
SCOTUS Preview: From the Courthouse to the Slaughterhouse
Many of the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court cases may affect state courts.
October 27, 2011
More Cities Will Get 'Smarter' in 2012
IBM will give $50 million in grants and expert advice to cities that want to solve their problems using data-based solutions.
October 27, 2011
Great Lakes States Ask High Court to Block Waterways
After the U.S. Supreme Court twice rejected requests from Michigan to close off Chicago area waterways to the invasive Asian carp species, the state is hoping there's influence in numbers.
October 24, 2011
Finding Jobs on Facebook
The site is for more than social networking now. It could be how someone lands their next job.
October 20, 2011
Greening Public Housing
Indianapolis is among a few cities in the country making public housing a sustainable way to live.
October 17, 2011
Sacramento Offers 'Wheels to Work' for All
People can't secure jobs without showing up to interviews. Sacramento County is making sure homeless people can.
October 13, 2011
New Online Tool Tracks Personal Taxes
The City of Houston has created a new tool to show taxpayers how their dollars are spent -- down to the very last cent.
October 12, 2011
A Quick Lesson in Job Statistics
There seems to be confusion about jobs and the workforce in Illinois, so let's clear it up a bit.
October 10, 2011
Google Helps Local Businesses Get Online
At no cost and in under an hour, businesses in ten states can create a website with the help of a web marketing pro.
October 6, 2011
Phoenix Metro Area Recycles Waste, Buildings to Fight Sprawl
Waste and rundown buildings are helping the region improve its neighborhoods at an affordable rate.
October 5, 2011
Medicaid, Criminal Justice Cases Start Supreme Court Term
While it's still uncertain whether the fate of the Affordable Care Act will be in the hands of the nation's top nine justices, a number of cases involving Medicaid and criminal justice could impact states.
October 3, 2011
Calif. Expands Recycling to Renters
A new state law requires apartment buildings to offer the option that many take for granted.
September 30, 2011
Student Solutions to Environmental Problems Save Governments Money
Tapping into young peoples' creativity in search of green improvements has paid off for an Alaskan school district and its taxpayers.
September 29, 2011
Veterans Fight Unemployment with Fire
The California Conservation Corps is the latest to offer returning military personnel training in wildfire prevention, making them attractive candidates for firefighting and forestry jobs.
September 27, 2011
States Get Federal Funding to Employ People with Disabilities
Seven states are set to receive federal funding to create employment networks for people with disabilities.
September 26, 2011
Adding Asian Carp to Peoples' Palate
Illinois wants to serve the invasive species as a healthy, cheap option in food banks. But first, people must be willing to eat it.
September 22, 2011
Wash. and Va. High School Students Get IT Certified
Following North Carolina's lead, both states will offer computer technology training and IT certifications to all public high school students.
September 21, 2011
Report: First Time in 10 Years, More State Tax Reductions Than Raises
Despite budget deficits, states reduced more taxes than they raised in 2011, a recent National Conference of State Legislatures report found.
September 19, 2011
Hiring the Homeless to Build Their Own Houses
A Washington, D.C., program could be a model for weaning people off welfare, reducing the homeless population and improving the look of cities.
September 15, 2011
Prisoners Refurbish Recycled Computers for Agency's Use
A South Carolina prison is taking advantage of a new recycling law to save on IT spending.
September 12, 2011
Planning the Future -- for Free
MIT just released a program that shows city planners and policymakers how their decisions would affect urban growth.
September 8, 2011
Making Smart-Meter Stats Even More Accessible
People could pay more attention to energy data if it's displayed alongside personal photos in a digital frame.
September 1, 2011
Political Boot Camp for South Florida's Leaders
A new program offers rookie elected officials a crash course in government, hoping they'll avoid predecessors' mistakes.
August 31, 2011
How A County Reduces Homeless and Jail Populations
Unlike most shelters, this one offers a place for people with mental illness and substance use problems to avoid jail and better their situations.
August 29, 2011
Terminal Bee
The nation's first beehive farm, located at O'Hare, is creating some buzz by providing ex-convicts jobs, increasing bee populations and keeping runways clear.
August 25, 2011
Schools Start Cooking from Scratch Again
After years of serving factory-made food to students, Colorado schools have found an affordable way to offer healthy, freshly cooked meals.
August 22, 2011
The Hearing Impaired Get Involved in Emergency Response
For the first time in Texas, special-needs groups are being targeted for community emergency response training.
August 18, 2011
Making Use of the Shoulder Lane
Hoping to improve public transit's reliability and encourage its use, Illinois will allow selected buses to drive in the shoulder during rush hour.
August 15, 2011
Turning Toilet Water into Drinking Water
Facing extreme drought, municipalities in west Texas are beginning to recycle wastewater.
August 11, 2011
Therapy Dogs Bring Comfort to the Courtroom
Courts in several states allow stress-detecting dogs to face the stand with child witnesses.
August 8, 2011
Second Municipality to Allow People to Text 911
The "text-to-911" pilot will allow citizens who can't call 911 in Durham County, N.C., to connect with emergency operators.
August 4, 2011
Finding Summer Employment for Crossing Guards
Having crossing guards write parking tickets ends their paycheck-less summers and generates more money for the city.
August 1, 2011
America's First All-Electric Car Sharing Program
With 1,500 charging stations already in place, San Diego was selected to be the first city with such a service.
July 29, 2011
Providing Work Opportunities and Food to the Hungry
A county in North Carolina created a community garden so the unemployed can work for benefits, training and food.
July 28, 2011
'Secret Shoppers' Keep Tabs on NYC Supermarkets
A new initiative educates customers about their rights and allows them to easily report any violations that may result in overcharges.
July 25, 2011
Wellness Insurance Plan Improves State Workers' Health
Nebraska's public employees reportedly ate healthier, smoked less, exercised more and experienced less stress since enrolling in the new plan.
July 21, 2011
Medically Equipped Motorcycles Increase Response Time
The bikes enable paramedics to weave through traffic faster than ambulances.
July 18, 2011
The Northeast's First Cyber Disruption Team
Rhode Island has assembled a team to battle cyber disruptions that result from natural disasters, viruses or attacks.
July 14, 2011
Creating Competition for Charter Schools
Massachusetts is opening more "innovation schools" this fall to keep kids from transferring to charter schools and taking education dollars with them.
July 7, 2011
Learn Here, Live Here
Connecticut lawmakers want to offer its graduates a homebuyer tax credit to keep them from fleeing the state.
July 7, 2011
Funkhouser Leads The GOVERNING Institute
International auditing expert and former Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Mark Funkhouser will lead The GOVERNING Institute, a new research and advisory institute for state and local leaders.
June 30, 2011
Hoping for Brighter Budgets
The Arizona Department of Transportation is using solar-powered technology to reduce its fuel consumption and save money.
June 30, 2011
Do Superintendents Need Classroom Experience?
In recent years, state legislators and school boards nationwide have been paving the way for people with little or no education experience to lead districts.
June 29, 2011
N.Y. Union Negotiations Not Quite a Victory Yet
It is true that leaders of New York's Civil Service Employees Association agreed to a major pay and benefits contract. But this should not be mistaken as a victory for Gov. Cuomo or a concession from the union yet.
June 27, 2011
Seeing Solar Energy's Impact in Numbers
A new map calculates the potential, annual savings and environmental impact that solar panels would have on every building in New York City.
June 23, 2011
Lessening the Impact of Small Fines
Marin County, Calif., launched a community court to void certain unpaid fines for homeless and low-income people.
June 20, 2011
Providing and Protecting Volunteer Dentists
New laws in the Midwest remove disincentives for retired dentists to volunteer their services to low-cost clinics.
June 16, 2011
Cleaning the Way Out of Homelessness
In San Jose, homeless people who assist in cleaning local creeks can receive food, shelter and employment in return.
June 13, 2011
Keeping Misdemeanor Offenders Out of Jail
A new law in Kentucky gives police officers more power to judge offenders, hoping it will free up space in jails.
June 6, 2011
Infrared Technology for Repairing Roads
Several municipalities have found a quicker way to reduce the costs and traffic associated with road repairs.
June 2, 2011
An Educational Use for Cooking Oil
Instead of urging residents to throw their used cooking oil away, Dallas converts it into bio-fuel for school buses.
May 31, 2011
Is It OK to Text While Lawmaking?
The legality of texting while lawmaking has been cause for debate, but Texas may be the first state to ban the practice altogether.
May 26, 2011
Prioritizing Homes for LA's Homeless
Members of the Hollywood community banded together to find homes for the homeless – making those in the greatest danger their top priority.
May 23, 2011
Txting Ur State Gov't
Arkansas is the first state to allow citizens to text the government with questions.
May 19, 2011
From Michigan Farms to Your Plate
MSU researchers are developing a way for conscious consumers to track their beef down to the individual animal.
May 16, 2011
Making Emissions Testing Less of a Hassle
Tennessee is reigniting the use of remote sensing technology to test emissions while vehicles are on the road.
May 12, 2011
Minn. Counties Push for More Pilot Program Flexibility
A bill in the Minn. Legislature seeks to expand counties' power so they can launch innovative programs without dealing with red tape.
May 9, 2011
CA Investigating Sewage as Potential Energy Source
A two-year, $1 million pilot will determine if this renewable source can be used for electricity.
May 5, 2011
Top 25 Innovations in Government Selected
From the facilitation of video chatting with inmates to planning for the next natural disaster, here's a look at the nation's best problem-solving programs.
May 2, 2011
'Neighborhood Courts' to Reduce Crowding, Cut Costs
San Francisco's one-of-a-kind program puts nonviolent criminals to work for clean records.
April 28, 2011
Reducing Repeat 911 Callers
A pilot program that saved the Baltimore City Fire Department money and increased their efficiency has become a permanent fixture.
April 26, 2011
Report: Economic Downturn Widened Pension Funding Gap
Newly released data show how the Great Recession exacerbated states' ability to fund pensions.
April 25, 2011
Reducing Pollution -- One Bulldozer at a Time
N.J. will retrofit construction equipment and impose stricter emissions standards to improve air quality.
April 21, 2011
Online Courses Help Students Manage Money
School districts are teaming with credit unions to help students meet financial literacy requirements in a flexible way.
April 18, 2011
Jobs on Wheels
Tennessee will roll out three vehicles to rural areas, bringing job-search assistance to those who need it most.
April 14, 2011
New Phone App for Filing Federal and State Taxes
With a few days left, iPhone and Android users can file their taxes with a few clicks.
April 11, 2011
Rebirth of the American Farmer
A pilot project in Washington state aims to attract more youth to farming by making internships safer and more educational.
April 7, 2011
Phasing Out The Big, Red Fire Truck
Notoriously gas-guzzling SUVs are being used in place of fire trucks to reduce fuel usage and costs.
April 4, 2011
Program Aims to Prevent Gun Violence 'Disease'
A New Orleans initiative identifies those in contact with shooting victims and tries to keep the violence from spreading.
March 31, 2011
'Talking Bus' Technology Prevents Pedestrian Accidents
In several cities, buses alert pedestrians when they are making a turn.
March 28, 2011
Prepaying for Electricity in Ocala, Fla.
Residents will have the option to pay their electricity usage similar to the way they pay for gas -- upfront.
March 24, 2011
Drive-bys Reduce Western Mass. Residents' Heating Costs
A new state pilot program is using thermal imaging technology inside SUVs to evaluate and improve the energy performance of homes.
March 21, 2011
Failing High Schoolers Get a Dose of Reality
A new program in Hawaii high schools shows students what their life could be like if they don't improve their grades.
March 17, 2011
Five Localities Aim to Eliminate Junk Mail
One program has the potential to save municipal governments up to $10 per household in collection and landfill costs.
March 14, 2011
Online Citizen Profiles Improve Emergency Response
Citizens that upload vital information into online profiles allow emergency call centers to improve their speed and quality of assistance.
February 24, 2011
Mental Health Court Cuts Spending and Reduces Crime
A program to treat, rather than jail, the mentally ill in Colorado has saved the county and state $600,000.