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A Safer Workplace……
Many businesses are required to provide first aid training for their employees. There are many benefits of having them complete first aid training and in the case of an emergency in the workplace, the more employees who are first aid trained the better the chance that one will be present if an accident occurs. Employees who have completed first aid training are also more likely to be more knowledgeable and conscious of safe behavior in the business environment, thus preventing injuries in the first place.
A Safer Home…….
Whether you are a single parent, married couple or an active family, first aid training in the home can greatly increase your family's safety. Should an accident occur, having a knowledge of first aid could make all the difference. We believe that while it's important for parents and grandparents to have first aid training, children can also complete training in many areas of first aid. We have designed and developed our very own children focused first aid course, Bump and Graze. Training your children will not only increase their personal safety, but yours as well if you are ever injured.
Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (3 Day FAW)
It is a requirement of the Health & Safety(first aid) Regulations 1981 that employers provide a safe environment for their employees. If the assessment of First Aid needs highlights the need for qualified First Aiders, then this Level 3 qualification (Level 6 in Scotland) will provide you with suitable, highly trained personnel.
Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work refresher (2 Day FAW)
This course will meet your requirements if your assessment of first aid needs highlights the need to maintain the qualification of your existing First Aiders.
Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (1 Day EFAW)
Where an organisation's risk assessment of First Aid needs identifies that there is a requirement for Emergency First Aiders , then these national Awards for Emergency First Aid at Work satisfies the requirements of Ofqual and The Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Level 2 Award in CPR & AED (1 Day Defibrillation)
This very practical course will enable your learners to use an AED competently and with confidence. Not only does this course deal with the use of an AED but it also includes vital training in resuscitation and choking procedures.
Level 3 Award in Paediatric and Emergency Paediatric First Aid (1 or 2 Day)
This course has been developed for those who are working with children and infants. It is ideal for individuals who are responsible for children and infants and who wish to gain a nationally accredited Level 3 Award. The two-day course satisfies the guidelines and criteria as laid down by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and OFSTED.
Annual Refresher (3 hours)
Although it is not mandatory, we strongly recommend that qualified First Aiders and Emergency First Aiders undertake an annual refresher course in order to keep their skills up-to-date.
Bump and Graze (7 – 16 year olds)
Bump and Graze offers children the opportunity to learn first aid and gain lifesaving skills in a fun and engaging learning environment. The older members (14-16 year olds) can acquire a professional Level 2 or Level 3 Award, valid for 3 years and approved by Ofqual. This qualification would be an asset to any learner, whether they are applying for work or a place at college.
Parents First Aid Course
At Aim High, we believe that knowledge of First Aid is essential in everyday life and especially when you have children. We offer very relaxed, informal sessions to give parents, grandparents and babysitters the basic lifesaving skills they would need in any emergency situation.
Book with us today!
I have just completed the Level 2 first aid course, what an excellent teacher Aimie is. She made the session fun and interesting. The whole day was very relaxed and informal. This way I think you do learn much more. You can't beat doing practical sessions. I much prefer this to sitting in front of a computer. Well done Aimie, I would certainly recommend this course to others.Helen Roycroft, Holistic Therapist and Registered Nurse
I've been wanting to do a Parents First Aid course for a while now, have been looking around on the internet but there was nothing available that would work around the family. I came across Aim High and emailed them, got a reply the same day, I loved how flexible they were, they would come to our house to do the course (or where ever suited us) and they were not worried about having certain number of people! They said they care about teaching people the lifesaving skills not numbers!Maarja, Attendee on a Parents First Aid course
Aimie has run 3 First Aid courses for my Complementary Therapy colleagues and each time they go home having worked hard, had some fun and confident that they could help someone in an emergency. I have taken a few First Aid courses and often been really bored but not with Aimie as she makes the session fun and interesting. She is so enthusiastic about her subject that everyone learns well. I would highly recommend her training to anyone who needs a First Aid qualificationRuth Chambers, Director - Life Balance UK
Aim High provided top quality first aid training for our Brownie pack. It was delivered in a fun, simple and interactive way to ensure maximum learning for the girls. High quality booklets were also provided at the end of each session. We will definitely book Aim High again next year.Toni Hall, Brown Owl, Borrowash, Derby
I have just completed the Level 2 - Emergency First Aid at Work course. We learnt as a small group of 5 people and our trainer, Aimie Chatfield, was an excellent teacher who could communicate and explain things very well. Our questions were answered clearly and she was able to call upon personal experiences to validate things we were learning. On the whole, a very enjoyable and worthwhile course.Mandy Smith, Photographer
A very professional and friendly trainer. I feel more confident and secure in my ability to deliver first aid, both in and out of workKelly Gallimore, Teaching Assistant
Aimie Chatfield provided a First Aid for Parents course in our home and I cannot believe this is not compulsory learning for new parents!? I feel much more confident to deal with situations (choking etc) that may arise with my twin babies now. Very much worth two hours of anybody's time. Thanks Aimie.Belinda Leicester, Attendee on a Parents First Aid course
RammSanderson Ecology Ltd work outside in all weathers, often in/near water and often at night. We contracted Aim High to deliver a Level 3 first aid course, but Aimie went beyond our requirements and expectations by tailoring the content to suit our remote, outdoor working and also included CPR techniques for children and babies just in case. We will be retaining Aim High for all future first aid training needs and would thoroughly recommend them. We especially liked Aimie's easy going nature which delivered an in-depth learning experience without being lectured to.Oliver Ramm, Director, RammSanderson
I attended one of Aim Highs training courses, I found both Bonnie and Aimie to be engaging and found the course content to be very useful for me in the workplace. I would have no hesitation in using them again.Debbie Joseph, Managing Director - Unity8 UK Ltd
Cavara Training use Aim High to deliver our first aid related courses. They are highly professional and a pleasure to work withLizzie, Cavara Training
Having spent years and years attending different first aid courses for my career as a child minder, I can honestly say that I've never had as much fun as I did with you two ladies. I just wanted to say thank you for teaching me some new things and for making the past two days so relaxed and enjoyable!!Maria, Childminder and Nightnurse
All the staff that attended the course said how much they enjoyed it and learnt so much. It was interesting and enjoyable and got the brain cells working as well. The content was variable and the way in which it was taught was reflected around our work environment which made it more practicable which helps retain the contact for reference in the futureJane Evans, Training Manager at Rosemary Lodge Care Home
We regularly use Aim High to deliver Health and Safety Training on-site (including First Aid, Fire Safety and Manual Handling). We have found the training delivery to be excellent, specifically tailored to our needs and the training arrangements very flexible. The Trainer has a warm, friendly and down-to-earth approach, building an excellent rapport during training and making the delivery as interesting as possible. Highly recommended!Annita Nicolaou , Training Manager at Beales Hotels Ltd
The course was very good and the trainer was amazing, very friendly and put us at easeDiane Jones, Attendee on a Parents First Aid course
I just wanted to drop you a very quick, but very big and heartfelt "Thank-you!" for last weeks' First Aid Instructors course. I really enjoyed myself and learnt a lot from two people who clearly know how to inspire everyone about first aid delivery and everything that goes with it. I'm delivering my first FAW course next week and thanks to you two, I'm feeling quite excited now.Stuart, Specialist Trainer - Brookdale House
I thought that the First Aid training provided was great. Aimie Chatfield was great at making the course fun and easy to understand. She explained things very well and drew on her own experiences to advise us. I can't comment on the value for money as my employer provided the course and I am not aware of the cost.Joanne Hawkins, Attendee on a Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work course
The atmosphere is relaxed but still very informative. I would recommend the workshop to parents to gain some very practical and helpful tips and those working with children as a taster course with a view to doing the certified Paediatric course – which is what I will be doing with Aim High.Manjit, Attendee on a Parents First Aid course


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UPDATE: Miklosi campaign dismisses accusation as a "silly ploy."
With his re-election contest gaining traction, Republican Rep. Mike Coffman Tuesday announced senior campaign staffers and presented an audio clip of Democratic challenger, Joe Miklosi, proclaiming his campaign has staffers he doesn't know.
In the audio clip from a May event highlighting Miklosi's acceptance into the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Red-to-Blue program, he's heard saying "they're (the DCCC) paying for my staff. I have people in my office; I don't even know who they are."
The recording was obtained and released by the Coffman campaign.
In a news release, Coffman charges that Miklosi is bragging to supporters in backrooms that his campaign is staffed by hired-guns from Washington.

subset: commoncrawl


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Napa grape growers fret over their future amid severe drought
YOUNTVILLE, Calif. -- California's drought has farmers worried about protecting Napa Valley's reputation for world-class wines.
It's 75 degrees and cloudless outside, and the conference hall in downtown Yountville -- an enclave of upscale inns, restaurants and tasting rooms -- is filled with more than 100 grape growers, mostly gray-haired, wearing plaid shirts and jeans.
"I've never had sunny weather make me feel so gloomy," said Jon Ruel, director of viticulture and winemaking at Trefethen Family Vineyards and president of Napa Valley Grapegrowers, which includes more than 670 growers, vineyards and associated businesses.
Grape farmers gathered here last week to discuss how to protect their fields from record-low rainfall. Options are limited in the Napa Valley, where farms get all of their water from rain that fills rivers and reservoirs, typically 30 inches per year. This year, grape growers are praying for 8 inches. They've gotten no more than 3.5 inches since the rainy season began in October.
Growers are anxious and looking for advice. Wine grape production is Napa County's economic engine, producing $657 million in gross revenue in 2012, according to state statistics. And while about 15 percent of wine sold in the United States is from Napa County, it accounts for 31 percent of total retail value, or $10.1 billion, according to a 2012 industry study.
"I have zero water," said Ashley Bennett, associate vineyard manager for Cain Vineyard and Winery in St. Helena, which specializes in cabernet. "If you had to use all your water last year, then you have no water this year." Her vines are also suffering from Pierce's disease, she said, a bacterial infection spread by insects that dries out leaves and fruit.
Most aren't as badly off as Bennett, who acknowledges that her situation is an extreme. Bennett's vineyard is on a hillside, which doesn't have groundwater wells and relies only on reservoirs that fill with rainwater. She has two ponds that hold about 32 acre-feet of water total; both are dry.
Most areas along the Napa Valley floor have relatively stable supplies of groundwater, so they're not in danger of going totally dry. And farmers in the valley are taking pains to make that point to regulators. Napa County began studying groundwater levels in 2009. The county is now preparing to build a pipeline to bring recycled water to the Coombsville area, which its survey found was in decline, in contrast to most other areas that had good data.
Peter McCrea, proprietor of Stony Hill Vineyard in St. Helena, is chairman of the county's Groundwater Resources Advisory Committee, which is readying recommendations on how to encourage voluntary groundwater monitoring and conservation. He said he expected his own output from his hillside farm to drop about 50 percent from last year's yield of 2 tons of grapes per acre.
"If I'm an optimist, I'd say it'd be about half of what last year was," he said. But he doesn't expect quality to decline. During the dry years of 2006-07, he said, quality was actually improved.
"The grapes are more intense," he said. "You don't get as many grapes, but the ones you do get tend to have more intense fruit."
Adaptation to a 'new reality'
At last week's meeting, experts cautioned against trying to grow too many grapes with not enough water.
"The most challenging thing, because of where we are in the world, is we can't get away with sacrificing quality," said Mike Wolf of Michael Wolf Vineyard Services, which helps operate dozens of farms in the valley. "We just can't go down that road."
Farmers advised their colleagues to pare back their plants according to the amount of water they have. Cutting back leaf canopies reduces the amount of energy that leaves can send to grapes, which prevents the vines from growing more shoots. And using slow-release fertilizers can prevent early growth spurts.
"Focus on a smaller vine if you can accept kind of a reduced crop," Wolf said.
Farmers can also adjust their watering practices. "If you have the choice to do drip irrigation, it'd be much more efficient than overhead," said Amy Warnock, viticulturist at Orin Swift Cellars. But drip irrigation is also flawed, as it deposits water onto only a small percentage of the soil, Garrett Buckland, a partner at Premiere Viticultural Services, pointed out.
Dry farming, which involves carefully managing rainfall, soil and crop timing, can work, but it's not suited to large, densely planted vineyards, Wolf said.
"We have to get smarter about how we water and when we water," Buckland said. Instruments like soil moisture probes; dendrometers, which measure plant growth; and porometers, which measure leaves' CO2 and water vapor conductivity, can help farmers make watering decisions, he said.
As well, Buckland said, farmers in highly visible areas should consider the optics of watering vines with overhead sprinklers during a drought, even if they have adequate supplies. During the daytime, as tourists pass by, "maybe consider turning that off," he said.
They can also take drought into their decisions when planting new vines.
"Maybe we can't grow syrah in Calistoga because it's so thirsty," Wolf said. "If this does in fact become the new reality ... you're making a nominally 25- or 30-year commitment to something that you may not be able to support."
Farmers with well water are deciding whether to start irrigating now to moisten the soil or wait until mid-March, when buds will start to blossom.
There's still hope that the winter will bring enough rain, but long-range forecasts through April are for more dry weather. The high-pressure zone over Northern California, a result of the polar jet stream, has persisted since March 2013.
"Seeing 10 months of this pattern is really unheard of," Buckland said. "We may not be able to break this pattern before winter is over."
Worst could be yet to come
Growers are also worried about next year's supplies. As a perennial plant, the grapevine takes two years to bear fruit, so buds that emerge this year won't ripen until next year. A dry year this year could hamstring bud development, said Mark Matthews, a viticulture professor at the University of California, Davis.
"What we really haven't seen that could happen is, if it's dry enough, grapevines actually become damaged and start to die, so you don't get the buds you need for the 2015 season," he said. "That potentially could become devastating, and it's not like when you're growing corn or something when you can just plant again next year. It's a 30-year commitment."
"This is becoming more frequent, whether we like it or not," said Buckland.
The grape growers' association provided farmers at the meeting with information about crop insurance. For basic catastrophic coverage, which pays out if losses exceed 50 percent of historical yield, the U.S. Department of Agriculture pays the entire premium. The payment is set at 55 percent of established market prices. For fuller coverage, growers can choose to insure themselves up to 85 percent of their historic yield.
Outside the community center, grower Mike Applegate discussed insurance with his agent. If his production is below 25 percent of normal, his insurance kicks in, he said. He said it pays out roughly every five years. Farmers have until Jan. 31 to sign up; they'll know whether it was worth it by the end of the year, when they finish harvesting their crops.
"There's an inch of rain out there," Applegate said. "Jump on it, dude."
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Every day we profile cheeses from around the world on our tasting table ~ you can taste any cheese before you buy.
We feature an inspired, eclectic selection of wines at a wide variety of prices (many under $10) from France, Italy, Portugal and more. Come try a young Vinho Verde from Portugal, one of our new favorites.
We'll help you pair wines, cheeses, condiments, and other gourmet foods. Your guests will think you've been taking classes.
We'll help you bring something special that will delight your host.
We have hundreds of authentic delicacies from around the world and around the corner, including authentic Portuguese linguica, cheeses, butter and oil imported through Fall River.
Don't worry. We encourage you only to buy what you can use quickly. We cut each piece to order and no size is too small. Be sure to check our orphan basket. Small nuggets of chesse ~ easy to grab and go. Perfect for people who love to experiment.
Our gourmet party platters have something for every taste. Choose cheeses, meats, olives, spreads, tapenades, pâté, smoked fish & seafood, sweets, crostini, crackers & bread.
Everybody loves food -- especially the hard to find specialties we carry every day. Plus we've got all sorts of accessories from fondue sets to hand-crafted cheese "Boat Boards" made by a local boatbuilder. Choose one of our ready-to-go gift baskets or let us make you something special to suit your individual tastes.
We have dozens of products and plenty of wines for under $10. And you'll find our specialty cheeses are very reasonably priced. Come in and you'll see the Cave is a good bargain.
The Cave offers over 200 locally sourced products and hard-to-find local specialties. Take a taste of Gloucester and New England with you on your journey.
Just ask. We can find anything. And we'd be happy to get it for you.
We've got specialties from local fishermen, coffee roasters, chocolatiers, bakers, butchers and more. Plus we're open year-round!


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Sony Ericsson C905a Manual / User Guide
This is the official Sony Ericsson C905a User Guide in English provided from the manufacturer. If you are looking for detailed technical specifications, please see our Specs page.
Sony Ericsson C905a is the first Cyber-shot in slider form-factor, and the first with 8-megapixel resolution. It also features GPS for Geo-tagging, WiFi and has TV-out.


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Yellow Tail with John Casella – Part 1
Managing Partner, John Casella Oversees his Production Facilities
Today we sit down with Australia's John Casella, Managing Partner of Casella Wines, better known for its popular wine brand Yellow Tail. With over 8 million cases ($350 Million US) of wine arriving in the USA this year Yellow Tail has grown to become one of the world's most popular wines. Join us for this 2 part series and discover how Yellow Tail got to where it is today.
Learn about Casella Wines and [Yellow Tail]: www.casellawines.com
Sponsor: The Center for Wine Origins: Click Here to Learn More
Click Below to Play the Show:
(23:26 min 11 MB)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download


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Sunday, September 25, 2011
Patch 4.3 - does anybody care?
Anyhoo... I'm still skimming some WoW news because I'm interested in how the game evolves. So the next big thing is patch 4.3 that will hit the live servers... I dunno, Novemberish?
What I'm wondering, and this is a honest question, no bullshit, is whether anybody still cares about this patch. Not ex-players, but actual players. If you are still playing WoW, are you excited about patch 4.3? To me it seems very lackluster. Another raid or such and transmogrification.
Seriously, transmogrification?? It's like... the barber shop or the fabled dance studio! It might bring another mini-game into the game but it sounds like a useless fluff-inducing feature. I'm not saying it shouldn't be added, it's just that it doesn't seem to do anything to advance the game world/story/mechanics/etc.
So once again, if you are still playing WoW, are you hyped about patch 4.3, or are you meh? BTW, I'm not complaining or bitching or anything because it's not my place to do so. I'm just curious.
12 comments:
- Unknown said...
Total Meh!
And Epic Gems still have a lot of unanswered question. At least the Pyrite Ore bubble has been burst.
I'm waiting to see more of what these "many new recipes for profession crafters" will be.
- September 25, 2011 at 1:39 PM
- Joar said...
I'm still playing, but there's a lot in patch 4.3 that's particularly unexciting for the casual player. First, the fact that epics gems are only going to be available as raid drops. Second, tier gear will also now only be available as raid drops - no more tier gear available for purchase for Valor Points.
The new Looking for Raid feature has the potential to be interesting, but I just have images in my head of ZA / ZG pugs, only 3 times more annoying and frustrating. An expanded Darkmoon Faire has the potential to be something interesting for the casual player, but we'll have to see how that pans out. So far, not a lot of details on that one.
I'm looking forward to the three new dungeons, but that's about it at this point.
- September 25, 2011 at 1:55 PM
- Rades said...
I'm super excited for it. Transmogrification is a cosmetic / gear collector's dream, and I've been having a great time collecting cool-looking gear and designing different gearsets.
As for "another raid or such"? Um...what would you really expect? A new raid, 3 new dungeons, that's rather significant, isn't it? And not just a new set of instances, but some very cool lore related moments when we get to go to the future and then back to the Well of Eternity. I can't WAIT to see what Blizzard designers come up with for the old Night Elf city/visuals.
If a new raid and dungeons isn't interesting, I don't know what Blizzard could possibly implement that you'd find appealing.
- September 25, 2011 at 2:43 PM
- Darth Solo said...
@Cold still playing?
@Joar I guess I've still got the casual mentality even though I was pretty hardcore. But to me, these days, casual = someone who doesn't raid.
@Rades you're right, of course. It's just that from my perspective, because I haven't raided since vanilla WoW, another raid is uber-meh. But those new 5-man dungeons should be fun.
- September 25, 2011 at 4:25 PM
- Greygamer said...
Well there are still a lot of active players, many more than it's nearest rival. So I think they are probably excited.
Just because the old guard have become jaded it does not mean the rest of us are.
Not too much there for a 'casual' (non-raider) like me I guess, but I'm still enjoying the game.
- September 25, 2011 at 10:58 PM
- jwenting said...
ah, can no longer troll on the forums so you choose other avenues?
What's up with "former" wow players that they have to constantly slag the game and company?
- September 26, 2011 at 1:08 AM
- Unknown said...
I'm not into WoW anymore but I wish I could put my hands on trasmogrify, yes. Wow -as any other MMO- is mostly a vanity game. What's better than wearing what you like, keeping the stats of the gear you do NOT like?
Anyway the WoW time is gone. Any MMO is gone, for me. Too much time to invest.
- September 26, 2011 at 2:25 AM
- MoxNix said...
Patch 4.3 is very meh... nothing special, just more of the same old formula crap and a little fluff.
I stopped raiding when Cata came out. Raiding just isn't much of a challenge anymore plus I was fed with all the politics and bullcrap that comes with raiding. Now I mostly just play the auction but even that's starting to get old.
Time to quit WoW for good soon I think.
- September 26, 2011 at 3:47 PM
I mostly pvp these days and I haven't read the patch notes but I'm looking forward to transmogrification. I hope it's as awesome as it sounds. I may even start raiding again. Who knows? A new patch is a new tier of opportunity.
TL/dr: yes.
- September 26, 2011 at 6:15 PM
- Darth Solo said...
@Zandathor no doubt WoW still has the highest number of subscribers and will continue to do so for a long time but my feeling is that it is slowly declining. Blizzard will have to come up with something really cool for the next expansion.
@jwenting what are you talking about bro? I never trolled on any forums, in fact I doubt I posted more than a couple of times on the official forums in all these years. As for other forums, I haven't used any. And I'm not "slagging" either WoW, nor Blizzard. I love Blizzard's games and I've been playing them forever, including WoW. That's why I've reached the point where I simply can't play any more WoW. I've had my fill and more of it would only make me sick.
@MoxNix playing the AH had become my last pleasurable activity in WoW but even that became boring. All that gold and nothing to spend it on. Though... I am a bit of a hoarder.
@Loque and Anon I guess transmogrification really is a cool thing for certain people. To each their own and I do realize that it's a pretty big deal to accomplish from a technical perspective, so kudos to Blizzard for adding it. Personally I was never into this cosmetic stuff. I just enjoyed the graphics for the armor I had, even if it was ugly. As for the barber shop, I must have used it once or twice.
- September 26, 2011 at 9:54 PM
- pmb said...
Transmogrification will not restore game balance, so my answer to your question is: "meh".
Only teenagers are excited, tbh.
- October 5, 2011 at 6:37 PM
@pmb I'm 51 and I am always excited by any changes.
@ Darth I have played since vanilla and I just can't see a time when I wont play WoW, it is just a part of life for me now. Some of my sons also play so it's a family thing too.
I have tried all the other mmo's but none come close to WoW but that is just my opinion. Good job we arn't all the same or there would be no choice.
I also played Diablo from the start and will definitely be sharing my online gaming time with D3 upon release.
- October 15, 2011 at 7:53 AM


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RnFR wrote:apparently the first stage has to have temperature compensation. he still won't tell me at what temperature this becomes necessary, though.
A quick test, with a 2N2222 (not a bad choice for the first transistor in a Tonebender), showed that with sensible choices for the resistors, the collector voltage started to move at about 110 C.
Unless you're gigging on Venus, or boiling your gear in salt water as you play, there's little chance of attaining this kind of temperature in normal use.
Back in the days when I used to design amplifiers for accelerometers that had to work in paper mills at well over 100 C, I used to design silicon circuits with temperature compensation. I also design temperature compensation into my RF oscillator circuits. However, for audio frequencies, and at the normal human range of temperatures, any kind of compensation in a Tonebender is just plain stupid.


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ChessCube Streaming Video
To rent any of the ChessCube streaming videos, simply open the in-application store and click on the video tab:
After confirming your order, the video will load up in the background. From there you can watch it. To jump chapters, hit the "Next" button:
If you're returning to watch a video that you've previously purchased, simply go into your inventory, hit the "Video" tab, and choose your video:
Have fun and enjoy!


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damn, i was like the only one who was rooting for greece? everyone of my friends were with portugal, and when greece scored i went nuts! what a great game, i am in a small and quiet town right here, and i was out on the streets screaming HELLAS! HELLAS!
no offense to the porugal fans, but when a team like this eliminates other teams like france, czech rep., spain and portugal, you can't say they's weak
Hooray for Greece!


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-- Text by Kitty Angell
The "right" kitten for you can be easy to find if you'll follow a few easy guidelines. The kitten you pick will be your companion for
approximately the next 18 years if it is kept indoors. Follow these easy guidelines and your search will be much easier.
Do you want a big fluffy love muffin that wants to sit in your lap and be combed? Then you should consider a Persian or possibly a
Birman. Ocicats, Bombays, Abyssinians, and Singapuras are good choices if you want an exotic, wild-look to your cat. If you like to
carry on conversations with your cat, a Siamese is a sure bet. Cornish Rex and Turkish Angoras are extremely active and there is never a
dull moment with them! Before you start shopping, decide what kind of personality suits you the best. Some cats are easy-going and
laid-back, while others are active and playful. Will you be introducing your new kitten to a household that already has a dog, a child,
or another cat? You might want to read some behavioral books on how to introduce a new kitten to the family. An excellent book that
addresses integrating a new kitten into the household is The Cat Fanciers' Association Complete Cat Book, edited by Mordecai Siegal.
This Cat Fanciers Association web site gives a complete description and temperament sketch on each of the various breeds of cat, or you
can requst a printed brochure via email (please specify a breed and include your mailing address.)
Try to find out as much about the kitten's history as possible. If you are buying from a breeder, make sure he or she has a good
reputation. Ask for the names of several people who own cats from the breeder that can be used as references. Ask if you can speak with
the breeder's veterinarian. If possible, visit the breeder's home. It is most important that kittens are raised in a clean, healthy
environment with plenty of space to play. Remember that whole Tom cats in a cattery will tend to spray, which may result in a slight
odor in the home that is not out of the ordinary. If, however, you find the home or cattery has an overwhelming foul smelling odor, just
politely end your conversation and leave. Ask if there are any illnesses or inherited disorders that are common to the breed of cat you
are contemplating. Ask about the longevity of the kitten's ancestors. Make sure the breeder provides you with a health record listing
the vaccinations that have already been given. Most breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve
weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and have also developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment.
Many breeders will have already altered (neutered or spayed) the kitten to save you the cost and anxiety of doing so later.
Check the kitten for clean eyes, clean ears, and push the coat back to look for evidence of fleas (small black specks in the coat, most
notably on the back near the base of the tail). Never leave with a kitten that is sickly. If the kitten has a runny nose or eyes, sores
on the skin, or is coughing and sneezing you are in for problems and costly vet bills. Always take your new kitten immediately to your
veterinarian to have a thorough examination. Your kitten should already have been given preliminary vaccinations but it will be up to
your vet to decide if more are needed. The vet will also want to check for external and internal parasites. If the kitten is unaltered
you will need to schedule the procedure with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
A pedigree, or family history, and CFA registration papers will most likely be available when you pick up your kitten. An application
for CFA registration, commonly called a "blue slip," will allow you to register the kitten with your chosen name and yourself as the
new owner. You should receive this paperwork, especially if your new kitten is already altered. In some instances, if your kitten is not
altered, a breeder will have a clause in their sales contract noting that registration paperwork will be given upon receipt of written
notification of neuter or spay. It is not uncommon for a breeder to place a "not for breeding" restriction on an unaltered kitten that
is being sold as a pet. If you are interested in breeding the kitten when it is grown, state this desire up-front. You will need the
registration paperwork, plus the litter PIN number from the breeder in order to register the kitten with breeding rights. Be sure to
keep any and all paperwork connected with the purchase in a safe place -- correspondence, business card, receipt, cancelled cheque,
contract, pedigree, health records, etc.
Once you are home with your new kitten, all you need to do is provide proper nutrition, grooming, and lots of love. Remember that cats
are individuals just like people. Every breed displays certain attributes as a whole, but not every kitten produced in that breed will
have exactly the same temperament. Even a shrinking violet can turn into a tiny tiger in new surroundings!
Get Meow Power and Subscribe to Cat Talk, the CFA's bi-monthly, print magazine that captures the many voices of the Cat Fanciers' Association.
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| June 20, 2014, 6:25 pm
Quarterback Steven Montez has verbally committed to play football at the University of Colorado, according to the El Paso Times.
The 6-foot-5, 190-pound senior-to-be threw for 1,776 yards with 27 touchdowns and three interceptions last season for Del Valle High School in El Paso, Texas. He also rushed for 343 yards with seven more scores, leading the Conquistadores to an 8-4 record.


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You probably should be reading the Pacemaker site clusterlabs.org
This site conserves Heartbeat specific stuff. See Site news for details.
Split Brain
From Linux-HA
A split-brain condition is the result of a Cluster Partition, where each side believes the other is dead, and then proceeds to take over resources as though the other side no longer owned any resources.
After this, a variety of Bad Things Will Happen - including destroying shared disk data.
This is the result of acting on incomplete information - neglecting Dunns Law. That is, when a node is declared "dead", its status is, by definition, not known. Perhaps it is dead, perhaps it is merely incommunicado. The only thing that is known is that its status is not known.
The ultimate cure to this is to use Fencing and lock the other side out.
The problem with merely using quorum without fencing, is that the loss of quorum can take an unbounded amount time to detect and react to in the worst case.
Fencing does not require knowledge of the timing or behavior of the "errant" nodes, nor does it require the cooperation or sanity of errant nodes. In addition, fencing operations receive positive confirmation. Hence, fencing has a high degree of certainty.
A good way of avoiding split brain conditions in most cases without having to resort to fencing is to configure redundant and independent cluster communications paths - so that loss of a single interface or path does not break communication between the nodes - that is the communications should not have a single point of failure (SPOF).
Using both redundant communications and fencing is a good way to go. We highly recommend both.
See Also
Split-brain, quorum, fencing overview, Cluster Concepts, Fencing, quorum, STONITH, FAQ on tuning deadtime, deadtime directive, warntime directive


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MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – In front of the largest crowd of the 2011-12 season, the Georgia College men's basketball team (8-7, 1-5 PBC) dropped the "Battle of the Cats II", a close 59-56 contest to Augusta State University (9-7, 5-3 PBC) Wednesday in the Centennial Center.
A Travis Keels turnaround jumper gave ASU it's final lead with 27 seconds remaining.
Senior forward Ryan Aquino (Roswell, Ga.) had a game-high 18 points, including a pair of threes, adding 11 rebounds for his 11th double-double of the season. Junior guard Ryan Lively (Cumming, Ga.) knocked down five from long range for a career-high 15 points.
The Bobcats led at halftime 32-27, thanks in large part to Lively's marksmanship in hitting all four of his first-half three-point attempts. The game never reached larger than a seven-point difference in the second half.
Down 55-48 with 5:55 remaining, GC powered back with an 8-0 run taking a 56-55 lead on a Mike Augustine (Waterloo, Ill.) tip-in. Augustine finished with seven points. On their next possession, the Jaguars missed a jumper, but got an offensive rebound on a tie-up, setting up Keels' turnaround jumper for the lead.
A GC turnover then set up two free-throws, pushing the ASU lead to three points with six seconds left. On the ensuing Bobcat possession, a last-ditch, game-tying, three-pointer rimmed out as time expired.
The Bobcats were out-shot by ASU 45 percent (21-47) to 35 percent (17-49) but balanced that out with a 36-27 lead in rebounds. The Jaguars were hot from long range, going 10-20 (.500) from behind the arc.
Devonte Thomas led ASU with 18 points, aided by 14 points and seven boards from Devon Wright-Nelson.
With his 11 rebounds tonight, Aquino moves past Tony Edmonson (1993-97) for fifth place in the Georgia College career rebounding list with 630. Stan Lynn (1988-90) stands next at 654.
The Bobcats are back in action Friday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. traveling to Francis Marion University (9-6, 5-3 PBC). The Patriots most recently beat North Georgia 98-94 Jan. 16.
The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at www.twitter.com/BobcatSports and www.facebook.com/gcbobcats for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit www.GCBobcats.com for more information, and to nominate your favorite former Bobcats and Colonials to the GC Athletics Hall of Fame.


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Medix Staffing Solutions, Recruiting Resource Coordinator – Dallas, TX, Application Deadline, BTT Gateway Job ID 7687
Fri, December 13, 2013
As a leader in the healthcare staffing industry, clients turn to Medix for our expertise in sourcing qualified people to fill a variety of contract, contract-to-hire and direct hire opportunities. Due to recent growth our National Delivery Team is seeking to hire Resource Coordinators in our Scottsdale, AZ location.
Our company is defined by our core values of Customer Focus, Team Work, Accountability, Passion, Commitment and Professionalism. We are currently seeking Resource Coordinator candidates that possess these values and will thrive in a fast-paced, delivery-oriented competitive environment. At Medix we believe in offering a great environment that allows individual growth, mentoring and career advancement. Having been ranked the 20th fastest growing company by Crain's Chicago Business, Medix offers exciting challenges and proven professional opportunity.
As a Resource Coordinator for Medix, you will be responsible for the following duties:
• Perform sourcing, screening, and phone interviewing, of available candidates across the United States
• Create pipelines of potential candidates for future placement
• Build relationships with passive candidates by using creative forms of online resoucing (Boolean, social networking, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Maintain communication with prospective candidates to build and strengthen relationships
• Maintain accurate candidate tracking within the Medix ATS system
• Work well in a team oriented and performance based setting with Recruiters, Delivery Managers and other leadership.
• Continuously gain knowledge of industries and specific recruitment techniques
• Generate leads for account and industry development
• Service oriented or previous call center experience is a plus
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Driven and dedicated to hitting individual and team goals
• Strong work ethic
• Must be able to utilize many different online avenues to source candidates
• Professional and goal oriented demeanor
• Competitive salary
• 401(k)
• Comprehensive medical insurance (PPO, HSA, HMO – in IL only)
• Dental insurance
• Vision assistance
• Vacation/Personal Days
• Paid Holidays Off
• Employer financed Life, Long Term and Short Term Disability Insurance
• Weekly pay
• Comprehensive training program
• Opportunity to participate in community and philanthropic events
Visit us on Facebook to learn more about us; https://www.facebook.com/medixteam
See BTT Gateway Job ID 7687. Application Deadline 12/13.


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The following policy was recommended by the Academic Senate in its meeting of May 9, 1985 and received the concurrance of the President on May 31, 1985.
The purpose of the Military Science Program is to provide baccalaureate-level instruction appropriate to the academic preparation of commissioned officers in the armed forces of the United States.
The Military Science Program is assigned to the School of Applied Arts and Sciences. The Program is conducted by the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment assigned to the University pursuant to an Agreement, authorized by this policy statement, between the University and the Department of the Army. The officer in charge of the AROTC unit shall be called the Professor of Military Science and, together with the other commissioned officers assigned to provide instruction by the Department of the Army, shall be subject to review procedures consistent with the procedures and standards of the School of Applied Arts and Sciences.
The Military Science Program consists of a defined aggregate of baccalaureate-level courses. Courses offered in the Military Science Program on campus are open to all students of the University within assigned facilities limits and providing that enrollment is reserved for students participating in the AROTC, who intend to apply for a commission in the armed forces of the United States upon completion of the baccalaureate degree.
The terms and conditions of acceptance into the AROTC and of subsequent award of a commission in the armed forces are contractual matters between the student and the Department of the Army. The University makes no representations and assumes no responsibilities with respect thereto.
The program of courses offered in the Military Science Program shall not exceed nineteen (19) semester units. These units may be counted toward, and if necessary will be counted beyond, the unit requirements for the degree. The program of courses shall be in addition to all other specified unit requirements for the degree, including the major or major option, a minor, General Education course requirements, special University course requirements, and courses specifically required of individual students as the result of language or mathematics examination score deficiencies.
The courses of the Military Science Program are subject to the review procedures governing all undergraduate courses. The courses constituting the Program shall be subject to the following special review: each course shall be reviewed for evidence of duplication of content with the analogous course in the Aerospace Studies Program (AFROTC) and for the possibility of combining courses to avoid unnecessary course duplication. The Military Science Program shall be subject to the standard Program Review on a five year cycle.
Course requirements: (Four-year program of study)
MS 101 United States Defense Establishment I (1)
MS 102 United States Defense Establishment II (1)
MS 201 United States Military History I (1)
MS 202 United States Military History II (1)
MS 301 Military Leadership and Management I (3)
MS 302 Military Leadership and Management II (3)
MS 400 Practicum in Leadership and Management (off-campus) (3)
MS 401 Functions and Responsibilities of Army Command I (3)
MS 402 Functions and Responsibilities of Army Command II (3)
(Two-year program of study)
MS 301, 302, 400, 401, and 402.
EFFECTIVE: Spring 1986


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ETL Listed Mark
Intertek's ETL Certification program is designed to help you get products tested, certified, and on to market faster than ever before.
ETL was born into a culture of innovation. It was in Thomas Edison's lighting laboratories where it all began, and to this day we still breathe the same air of innovation, safety and quality. We understand a manufacturer's need to get new products to market quickly to achieve the greatest success, therefore we have built speed, responsiveness and urgency into our processes. Our commitment to helping customers gain the certifications they need quickly and efficiently has never been greater.
The ETL Mark is proof of product compliance to North American safety standards. Authorities Having Jurisdiction(AHJs) and code officials across the US and Canada accept the ETL Listed Mark as proof of product compliance to published industry standards. Retail buyers accept it on products they're sourcing. And every day, more and more consumers recognize it on products they purchase as a symbol of safety.
Today, the ETL Mark is the fastest growing safety certification in North America and is featured on millions of products sold by major retailers and distributors every day. Browse through our most Frequently Asked Questions about the ETL Listed Mark.
Check out our white paper 2019 Guide To North American Product Testing & Certification for more information on the standards we test to for the North American market.
Global Network of Laboratories
Intertek is one of the world's largest Testing, Inspection and Certification companies. We have a network of laboratories across North and South America, Europe and Asia to deliver safety testing and certification for your products. Our teams around the world provide Global Expertise with Local Service. No one partners with manufacturers better than Intertek to deliver the services you need, when you need them, and where you need them.
Below is a List of Standards we test to for the North American Market
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory:
As an OSHA Recognized NRTL in the U.S., Intertek is able to test and certify products for its customers across its global network of laboratories. Read more...
Intertek's ETL Certification Now Accepted on Products Imported Into Mexico
Resolution from Mexican Government recognizes ETL as Equivalent to NOM Certification for three NOM Standards.
Our Accreditations
Intertek is an OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) recognized NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) and is accredited as a Testing Organization and Certification Body by the Standards Council of Canada.
Inspector Center
AHJs can learn more about our accreditations, certification marks, and public safety notices by visiting our dedicated Inspector Information Center. Or check out our "Partnership in Safety" website to learn more about how we work with inspectors and code officials to help keep people safe where they live, work and play.
Need help or have a question?


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It warms my heart to hear the news that tourism to Thailand is making a strong rebound from the political protests that disrupted this normally peaceful country from March to June. eTurboNews reported that tourism is up by almost 14 percent and Thailand hopes to reach the 14 million visitors goal it set for 2010.
We followed the unfolding situation in Bangkok from day one to give you the most up-to-date information about what was happening on the ground. And as soon as the U.S. Department of State lifted its travel warning to the country we resumed our tours to Thailand to help the country rebuild the tourism infrastructure that it relies so dearly upon.
The country is also a top tourism destination. Travel and Leisure recently gave Bangkok its Top City award in its August issue. And Friendly Planet Travel loves it for its beauty, spirituality, and fascinating sights and sounds. Most of all, its welcoming, warm people make every visitor feel at home.
So that's why I'm excited to give travelers more chances to experience the islands, cities, ancient ruins, and exotic architecture that make Thailand one of the best places on the planet to visit at an unbelievable price. Friendly Planet Travel's nine-day Taste of Thailand tour is now just $999 (which is less than a weekend in Las Vegas when you think about it!).
Not a single corner is cut in the price tag. Included is round-trip airfare from Los Angeles via China Airlines, including fuel surcharges; intra-Thailand transportation; accommodations at first-class hotels; full American buffet breakfast daily and one dinner; sightseeing tours as per itinerary and all transfers; professional, English-speaking tour guides; optional extensions to Angkor Wat and Phuket Island; and more.
The Taste of Thailand tour takes travelers to three of Thailand's most dynamic and awe-inspiring cities: Bangkok, Ayutthaya, and Kanchanaburi. I've told you all about these locations before, so flip back to my previous post on Thailand to read all about them, or visit our website for the full tour itinerary.
I expect this tour to be one of our most popular, so don't wait an extra second to book the nine-day Taste of Thailand tour for $999 price. If you have questions, visit our website for the full tour itinerary, write to me, or call 1-800-555-5765 and speak to our reservations team.


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Gbodner needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 100 designs submitted by 17 freelance designers.
The Way Title
The Way Title uses technology to create a faster and better customer experience for the home Buyer and for realtors. Orders are done electronically and by simply submitting your title order the search process to determine clean title has begun. This is a spinoff company from Avanti Way (avantiway.com), but we are looking for an edgy logo that depicts how real estate, the law and technology intertwine.
Our target audience are Realtors and home buyers looking for a title company to assist them with a home closing. Our target market are people looking to order title online as opposed to the standard method of using the phone or faxing an order in. We are trying to capture people who use the web to look for services that used to only be found offline.
We want a logo that depicts the intersection of Real Estate and technology primarilly. If there is something cool that you can do to incorporate the law or speed then lets see it.
We are trying to show that we are faster then the competition so incorporating that is definetely a plus. We are open to colors but Avanti Way uses tones of blue so we may be biased toward those colors.
We want to portray that we are cutting edge in a boring field. Superior technology is one of the best ways we differentiate ourselves.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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• The entire UI has been updated to a more modern look and feel
• mSecure should still feel familiar to existing users, but the graphics are new, and many enhancements have been added to the functionality of the UI
• Animated action panels have been added throughout the app to help keep each screen as free of clutter as possible
• You can easily filter your records by Group, Type or Favorites using the new filter bar just above your records in the main view
• In addition to sorting by Name, Type and the Modified Date for your records, you can now sort by your Groups as well
• mSecure now has an alpha-scroller, so you can quickly jump to different sections of your records by tapping on a letter in the alpha-scroller to the right of your records
• Add custom icons to your types and records
• Save photo attachments to your records
• Deleted record recovery
Don't take any chances with your passwords and private information; keep your data safe and secure with mSecure Password manager!
Imagine your phone is lost or stolen. You can have peace of mind knowing that mSecure has safeguarded your website logins, bank account and credit card information. Your finances, identity and reputation would be protected, safe and secure.
mSecure is used by nearly a million users worldwide, providing the best time-tested, trusted, convenient and secure solution for storing and syncing your information.
"...it's everything almost anyone would ever need in a password manager." - Gigaom
mSecure Password Manager - Security Everywhere, Made Simple
mSecure uses ultra-secure 256-bit encryption to protect personal information such as account numbers, usernames, and passwords. Security features include:
• Auto-lock to protect the app from prying eyes
• Password Generator to create un-guessable passwords
• Sync Everywhere cloud security architecture, independent of the security provided by the cloud service
• Auto-backup to SD Card and Email Backup to keep your information safe
• Optional self-destruct feature in the event that an unauthorized person tries to guess your password
• Sensitive fields can be masked to protect your sensitive information from prying eyes
mSecure is made simple for everyday users, providing a native Android look and feel with features like:
• Nineteen standard templates for fast data entry and the ability to create custom templates with UNLIMITED fields
• Over 270 icons to personalize your records
• Integrated search for quick access to any piece of information
• Groups to categorize your records
• Mark any record as a favorite for fast access
• Sort by Name, Group, Type and Modified Date
• Two panel landscape support for devices with screens larger than 6 inches
Keep your information in sync on all your devices using Dropbox or Wi-Fi syncing:
• Dropbox sync for syncing with all platforms over Internet connections
• Auto-sync for Dropbox keeps your records in sync automatically
• mSecure browser provides auto-login functionality to your online accounts quickly and securely
• Auto-capture web logins and fill web form fields with your mSecure data
• Sync multiple devices with multiple desktops via private Wi-Fi
• Import data from competitor products directly or via spreadsheet
If you have any questions or comments, please share them on our support forum: http://forum.msecure.com. You can also email us directly at [email protected]
❖ mSecure for Windows and mSecure for Mac are available on our website. Download a 30-day trial of either desktop version at https://msecure.com.
Download cracked APK of mSecure Password Manager ( com.mseven.msecure )


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Expert Reviews
2012 Honda CR-V
The all-new 2012 Honda CR-V is the fourth generation of Honda's popular and widely acclaimed first venture into the SUV market. The original, according to Honda lore, was conceived to fulfill a need the company perceived for a Comfortable Runabout Vehicle. A four-door, five-passenger, entry-level sport utility vehicle, the CR-V is comfortable and is quite useful for running about. The new version is improves on the previous generation though only slightly.
The Honda CR-V comes packed with features such as Bluetooth-enabled hands-free capability and streaming audio. The audio system comes with the ability to function as a control head for the internet radio site Pandora. Not only is there a rearview camera, but it's a multi-angle unit that lets the driver choose between a top view and either a 130-degree or a 180-degree view. Automatic climate control, leather, heated front seats and a premium, 328-watt audio system with a subwoofer and XM satellite radio are available. Optional on the top model is a GPS-based navigation system with turn-by-turn directions.
There is only one engine offered, an upgrade of the previous CR-V's 2.4-liter four-cylinder, and one transmission, an upgraded version of the 2011 model's gearbox. Those upgrades, though, eke out four more horsepower and two more pound-feet of torque and with better fuel economy, a 10-percent improvement.
Fuel economy is an EPA-estimate 23/31 City/Highway mpg on the front-wheel drive CR-V, 22/30 mpg with all-wheel drive. Those figures split the difference between the segment's major players.
New on the 2012 CR-V is the Eco-Assist system, which will adjust transmissions shift points and gently retard acceleration to improve fuel economy. Eco-Assist can be switched on and off by the driver. Honda has given the new CR-V some equally new drivetrain technology.
The 2012 CR-V gets hill-start assist, which applies the brakes when the car is stopped on an incline and releases them when the driver touches the accelerator. The clutch that sends power to the rear wheels on the AWD models has a pre-load function that prevents any initial slippage when moving off from a stop. On freeways and surface streets, the ride and handling is solid without being overly firm and stable with little body lean in corners even at elevated speeds.
The 2012 CR-V's styling definitely falls more toward evolutionary than revolutionary. Most of the changes are minor, leaving the visuals in familiar territory. Headlight housings are sleeker. The roofline is an inch lower, and the side sculpting is more pronounced. The most remarkable difference is something only following drivers get to enjoy, as the liftgate and taillight assemblies have received a complete re-do and look remarkably more contemporary than those on the 2011 CR-V.
Interior finish is Honda-spec, with everything fitting snugly and pleasantly styled panels and trim pieces complimenting each other and showing a consistent theme. Controls are functional and for the most part intuitive. The screen on the optional navigation system is large and easy to read, though the system takes a long time to start up. Honda's decision to go with hard plastic surfaces everywhere but the door armrests is disappointing. The lower roofline means occupants lose an inch of headroom. The rear cargo compartment is slightly larger when the rear seats are folded, but the cargo compartment is no longer perfectly flat.
Model LineupHonda CR-V LX ($22,295), LX AWD ($23,245); EX ($24,395), EX AWD ($25,645); EX-L ($27,045), EX-L AWD ($28,295)
Walk Around
Changes to the 2012 CR-V from the 2011 are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. All essential styling cues remain the same, with marginal adjustments to dimensions more than anything else.
Front view is a little sleeker, rounder, with a more rakish shape to the headlights. The grille still sports three horizontal bars but wider spaced. The lower valance follows the same general outline, but it's more pronounced. Fog lights are pretty much the same place as on the 2011. The hood sculpting reverses from convex to concave. Fender blisters are bolder, giving the new CR-V a stronger stance.
Side silhouette is almost identical, for the most part, save for a one inch lower roofline and a one inch shorter overall length. Sculpting across door lowers is less linear, more recessed with a slight coke bottle-ness. Wheel arches are fuller and more sharply defined. The rearmost side window pinches down to a tapered trailing edge, accenting the rear taillight and backup cluster that now wraps around into the rear quarter, breaking up somewhat the added sheetmetal in the C-pillar (the vertical body panel between the roof and lower body behind the rearmost side window). Full round door handles over oval recesses easily accommodate gloved hands.
The rearview of the 2012 CR-V looks complete, like the stylists knew where they wanted to go when they started and finished the job. The 2011, in contrast, showed a generic backend for smaller SUVs, with a piece of glass sandwiched between the trademark CR-V vertical taillights and perched on top of an uninspired, conventionally stamped sheet of metal bracketed by basic backup lights and reflector elements. Drooping suspension and spindly drive mechanicals visible to following drivers may well have been sufficiently robust, but were somewhat short of reassuring visually. The 2012 CR-V leaves all that behind, if you will. Proportions are right, with the backlight (rear window) fully integrated into the liftgate's lower half. A thin strip of brightwork tops the license plate recess that itself snugs into the upper half of a scalloped recess spanning the liftgate from one fender to the other. The vertical taillights each look to be a single piece and are inclusive of the backup and running lights. Tires properly positioned relative to the rear fenders match the front end's solid stance. The matte-finished lower valance masks all but the beefiest of the rear suspension underpinnings.
At first blush, the 2012 CR-V interior comes across as an elegant upgrade from the 2011's. Some buyers might be disappointed, however, when they get in touch with some of the materials Honda has used in apparent cost-cutting efforts.
Seats are comfortable, with adequate if not remarkable thigh support. The leather is a little short of luxurious but no less so than what trims seats in competitively priced comparatives SUVs. Door armrests are padded. Door-mounted map pockets are molded to hold a beverage can or water bottle, but aren't especially deep, so no cups, please, unless topped with sipper caps.
That one inch lower roofline, though, as helpful as it might be for slipping through the air, also means occupants lose an inch of headroom from the 2011 model and fall behind the primary competitors, the Toyota RAV4, the Hyundai Tucson, the Ford Escape and the Chevrolet Equinox, by at least that much. Occupants hold their own in legroom, however, except for the Equinox, which gives occupants around an inch more than the new CR-V.
The center console now extends forward all the way under the pod holding the shift lever, adding usable storage space in the form of a longer and deeper, covered storage bin, one large enough, the Honda folk promise, to conceal a good sized handbag. Small trays are tucked into each side of the lower part of that extended console. The lower portion of the dash curves outward from the more subdued shift lever pod in graceful arcs toward the doors, which themselves repeat the arc cues.
The screen that serves either as the control panel for the audio or the nav system display parks front and center in the upper dash directly below a deeply recessed, smaller screen that handles the duties of the onboard computer and the rearview camera on the EX-L with the nav system. Not only is there a rearview camera, but it's a multi-angle unit that lets the driver choose between a top view and either a 130-degree or a 180-degree view. All views have superimposed guidelines to aid the driver when backing up, although they are fixed and don't bend to indicate track at the current steering wheel angle as they do on some systems.
On each side of the large circular speedometer that dominates the instrument cluster is a thin light strip that glows green to signal when the engine is optimizing fuel economy. It's attractive, looking like a giant parentheses around the speedometer. Mostly intuitive knobs, buttons and rocker switches on the dash and steering wheel manage audio and climate control functions. The automatic climate control system on the EX-L works well. Pressing a Sync button resets the two-zone system to one temperature, which is useful, but the indicator light showing this minor issue has been fixed is so bright as to be distracting, the sort of thing we'd expect to see in a cheap compact car.
As new and fresh as the dash looks, it also hints at Honda's efforts to shave costs on the 2012 CR-V. Nearly all surfaces are hard plastic. The surfaces are visually pleasing, with upscale-looking graining and metallic-like finishes, but the feel is, shall we say, maybe not cheap but clearly low cost.
On the other hand, Honda spared little when it came to engineering the rear spaces. The cargo area, which by the way holds more foot-square boxes than all the competitors but the RAV4, sports four tie-downs and a very thoughtful, molded-in bracket down near the floor at the rear for storing the EX's and EX-L's retractable cargo cover when it's not in use. Honda also managed to give the rear seats true, one-step fold-down systems, activated by pulling either a lever on the sides of the cargo area or a strap on the outboard side of the rear seat bottoms. However, the bad news is that when the rear seats are folded the cargo area is no longer perfectly flat as it was on the previous-generation model. This may make the CR-V less attractive to dog owners. The previous-generation CR-V led the class on this feature, but the new-generation model does not appear to do so. Last but far from least, the backs of the rear seats are beveled on the outboard edges so the shoulder straps on the seatbelts naturally slip around the seatbacks when they're raised from their folded positions. This is such a simple yet elegant solution to this perennial gripe about folding rear seats that it's amazing it hasn't been thought of before now. Kudos to Honda's engineers for making life just a little easier.
Driving Impressions
Honda hasn't pushed the performance envelope with the 2012 CR-V, but it has polished and refined the central ingredients of a very competent powertrain and peripherals, again apparently with some concern about development costs, most notably as regards the transmission.
The engine's mechanicals in large part are unchanged from 2011. The displacement is the same, at 2.4 liters. So is number of camshafts, at two, and valves per cylinder, at four. Through modifications to some internals to reduce friction and re-coding the engine management computer, Honda has found an additional five horsepower and two pound-feet of torque.
The transmission remains a 5-speed but with upgraded mechanicals and in the front-wheel-drive models slight changes to gear ratios, the new CR-V betters its predecessor's highway fuel economy estimates by 10 percent, where it also strikes a middle ground with its primary competition. All of this combines to deliver an impressively linear rate of acceleration, although not on a scale to compete with its competitors' V6 models. Gear changes are so smooth they sometimes register only in the tachometer's indications of changes in engine speed. One barely notices that there are only five gears, while most of the competition has moved up to 6-speed tranmissions.
The new CR-V gets an Econ mode, which driver's can select by pressing a green button emblazoned with a leaf. This system imposes a more restrained shift pattern on the transmission and a less aggressive acceleration mode. We felt the difference on the test drive at the launch. Honda won't say how much of an improvement driver's can expect in fuel economy with the system activated, only that it's noticeable. In other words, your mileage may vary.
Ride quality is well controlled, with pavement irregularities mostly masked and minimal body lean in corners, even at speeds that activate the stability control system. This is clearly a marked improvement over the 2011, which Honda credits in part to its Motion-Adaptive Electric Power Steering, a system shared with the 2012 Civic. This system complements the electronic stability control system by helping stabilize the CR-V during heavy braking and introducing a degree of corrective steering input to mitigate understeer (when the vehicle wants to go straight instead of turn) and oversteer (when the vehicle wants to turn more than the driver intends).
Road and tire noise are decently muted, although pavement type plays a huge role in this gauge. Some credit for the relative quiet goes to the CR-V's body rigidity, although Honda also notes the 2012 gets more sound deadening material than the 2011.
Honda has added hill-start assist to the new CR-V. This engages the brakes when it senses the CR-V is stopped on an incline, then releases them as the driver presses the gas pedal. The AWD system also knows when the vehicle is stopped and primes the hydraulics that send power to the rear wheels to quicken response by lessening slippage during engagement when the driver accelerates.
The 2012 Honda CR-V remains a solid and competent player in its niche while avoiding the teething that often accompanies major changes. Honda has metered its response to market pressures by improving instead of radically overhauling or replacing an already stand-out entry-level SUV. Although some might question whether such conservatism is wise given today's hyper competitiveness.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Tom Lankard filed this report from Carlsbad, California.


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Check out the Pink Pony, located in the Chippewa Hotel! Best known for their Whitefish Dip and Rum Runners. Now featuring a new retail shop.
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The Lilac Tree hotel is located in downtown Mackinac. They feature two room suites with balconies, economical main street rooms, Jacuzzi suites, and spa amenities.
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Lilac Tree Hotel is the only all-suite hotel located in the heart of downtown Mackinac Island. We offer a large variety of suites overlooking Main Street and Market Street. We are home to the Lilac Tree Spa, which offers a wide variety of Spa Treatments. Available suites include master suites with large balconies, two bedroom suites with three queen beds, and Jacuzzi suites with a spa tub.
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