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2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK
The Mercedes-Benz CLK feels right in just about any role. It's good looking, stylish, sporty to drive and personal, yet roomy and comfortable for four adults.
The CLK comes in coupe and convertible versions, with a V6 or V8 engine. Those who prefer understated, buttoned-down elegance will like the CLK Coupe. Extroverts and sun worshippers can choose the one-button convertible top on the CLK Cabriolet.
New for 2008 is the limited–edition CLK Black Series with a 500-horsepower engine. The V8 engines are still new yet now tested, having been introduced for the 2007 model year.
The CLK is one of the sportiest cars in the Mercedes lineup. The CLK has rear-wheel drive in a class increasingly populated by front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive cars, and it has a sporting flair many mid-size luxury cars lack.
We think most drivers will be quite happy with the CLK350 and its 268-horsepower V6. With its seven-speed automatic, the CLK350 delivers a fine balance of spirited acceleration, quiet cruising and decent fuel mileage. The CLK350 gets an EPA-rated 17/25 mpg City/Highway.
Drivers who demand more performance can choose the CLK550. Its V8 generates 382 hp and an even more impressive 391 pound-feet of torque. (Torque is that force that launches the car from intersections and propels it up hills.) Measured by acceleration and engine response, the CLK550 meets just about any standard of high performance. The CLK550 transmits a feeling of being more stuck to the road than the CLK350 does, with sharper handling and better high-speed stability.
Meanwhile, the limited-production CLK63 AMG performs magnitudes better, delivering racecar levels of performance. It will out-accelerate, out-brake and out-corner all but a handful of four-seat cars anywhere. Yet around town it's incredibly docile and belies its 475-hp AMG engine. The CLK63 AMG Black Series kicks it up just a notch, boasting 500 hp.
On the open road, the CLK, no matter the model, is satisfying, responsive and exceptionally stable at high speeds. It inspires confidence on twisty roads and bears up well in a spirited drive. It's also easy to live with. Its ride is firm, but not intrusive. Its relatively small size makes it easy to park and maneuver in crowded city centers, but its back seat is roomy enough for two adults.
In a word, the CLK is balanced. Its stylish design and elegant interior make it a pleasant place to spend time, and it delivers Mercedes cachet that works in almost any circumstance.
Model Lineup
The 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK comes in coupe and convertible body styles. Three models are available, distinguished by engine size: CLK350, CLK550, CLK63AMG. All come with a seven-speed automatic transmission that can be shifted manually with buttons on the steering wheel.
The CLK350 Coupe ($46,450) and Cabriolet ($54,500) are powered by a 3.5-liter V6, which develops 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
Standard features include leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control with pollen and dust filter, 10-way adjustable power seats with three memory settings and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Black-stained ash wood trim is standard, and more traditional burl walnut is available as a no-charge option. The Cabriolet features a fully automatic, heavily insulated convertible top.
The CLK550 Coupe ($55,150) and Cabriolet ($63,200) get the 5.5-liter engine that generates 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque.
The CLK63 AMG ($89,500) is available as a cabriolet and as the Black Series ($135,000). Both are built by a single technician at Mercedes racing subsidiary AMG.
Options are grouped in three packages: Premium I, II, and III. Exact content and price vary with the model. On the CLK350 Coupe, Premium I ($2,530) includes auto-dimming mirrors, a programmable built-in garage door opener, a premium harman/kardon stereo with six-CD changer and a glass sunroof. Premium II ($3,630) adds turning bi-xenon headlights with washers and a heated windshield washer system. Premium III ($4630) includes everything in PI and PII, plus ventilated seats.
Stand-alone options include a navigation system combined with on-screen control for the stereo and air conditioning ($2,270); Sirius satellite radio ($510); hands-free telephone communication ($925); wood and leather steering wheel ($540); heated front seats ($700); electronic trunk closer ($520); and Keyless Go push-button starting ($1,100). For that extra special touch, designo Silver Edition and Graphite Edition trim packages are available ($7,050).
Safety features that come on all CLKs include multi-stage front-impact airbags. Coupes get front passenger side-impact airbags that protect the torso, and curtain-style head protection airbags for both front and rear passengers. The convertibles combine both torso and head protection in the same side-impact airbags. The also feature pop-up rollbars that automatically deploy if the electronics sense a pending rollover. TeleAid accident notification is standard. Side-impact airbags for the rear passengers are optional ($390). Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with emergency Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Control are standard. The Extended Mobility package ($200) includes run-flat tires and a tire pressure warning system. 4Matic all-wheel drive adds a measure of safety in slippery conditions.
The Mercedes-Benz CLK is beautiful, and its beauty lies in its symmetry and balance. The CLK looks forceful, but also elegant and sophisticated, and it blends form and function nicely. Under the rear half of its sweeping roofline is a back seat with room for two adults, not the parcel shelf that passes for a seat in some high-end coupes.
The CLK is a fairly compact car, based on a lengthened version of the same chassis used for the small Mercedes C-Class sedans. Yet the designers have successfully infused it with the presence and bearing of a much larger coupe like the big Mercedes CL.
The coupe aesthetic starts with the profile. The CLK dispenses with a center roof pillar, so the roof sweeps uninterrupted from the base of the windshield to the trunk lid. The rear windows lower completely below the sill, emphasizing the smooth, open flow, and the effect is enhanced by the absence of any visible antenna for the radio, telephone or navigation system. The CLK replaces a conventional steel trunk lid with a composite panel that allows the antennas to be imbedded the lid's structure.
The second, unmistakable coupe element is the CLK's front end. This Mercedes forgoes the traditional hood ornament in favor of a lower, much larger three-pointed star embedded in the wide, three-slat grille, which greets the world with just a hint of a sneer. On first impression, it seems the CLK has four headlights, but a closer look confirms a single ellipse-shaped cluster on each side. And there's more to the headlights than slick design. The optional bi-xenon lights swivel to point into curves and are equipped with high-pressure washing jets; they also change beam angle as the CLK moves up and down with road imperfections, keeping the high-intensity light below the sight line of the drivers in oncoming cars.
When its fabric top is closed, the CLK Cabriolet is nearly identical in silhouette to the coupe, with only a hint of a break in the roofline where it meets the trunk lid. The fabric top is fully lined and insulated, and opening or closing it is a one-button operation. Roughly 30 seconds after the driver hits the button, the top tucks neatly under a hard cover behind the rear seats. Rollover protection hoops are integrated in the rear-seat headrests, allowing the same clean look when the top is down. In the event of an imminent collision or rollover in the cabriolet, two roll bars deploy and lock in place within 0.3 seconds.
Details distinguish the CLK models. The CLK350 has neutral-tinted glass and gray vanes in its grille, while the CLK550 has blue-tinted glass, high-gloss black vanes with chrome trim on the grille, and a short rear spoiler. The hotrod CLK63 AMG sports a front valance with three separate sections, mesh grillwork and flared rocker panels between the wheels.
The CLK350 and CLK550 come with 17-inch wheels, slightly wider with fatter tires in back, to create the staggered-wheel look of a race car. The wheels on the CLK350 are a light-alloy five-spoke design. Those on the CLK550 feature an AMG-styled monoblock design. The CLK63 AMG has 18-inch wheels in a highly polished double-spoke pattern with lower profile Z-rated tires.
The optional Sport Appearance Package for the CLK350 includes special 10-spoke aluminum wheels, a sports suspension that lowers the CLK slightly, and cross-drilled brake rotors that are visible through the wheels. The brake calipers are painted with Mercedes script.
Interior Features
The Mercedes-Benz CLK is a fairly compact car, but there is enough space and seat adjustment inside to accommodate very tall people in front. Generally, the cabin has the look and feel of success.
Materials are very good throughout. Soft polyurethane sprayed onto the dashboard provides an attractive appearance and a luxurious feel. Black-stained ash wood trim and black carpet is standard, though traditional burl walnut is available at no charge. Nice touches of wood and gathered leather on the door panels make for a very attractive cabin.
When front passengers close the doors, an electric arm on each side of the CLK extends to present the seatbelts, making it easier to reach the belts. The belt presenters retract once the belts are buckled. It works well, though we've seen passengers startled by them, fearing the return of the motorized mouse.
Most controls and switches, including climate adjustments and audio, are stacked in the center of the dash above the console. They're easy to locate and big enough to adjust without a lot of concentration. Standard features include digital dual-zone temperature control with a sun sensor to optimize air distribution. The rain-sensing wipers are operated with a stalk on the right side of the steering column.
Storage options have improved by Mercedes standards, but come up short when compared with other cars. The two-tiered glove box is large, but the optional CD changer will take up one of the shelves. The center console has two cup holders and a storage bin.
The gauge cluster is a mix of traditional analog gauges and LED graphics. A large round speedometer and tachometer dominate the center, flanked by two smaller, thermometer-like gauges for the fuel level and coolant temperature. It's both attractive and effective, with crisp illuminated script that's easy to read at a glance, though at first you may confuse full and empty on the gas gauge.
The CLK steering wheel is one of our favorites: just the right size, thickness and firmness for this car, and power-adjustable for tilt and reach. Rocker buttons on its spokes allow operation of several systems, including stereo, climate and telephone.
These buttons also manage an LED information display in the center of the gauges. There's a wealth of information available, including trip functions such as average speed and distance to empty, but it takes a bit of concentration to scroll through and find what you're looking for.
Access to the rear seats is easier than it is in many coupes, but that's mostly because there is more room than in many coupes. The front seats help by tipping and sliding forward with a quick-release lever. If the front passengers don't have their seats moved too far rearward, there's enough room for two adults in back. At least for traveling to dinner and a show, if not a cross country trek.
The rear seat folds down with 60/40 split, and that's good. With 10.4 cubic feet of space in the trunk, the CLK will hold a load of luggage for two, but its trunk is smaller than typical in a sedan of its size. The fold-flat rear seat helps a bit with oversized items.
You won't lose much rear seat space with the CLK Cabriolet, but you will lose a lot of storage in the trunk, even when the convertible top is up. With the top up, there's enough space for four to six bags of groceries. When the top is down, it cuts the trunk space almost in half. Nonetheless, the top is thickly insulated and beautifully lined, and it's almost as pristinely quiet in the CLK Cabriolet as it is in the coupe, when the top is up.
Driving Impressions
Once underway, the Mercedes-Benz CLK offers a balance of virtues. It's luxurious and comfortable, but also energetic.
Its rigid structure contributes to its smooth, quiet operation, lack of vibration, and balance of ride quality and handling capability. A rigid chassis does not mean a stiff ride, however.
The CLK suspension absorbs bumps without fanfare. The only disturbance comes from the crack of tires over potholes, and it's heard more than felt. The CLK is comfortable, but not numbing, so the steering feeds good information back to the driver about how well the front tires are gripping.
This balance of smoothness and road feel means you might be driving the CLK harder than you realize in fairly short order. When the straight, flat roads of the city give way to twisty two-lanes in the hills and countryside, the coupe handles curves with the grace of a thoroughbred. It maintains a nice, flat attitude through sweeping bends and won't bob or weave with frequent application of the brakes.
We like the way Mercedes has refined its electronic stability program, which can help the driver maintain control by reducing skidding. In the CLK, the system is virtually transparent, intervening unobtrusively to prevent wheel spin, but without the heavy-handed reduction in power that marred some of its early applications.
Engine performance is satisfying in all models. The 268-hp V6 in the CLK350 has all the power most drivers need, accelerating with authority from a stoplight and moving the car smoothly through the gears. Acceleration times for the V6 match those for the typical V8-powered luxury car of the late 1990s, and there's a reserve of power that makes passing on two-lane roads a stress-free process.
Nonetheless, the 5.5-liter V8 in the CLK550 is a significant, noticeable step up, from both the CLK350 and the previous CLK500 models. With 382 horsepower and nearly 400 pound-feet of torque, acceleration here is thrilling. Capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds, the CLK550 is high performance by nearly any definition. Slam the accelerator at any speed and what follows, almost instantaneously, is a satisfying, muted growl from the exhaust and a whoosh of speed.
Both the CLK350 and CLK550 are equipped with the seven-speed automatic, and we like this transmission. Beyond the extra gears, its control program works better than that on the Mercedes automatics of previous years. This one doesn't slack off when you need it most, kicking down to a lower gear fast, sometimes three gears at once, if you slam the accelerator hard. Alternate shift buttons, which allow selection of a specific gear, are located on the back of the steering wheel hub, right where fingers wrap around the spokes. The touch-shift manual mode works nicely.
The AMG model offers a seven-speed automatic, labeled the AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic. Its internal parts are beefed up to reduce shift times in manual mode and handle the power generated by the CLK63 AMG V8 engine. With the 6.3-liter engine and seven-speed automatic, this car is blindingly quick. Throttle response is instantaneous, automatic downshifts nearly so, and the manual control electronics are programmed to hold a gear near the engine's redline, allowing high-rev, low-gear driving.
The CLK Cabriolet AMG was already one of the most drivable cars in Mercedes' inventory, and it still is, even though it's not equipped with the Active Body Control or variable air suspension used on Mercedes ultra-luxury models, just good suspension tuning, good steering feel and crisp turn-in. Some Mercedes-Benzes will dutifully go along for the ride when driven hard, behaving quite predictably as they go. The CLK63, on the other hand, beckons to be pushed, and when the driver finishes a run through an empty canyon, it feels ready for more.
The brakes on the CLKs stop the car with authority, and deliver a nice, easy-to-modulate pedal feel that's distinctly lacking on some Mercedes models. The CLK63 AMG Cabriolet is equipped with multi-piston brake calipers and larger rotors that kick everything up a notch, virtually eliminating the possibility of brake fade anywhere this side of a race track. The AMG is also equipped with something called Racetimer, which can record acceleration, top speed or lap times and store them for retrieval at the driver's request.
With its smooth aerodynamics, generally quiet manners and excellent anti-skid electronics, the rear-drive CLK Coupe is suitable for all-season use, in our view. Snow tires would remove any reservation, even in regions with lots of snow.
If you love top-down motoring, there's no real reason to pass on the CLK Cabriolet. With the top up it's almost as snug and quiet as the coupe. With the side windows up and fold-up windblocker in place, you could motor top-down on sunny days when the temperature is in the 40s. Best of all, there is no serious degradation in that tight, solid feeling that characterizes the CLK Coupe. Extensive use of high-strength steel alloys and liberal structural re-enforcements maintain the torsional stiffness and help minimize vibration. Mercedes claims the stiffness of the cabriolet's body is equal to that of the coupe, and we find no reason to challenge that assertion. Of course, those structural re-enforcements add weight to the Cabriolet, so owners are likely to see a slight reduction in fuel economy compared to the coupe.
The Mercedes-Benz CLK is a rare blend of style, luxury and sporty driving performance. It's elegant, tasteful and engaging inside and out, and its design should wear well with time. There's room inside for two couples during an evening out. Both the coupe and convertible will work as all-season cars in most locales. The V6-powered CLK350 will satisfy most owners, while the CLK550 V8 delivers high performance by nearly any measure. The CLK63 AMG is strictly for enthusiast drivers. The CLK550 so good in most respects that those less committed are not likely to appreciate what the CLK63 adds for its price premium.
NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Tom Lankard reported from Santa Barbara, California; with Mitch McCullough reporting from Los Angeles, and J.P. Vettraino in Detroit.
Model Line Overview | |
Model lineup: | Mercedes-Benz CLK350 Coupe ($46,450); CLK350 Cabriolet ($54,500); CLK550 Coupe ($55,150); CLK550 Cabriolet ($63,200); CLK63 AMG Cabriolet ($89,500); CLK63 AMG Black Series ($135,000) |
Engines: | 268-hp 3.5-liter dohc 24-valveV6; 382-hp 5.5-liter dohc 32-valve V8; 475-hp 6.3-liter dohc 32-valve V8 |
Transmissions: | 7-speed automatic |
Safety equipment (standard): | dual two-stage front-impact airbags; front passenger side-impact torso airbags (coupe) or head and torso airbags (convertible); curtain-style, full cabin head protection airbags (coupe); automatic-deploying roll bars (cabriolet); Tele Aid emergency communication; antilock brakes with brake assist; electronic stability program |
Safety equipment (optional): | rear passenger side-impact airbags ($390) |
Basic warranty: | 4 years/50,000 miles |
Assembled in: | Osnabrueck, Germany |
Specifications As Tested | |
Model tested (MSPR): | Mercedes-Benz CLK350 Coupe ($46,450) |
Standard equipment: | dual-zone automatic climate control with pollen and dust filter; leather upholstery; 10-way power-adjustable front seats; power tilt/telescope steering wheel; 3-setting memory for front seats, steering wheel and exterior mirrors; 6-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo; one-touch up/down power windows; keyless remote locking; trip computer |
Options as tested (MSPR): | Sport Appearance Package ($490) includes sport suspension, cross-drilled brake rotors and ten-spoke alloy wheels; heated front seats ($700) |
Destination charge: | $875 |
Gas guzzler tax: | N/A |
Price as tested (MSPR): | $48415 |
Layout: | rear-wheel drive |
Engine: | 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6 |
Horsepower (lb.-ft @ rpm): | 268 @ 6000 |
Torque (lb.-ft @ rpm): | 258 @ 2400 |
Transmission: | 7-speed TouchShift automatic |
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy: | 19/28 mpg |
Wheelbase: | 106.9 in. |
Length/width/height: | 183.2/68.5/55.4 in. |
Track, f/r: | 58.9/58.0 in. |
Turning circle: | 35.3 ft. |
Seating Capacity: | 4 |
Head/hip/leg room, f: | 37.1/53.7/42.0 in. |
Head/hip/leg room, m: | N/A |
Head/hip/leg room, r: | 35.8/45.9/33.0 in. |
Cargo volume: | 10.4 cu. ft. |
Payload: | N/A |
Towing capacity: | N/A |
Suspension, f: | independent three-link, coil springs, gas-pressurized shocks, stabilizer bar |
Suspension, r: | independent five-link, coil springs, gas-pressurized shocks, stabilizer bar |
Ground clearance: | 3585 in. |
Curb weigth: | N/A |
Tires: | 225/45ZR17 front; 245/40ZR17 rear |
Brakes, f/r: | vented disc/disc with ABS and Brake Assist |
Fuel capacity: | 16.4 gal. |
Unless otherwise indicated, specifications refer to test vehicle. All prices are manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSPR) effective as of October 13, 2008.Prices do not include manufacturer's destination and delivery charges. N/A: Information not available or not applicable. Manufacturer Info Sources: 800-367-6372 - www.mbusa.com |
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7 Effective Ways to Promote Free Shipping Free shipping can help get customers to buy and boost the size of their orders. Here's how to make sure they're aware of your offer.
By Jane Porter •
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Dave Gilboa was an MBA student at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School when he and three of his classmates realized they could use free shipping to shake up the e-commerce eyeglass industry.
In 2010, they launched Warby Parker with not just free shipping and free returns on all products, but a promotion called the Home Try On Program that lets consumers receive up to five frames and choose the ones they like best. Then, they ship all of them back and the frames they selected are fitted with prescription lenses and redelivered--all with no shipping expenses. The program has proven popular, and the New York-based company has grown to 100 employees. The company declined to disclose financial results.
While shipping is a significant cost, Gilboa views it as a marketing expense. "We really rely on customers to do our marketing for us," he says referring to word-of-mouth promotion and the buzz the company gets on Facebook and other social media sites.
To properly execute and promote your own free shipping program, consider these seven approaches:
Think beyond your website's home page. Merchants should include their free-shipping message throughout the shopping process up until the moment of purchase, says Kevin Eichelberger, founder and CEO of Blue Acorn, a Charleston, S.C.-based e-commerce agency. That means using the same colors, graphics and language throughout your site when referring to free shipping. Because consumers often don't come to your site through the home page, make sure the free shipping message is incorporated into your product pages, as well.
Work "free shipping" into your website's meta filters. People will often type "free shipping" with a product name when searching online, says Linda Bustos, director of e-commerce research at Elastic Path Software Inc., an enterprise e-commerce platform based in Vancouver, British Columbia. By including the term "free shipping" in your title tag, you give your business a greater chance of turning up in an online search.
Create delivery deadlines. Building urgency into free shipping offers can help push shoppers to buy. When holidays approach, let customers know their last day to qualify for free shipping and still receive their purchases on time, Eichelberger says. Whether through an email campaign or on your website, hard deadlines can be particularly effective with last-minute shoppers who tend to drag out their buying decisions.
Work with a third party to spread the word. Signing up for Free Shipping Day on December 17, or the website freeshipping.org can help you gain exposure, says Luke Knowles, founder and CEO of freeshipping.org, a Fort Collins, Colo.-based Web aggregator of free shipping deals. Last December, his website attracted 500,000 people looking for free shipping. Retailers can sign up for Free Shipping Day by filling out a form on the website, freeshippingday.com.
Use free shipping to raise the average value of your orders. If your website requires a minimum purchase amount to qualify for free shipping, make sure customers know how far they are from meeting it as they fill their shopping cart, Eichelberger says. You also can provide customers with a link to a page with items in the price range needed to reach the minimum threshold.
Offer free shipping as a reward to valuable customers. Rather than use free shipping to attract customers who are just out for a deal, make it a loyalty incentive for your existing customers, Eichelberger says. "Use it as a means to reward your best customers by making it an exclusive offer." You can create a Members Only section on your website to offer such exclusives and help build brand loyalty.
Promote free shipping after the sale. Don't waste the purchase completion page that appears after an online order has gone through, Eichelberger says. You can use it to offer a free shipping voucher on the customer's next order or advertise upcoming shipping promotions. Another option is offering customers the opportunity to post their purchase on their Facebook wall, Eichelberger says. You can include a message about free shipping in that status update to let others know about it.

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- Find the Tournament you want to participate in and download their application. See the list posted on the Spring Select Documents or here: Spring/Summer Tournament Listing.
- Submit a Tournament Check Request: Log into inLeague (only available to team staff-coaches and managers). Under the Coach tab within inLeague, select "Team Rosters & Admin". If there are multiple teams listed, select the team for which you are requesting a check. Select the radio button next to "Tournament Check Request – Tournament Fees & Referee Deposits" and click on "Display Selected Page" at the bottom. Complete the request form. IMPORTANT: in the comments, please specify the REFEREE DEPOSIT amount and for how many tournaments (including this one) checks have been requested (i.e., "this is our 3rd tournament"). NOTE: Checks will not be mailed to the tournaments, they will be returned to you for mailing.
- E-mail your tournament application, and any other requested documents to the Assistant Regional Commissioner for Spring at email@example.com. We will provide you with an eayso roster, unless the tournament requires their own custom roster. If so please e-mail the custom roster as well. ONLY IF UNABLE TO E-MAIL, contact the ARC for Spring to make alternate arrangements to deliver application packet. (NOTE: E-MAILING APPLICATION IS PREFERRED).
- Wait to be contacted by ARC for Spring or RC. Please allow up to 10 days for your check request to be processed. If after 5 days, you have not heard from anyone, please contact the ARC for Spring. We will notify you when to pick up approved application, roster & region check. If a Referee Form is requested as part of Tournament Application packet, time permitting, we will try to include that approved form for you as well in one packet.
On all applications make sure the official address for contact or refunds is our region's address:
SM AYSO Region 20 – INSERT YOUR Division/Coach Name Here (u10b/Smith)
PO Box 91
Santa Monica, CA 90406-0091
Tel: 310-451-6711
NOTE: If the check request is for your 4th tournament, we will need a collateral check in the total amount from your team that will be held until the ref deposits from your first 3 tournaments are returned. Remember that the spring fee covers 3 tournaments with an additional tournament free if the team supplies ref teams that fulfill their assignments. (Make sure referees keep proof until ref refund is received).
If the check request is for additional tournaments above the maximum number the team is allowed for free, players will register online for additional fees for each tournament ($60 per player). A collateral check for the full tournament amount may be required and will be held until all players are registered.


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Harley Trike Parts
Lehman Trikes introduces Hawg EFX Running Boards for 2009-2010 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide and Street Glide trikes.
The new Hawg EFX are made of a durable composite that fasten securely to the fenders and are supported by a steel subframe providing a sturdy and reliable weight-bearing step.
The ultimate in weather protection and style, the new running boards are manufactured and painted in-house by Lehman Trikes, the original supplier to Harley-Davidson for components, paint, and conversion services for 2009-2010 Harley-Davidson trikes.
Factory color matched paint is available for all colors. Hawg EFX are competitively priced starting at MSRP $968.00 (unpainted) and are available through select H-D and Lehman Trikes dealers nationwide.
For more information on Hawg EFX and to locate a Lehman Trikes dealer, visit lehmantrikes.com or call 888-3WHEELS.


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Possible Duplicate:
Sites with a good selection of sheet music
Occasionally, I search for music notes online, e.g. for pieces by Sor, Dowland, Bach and others. Are there some good resources for musical notes (or tabs)? I am interested in classical guitar and lute compositions.
I have seen this question (What is the legality of online tabulature?) and agree with the shadowy (and often ad-cluttered) ambiance of some of these sites. Are there some legal, maybe even well-organized, too?


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Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more.
Annually, the Town of Southampton offers Human Services (HS) grants and the Cultural Arts and Recreational (CAR) grants to certified 501(c) organizations that provide such services to Southampton Town residents.
Human Service grants assist social services organizations that provide social and financial services such as counseling and psychotherapy services, health care services, child care, or educational services.
Cultural Arts and Recreation grants assist organizations that present visual or performing arts and recreational programs.
The 2020 Southampton Town Human Services and the Cultural Arts and Recreation grant applications are now available through the Southampton Town website: www.southamptontownny.gov/community-services-grants.
Additionally, printed copies will be available for pick up in the Citizens Response Center in Southampton Town Hall at 116 Hampton Road in Southampton.
2020 Human Service and Cultural Arts and Grants Application (PDF)
Completed applications may be mailed to the address included on the application, dropped at the Citizens Response Center in Southampton Town Hall, or scanned and emailed to email@example.com.
The Southampton Town Board approves all grant awards by a Town Board resolution. Recipients are notified by mail following the Town Board meeting in which the resolution is passed, usually the second Town Board meeting in January.
Call Virginia Bennett at (631) 702-2423 Monday – Friday between 9 am and 5 pm with any other questions.


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Just when many shopping malls had finally figured out how to adapt to the era of digital retail, the coronavirus pandemic upended everything.
Having seen their recent move toward dining, entertainment, fitness and personal services come to a screeching halt – a pivot that was supposed to help them survive the Amazon age – malls throughout America are suddenly running out of time.
With J.C. Penney trying to avoid liquidation, smaller retailers closing or requesting rent relief, and venues like theaters still temporarily shut down due to COVID-19, anywhere from 1 in 4 malls to 1 in 2 could go out of business altogether, analysts projected.
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"The whole business model of a mall, which is about pulling in as many people as you can and getting them to stay for as long as you can, has just unraveled," said Neil Saunders, managing director of consultancy GlobalData Retail.
The bleak turn of events has provided more fuel to online retailers already swiping market share away from malls that were relying on diminishing foot traffic to apparel shops and department stores in particular.
"There are malls that this crisis will accelerate their closure, no doubt," said Kat Cole, president and chief operating officer of Focus Brands, parent company of mall classics like Cinnabon and Auntie Anne's. "How many is anybody's guess, but we're hoping it's a minority."
Bed Bath & Beyond store closings: Bed Bath announces plans to permanently close 200 stores over next two years
Face mask requirements: Can stores make you wear a mask? Do kids have to wear masks?
Analysts at Coresight Research, which tracks retail closures, projected that about 25% of America's malls would disappear within the next three to five years.
But that could rise to as many as 50% "if we can't stop the bleeding," Coresight CEO Deborah Weinswig said in an interview. "That ends up changing the face of America."
In general, analysts say that high-end "A" malls are in the best shape because their luxury retail tenants have higher profit margins and thus are better able to withstand the downturn. But so-called "B" and "C" malls, which have lower-priced stores and more vacancies, are facing a high risk of closure.
"They're trying to plug the holes in a dam," Weinswig said.
Even malls that bet big on in-person experiences that were considered to be extremely resilient in the age of digital retail are suddenly experiencing nothing but pain.
"A lot of the things that malls have built-in like gyms, movie theaters and restaurants, food service are just not able to operate and pull in customers the way they once did," Saunders said. "They're either having to shut down or limit capacity or customers are very reluctant to go there."
Mall occupancy rates hit their lowest level in at least a decade in the second quarter of 2020 at 94.4%, according to CoStar Group, which tracks real estate.
Of the nation's 1,793 enclosed shopping malls, nearly 500 "are at risk due to their location being poor" or "due to their dependence" on office workers or tourism for foot traffic, CoStar senior consultant Kevin Cody said.
Retailers filing for bankruptcy
While some retailers have flourished during the pandemic, nearly all of them – such as Walmart, Target, Kroger and Home Depot – offered essential services of some kind, including groceries and home improvement goods. Few are typically located in malls.
On the other hand, department stores and apparel retailers, which dominate most malls, have been floundering. And many are already facing existential crises.
Recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings have included department store chains J.C. Penney and Neiman Marcus as well as apparel retailers Brooks Brothers and J. Crew. Those four have said they hope to use the restructuring process to cut debt and emerge as more sustainable companies.
But their plans also include hundreds of store closures, including 242 planned by J.C. Penney alone, raising the prospect that malls throughout the country will be hollowed out in the coming months.
Retailers have already announced the closure of more than 80 million square feet of space so far in 2020, according to CoStar. That compared with 114 million for all of 2019, which had the liquidation of Payless ShoeSource, Gymboree and Charlotte Russe.
"Malls are going to certainly see a lot of those closures. And I think that mall owners are going to have to get creative in order to survive," CoStar consultant Robin Trantham said.
Store closings 2020: As many as 25,000 stores could permanently close this year due to COVID-19 impact
COVID-19 changing liquidation sales: JCPenney, Tuesday Morning, Pier 1 going-out-of-business sales different because of COVID-19
Bill Taubman, chief operating officer of Taubman Centers, one of the largest mall property owners in the country, pointed out that most of the retailers that have tumbled into bankruptcy in recent months had significant challenges before the pandemic erupted.
For example, J.C. Penney, Neiman Marcus and J. Crew had billions of dollars in debt that weighed them down, placing them on watch-lists for Chapter 11.
"The COVID crisis has impacted them in a way that has deteriorated their business plan. I can agree with that for sure. But I don't know that COVID was the cause of the issue to begin with," Taubman said.
But he acknowledged that the pandemic will require malls to adapt their approach, especially because retail leasing is not expected to rebound quickly, even if a vaccine ultimately puts an end to the crisis.
"I think we're seeing a higher rate of evolution right now than we have in the past and we're going to have to move," Taubman said. "But there are so many new tenants out there that are interested in space and interested in experiencing bricks and mortar and I don't think that's going to fade. I think it's going to take a hiatus for a while because people don't have the money right now."
The challenges facing department stores, in particular, are especially problematic for malls – and not just because of the foot traffic they're supposed to deliver. Many malls also have clauses in their leases that allow other, smaller tenants to leave if anchor tenants drop out.
"The department store is just a format that does not work anymore," said Chris Kuiper, a CFRA Research stock analyst who tracks mall companies. "People don't want to wade through a four-story megastore to find a couple of items. So instead of these anchors being a traffic generator, they became an anchor in a literal sense, dragging down these malls."
Experiential model fades
The great hope for malls was supposed to be a sharp pivot toward experiences and services. But in-person, indoor interaction is considered one of the riskiest activities during the pandemic – and thus many of those operations have been shut down for months, with little promise of reopening soon amid an outbreak in states like Texas, Arizona and Florida.
"That has unfortunately turned into a massive liability because those are the things that are going to stay closed," Kuiper said. "So they're really facing no good options at this point."
The key question is whether the experiential model is finished or simply on hold.
Philadelphia resident Marta Rusek, 35, considers herself a lifelong mall shopper and before the pandemic was regularly going to the AMC movie theater at her local mall.
Now, Rusek, who works as a nonprofit organizer and has a compromised immune system, has no plans to return anytime soon. She even recently dreamt about going to a mall again but called it a "COVID-19 nightmare" because in the dream she accidentally left her mask at home.
"I'm not going to feel safe going into the theater or being around large crowds of people until the day those magic words that 'there's a vaccine available and it's over' are spoken," Rusek said.
On that day, malls that had bet on food, entertainment, fitness centers and other services could zoom right back to the front of the pack.
Michael Brown, a partner in the consumer practice of global strategy and management consultancy Kearney who has studied the future of retail, said the experiential model remains compelling for malls in the long run.
"We all believe that the COVID pandemic is temporary. We don't know if it's temporary for six, 12, 18 months or longer, but it is temporary," Brown said. "At some point in time, we will gather in public together to enjoy dining or entertainment or sports or recreation together. That's why we say this is really just an accelerator. The strong will survive, but they will take a financial hit in the short term."
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Shopping reinvented: America's stores, malls reopen with masks, curbside pickup and closed fitting rooms
Brown rejected the suggestion that Americans will stay away from mall restaurants, for example, after the pandemic.
"Dining at home is nice, but the food doesn't arrive as hot, it's not presented as well and somebody always has to do the dishes when you're done," Brown said. "So it's not a substitute for dining out."
Despite short-term difficulties for tenants like fitness centers, which have been forced to shut down in many states, malls are still likely to move in that direction when this is over if only because of the pressure e-commerce continues to place on physical stores, CoStar's Trantham said.
"While it may take a while for fitness centers and restaurants to expand at the same rate as they were before, we will still believe that they will recover eventually," Trantham said.
In the long run, mall property owners may need to pivot once again, turning toward alternative options for their space, like hotels, apartments, or online product fulfillment centers, analysts say.
"Real estate is real estate, so if you've got a good piece of land you can turn that into something totally different," Kuiper said.
They also need to invest in new ideas like consolidated areas within the mall where shoppers can pick up products that they bought online from retailers located inside the mall, analysts said.
However, many malls can't make long-term plans right now. They're too busy dealing with the present.
For example, mall owner CBL & Associates warned in a public filing that it faces a risk of going out of business. The company missed a key interest payment in June, having racked up about $4.5 billion in debt.
CBL, which has 108 properties in 26 states, reported rental revenue of $161 million in the first quarter, down 18.5% from a year earlier, as store closures, rent concessions and bankruptcies took a toll.
"There's just too much debt on these assets that will never produce that level of cash flow anymore," Kuiper said.
Malls come under pressure to provide rent relief
In many cases, retail tenants are requesting rent relief from mall property owners as they navigate the crisis. Nordstrom, J.C. Penney and The Cheesecake Factory are examples of retailers that have either failed to pay in full or are negotiating temporary rent reductions.
"They don't have to close if the mall developers can figure out how to restructure their rents to make sense for their tenants," Focus Brands executive Cole said, referring in general to retailers that are seeking a break.
Without rent relief, store closures could accelerate. That will undermine mall finances and place additional pressure on them because with additional vacancies, remaining tenants won't want to pay full price for the space either, Saunders said.
"In the present environment, it's going to be really difficult for the mall and property owners to fill those gaps," Saunders said.
One alternative to rent relief might be for mall owners and retailers to join forces.
Mall owners Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners are reportedly considering a joint bid to buy J.C. Penney in a strategy that mall companies have deployed with increasing frequency in recent years. In February, Simon was part of a group that agreed to buy fashion retailer Forever 21 out of bankruptcy, and in 2016, Simon was part of a group that bought fashion retailer Aéropostale out of bankruptcy.
Officials with Simon and Brookfield declined to comment on the reports.
"They're thinking they're going to save themselves by saving their customer – the one that pays them rent," Kuiper said.
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But it's a risky proposition because mall property owners don't have much experience running retail operations that are subject to the whims of fashion and the challenges of competing with digital players like Amazon.
"The whole advantage of being the landlord is you don't care who your tenants are as long as they pay rent," Kuiper said. "I get what they're doing, and it might make sense on one level, but long term I just don't see it."
Even in a best-case scenario, malls are "going to be weakened coming out" of the pandemic, said Nick Shields, an analyst at Third Bridge who covers retail and real estate investment trusts.
Outdoor malls are best positioned to make it through, he said. "This is their time to shine."
Mall owners will need to collaborate closely with tenants and local officials to come up with creative solutions to survive this crisis, in addition rent relief, said Coresight's Weinswig. But a bevy of lawsuits by landlords against retailers for a failure to pay rent points to an adversarial posture that could lead to a downward spiral.
"I think the back half (of 2020) is going to be unlike anything we've ever seen," she said.
Follow USA TODAY reporters Nathan Bomey and Kelly Tyko on Twitter @NathanBomey and @KellyTyko.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Store closings could speed up death of America's malls, retail changes


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Writing in the journal PLoS ONE on April 9, researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison describe a strain of mice that exhibit unusually high rates of maternal neglect, with approximately one out of every five females failing to care for her offspring. By comparing the good mothers to their less attentive relatives, the group has found that negligent parenting seems to have both genetic and non-genetic influences, and may be linked to dysregulation of the brain signaling chemical dopamine.
As a possible model for human child neglect, these mice offer a valuable opportunity to investigate the biological and behavioral bases of naturally occurring maternal neglect, say UW-Madison zoology professor Stephen Gammie, who led the study, and co-author psychology professor Anthony Auger.
Good mouse mothers suckle, groom, and protect their pups, while their neglectful sisters may start out trying to care for a litter, but fail to follow through. "There seems to be a switch early on. The neglectful mice may nurse for a day or two after birth, but then the parental care ceases," Gammie says.
To separate the effects of genes and environment, the researchers set up a fostering study, in which pups born to previously nurturing mothers and previously neglectful mothers were switched immediately after birth.
Surprisingly, while nurturing moms attentively cared for foster pups born to other nurturing females, some became more neglectful when given foster pups born to a neglectful mother.
"In some cases the previously nurturing mothers would actively scatter the pups away from the nest, suggesting a negative cue from the pups or a lack of a positive cue," Gammie says. The result suggests that the offspring are somehow able to influence females' behavior and shows that maternal care can be affected by non-genetic factors.
In the fostering study, previously neglectful mothers did successfully raise some of the pups born to previously nurturing mothers, but these surviving pups showed lasting effects, including hyperactivity and low adult body weight. Some females neglected as youngsters were also poor mothers as adults, suggesting some aspects of neglect can be transmitted across generations.
The group also found evidence of genetic factors contributing to neglect. For example, virgin females that exhibited poor self-grooming and hyperactive behavior were at greater risk for becoming neglectful mothers.
To identify possible biological differences, the researchers analyzed brains of neglectful and nurturing mothers shortly after birth. In several brain regions - including some implicated in both maternal behaviors and reward responsiveness - they found higher levels of activity as well as signs of abnormal dopamine signaling in the neglectful mothers.
These patterns suggest that naturally occurring maternal neglect in these mice reflects disrupted reward-seeking behavior, Gammie says. In other words, these females may have the physical capability to take care of their pups, but may lack the proper motivation.
"It's been shown in a number of studies that parental care is a motivated, reward-related behavior," he says. "And it has been suggested by others that some aspects of child neglect in humans could result from a lack of reward of an offspring to the parent."
Though often overshadowed by more visible abuse cases, human child neglect may actually be a more widespread problem. A report published last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on U.S. children (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5713a2.htm) found that, among infants less than a week old, nearly 70 percent of nonfatal mistreatment cases from 2005 to 2006 were instances of neglect.
Child neglect has devastating consequences, Auger says, and the natural occurrence of maternal neglect within this mouse strain offers a powerful opportunity to investigate the biological and behavioral bases of maternal neglect.
Though he cautions that it's too early to know how their findings will translate to humans, for the mice "the difference is quite dramatic in the brain. Dopamine is likely not the only thing being disrupted, but it is an important starting signaling pathway to pursue."
Next, Auger says, "We hope to understand in greater detail the basis of naturally occurring neglect and provide treatment paradigms to these animals to restore natural maternal care of offspring."


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Vintage 1951 Birthday T-Shirt fits like a well-loved favorite. Soft cotton and quality print make users fall in love with it over and over again. These t-shirts have-ribbed knit collars to bolster shaping. The shoulders have taping for better fit over time. Dual side seams hold the garment's shape for longer.
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iPod® / iPhone® Building Block Speaker
Turn your iPod into a portable boom box.
The iPod Building Block Speaker is one of the coolest iPod accessories we've seen in a long time. This mini speaker turns nearly any iPod or iPhone into a portable boom box, allowing you to "share" your music with anyone within earshot.
Dock connector ensures compatibility with almost all iPods and iPhones. Volume up / down buttons are disguised as "connectors" on the front.
Features & specs
- Size of a standard LEGO® (2.5" x 0.75" x 0.75")
- No battery required
- Docking connector compatible with almost all iPods and iPhones
- Active bass system ensures excellent audio quality
- Up/down volume buttons
- Compatible with iPhone 4
You may also like:
Share your music with your friends...and enemies!
Inspired by a LEGO® brick, the iPod Building Block Speaker is a miniature set of stereo speakers featuring an iPod Dock connector. This means it's compatible with almost any iPod that uses a dock connector. Just put your iPod on top of the speaker and hit 'Play'. No batteries are required to turn your iPod into a miniature, portable boom box.
Compatible with any iPhone or iPod featuring a dock connector
If you can hook up your iPod to your computer by "docking" it, then the iPod Building Block Speaker will work with your iPod. If you happen to own any iPhone (2G/3G/3G(s)/4G), you're also in luck. The iPod Building Block Speaker is fully compatible with iPhones.
Compatibility list
If your iPod or iPhone is listed below, you're good-to-go with this awesome LEGO®-like speaker:
- iPod touch 1st-4th generation
- iPhone 2G/3G/3G(s)/4
- iPod nano 1st-5th generation
- iPod mini
- iPod 3rd-5th generation
- iPod classic
No batteries required
The iPod Building Block Speaker doesn't require any batteries. It uses a small amount of power from your iPod to drive its stereo speakers. Use the concealed volume buttons on the front of the block to adjust the number of people you want to annoy while blasting Danzig at Starbucks.
Where can I buy this awesomeness?
Burning Questions: You Ask, We Answer
Want to ask your own Burning Question?
This product is no longer available for purchase directly from Vat19. Therefore, we are no longer accepting new burning questions at this time. Sorry!


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Editor's note: Seth Priebatsch, founder of mobile companies SCVNGR and LevelUp, is an expert on the way games and game mechanics are changing life in the real world.
(CNN) -- On October 20 in a small town in Louisiana, there will be a rodeo, complete with the prerequisite boots, bulls and Marlboro-man doppelgangers.
But this particular rodeo will take place not at a fairgrounds, but at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as "Angola." The riders are untrained inmates who have earned the right to participate -- and feel up to 6 seconds of freedom atop an angry bull -- in a highly calculated and wildly effective prison reward system.
Oh, we'll get back to that.
First, though, I want to acquaint you with Burl Cain. He's the Angola warden that I'm fairly convinced moonlights as a savvy game designer. In 2004 Cain was charged with giving a makeover to America's largest and bloodiest maximum-security prison, home to 5,300 violent offenders.
It was a Goliath-sized task. Angola was stained with a long history of gang violence and one particularly gruesome incident back in the 1950s when prisoners cut their Achilles tendons to protest poor lockdown treatment. Ouch. At LevelUp, the mobile payment and gaming company I founded, I thought our recent protest against the soy "cheese" in the communal office fridge got ugly.
Cain's play-by-play at Angola reads like a deck of game-mechanics cards. To change behavior, he introduced a progression system that was notched with "appointments" -- challenges inmates had to conquer to in order to get a reward. Rise to the challenge and you could earn the right to own a pet, to take a job, even the freedom to roam the grounds.
To reach the highest level, known at Angola as becoming a Trustee, can take up to 10 years. It's not an easy game, but it's one that the majority of its players are highly motivated to play.
Today, Angola is a thriving prison environment that has successfully "rehabbed" many hardened criminals into productive Trustees. Prisoners have a sense of ownership, achievement, status and some healthy envy -- not to mention an award-winning prison newspaper.
Of course, this is not a new concept. Prisons have long used incentive systems to motivate inmates. But Cain's implementation is unique. His approach has flourished because he evaluated his target audience and recognized that the traditional reward system was broken. Cain realized that his audience -- many of them men facing life or double-life sentences -- might not be motivated by standard rewards like additional phone time, longer visitation hours or upgraded quarters.
But they would be motivated by an incentive that offered them meaning -- something they could be proud of. Cain believed the opportunity to be a champion could infuse meaning and pride back into the prison experience while motivating inmates to be better men.
Which brings us back to the rodeo.
At a certain point in the climb to Trustee status, inmates earn the opportunity to participate in the Angola Rodeo, held each spring and fall in an arena that holds more than 7,500. The day consists of 11 events, including bull riding. The
beast in question is a 2,000-pound Brahma bull, and most times the inmate rider has never been on the back of a bull before. All is not fair in prisons and rodeos.
If that isn't exciting enough, the finale also includes a pair of poker-themed events. "Convict Poker" begins with four inmates sitting in chairs, playing a friendly game of cards at a table in the middle of the arena. A bull is released into the pen, and the last inmate to remain seated when the animal charges the poker table earns the win. Poker face most definitely required.
The rodeo closes with an event called "Guts and Glory," in which a poker chip is tied to the biggest, baddest bull in the pen. The winner is the first brave inmate who gets close enough to snatch the chip.
It's not as unprofessional as it might sound. Seasoned rodeo clowns are always present in the arena to distract angry animals, and a team of emergency medical personnel is waiting in the wings.
Still, the whole enterprise is speared with controversy, for obvious reasons. Precautions aside, inexperienced inmates are facing off with agitated, unpredictable animals in a costly, injury-ridden event. Change the name and tweak the specifics, and the Angola Rodeo could easily become the plot of the next bestselling dystopian thriller. "The Hunger Games," anyone?
And yet, the rodeo is a powerful motivator for inmates, for two reasons.
The first is pride. Prisoners are willing to face serious injury for the chance to be cheered on by thousands of onlookers. The event represents both an earned right and a true challenge to overcome.
The second, overarching incentive is meaning. It's huge. It's the reason why we as people respond to games and game-like scenarios. Games, especially those with powerful incentive systems, lead us up a ladder and allow us to grasp at something intangible. Much like the Greeks filled stone stadiums to watch gladiators, people are tuning in to the new reality TV show, "Louisiana Lockdown," to see Angola's prisoners succeed or fail. Audiences aren't just responding to the rodeo itself, they're responding to the game mechanics that are driving the inmates' right to participate in the rodeo.
It's a testament to how more people are embracing gamification, which applies game-design thinking to real-life situations to make them more fun and engaging.
You don't need an app or a product or a business to use game mechanics. You just need a person or a group of people with a behavior that you'd like to change.
We've seen a recent shift in thinking about gamification, for two reasons. First, game mechanics has gotten a huge amount of coverage over the past year in the tech press. Such overexposure is often the first step for a new human or technological shift to take root in a meaningful way. (Remember when a social network was launching every five minutes? Social alarm clocks, social microwaves, social networks for the dead. Weird stuff.) But testing every element of a new paradigm is often a necessary step in figuring out what will work best.
The same thing happened with game mechanics. People launched tons of applications of game mechanics -- many of them good and many of them bad. The media cried overexposure and there was a natural backlash. "I don't want marketers manipulating me!" "This isn't fun!" But this oversaturation helped us find the most worthy apps.
That brings me to the second part of this shift. Game mechanics are now being used in more and more "mainstream" ways. The crowdsourcing fundraisers at Kickstarter have had an incredible year motivating people everywhere to back things like indie films and new gadgets through unique opt-in rewards and a few smart progression dynamics.
Have you seen the shiny new dashboard on President Obama's campaign site that enables supporters to join up from their laptop? That's a form of large-scale, real-world communal gaming. And let's not forget Guitar Pee, the interactive urinal that turns the call of nature into a game, complete with a rewarding song download. Brazil, how do you always produce the best ideas?
So yes, the gamification space is expanding in exciting ways. It's not just a tech thing, or a marketing thing, or a mobile-gaming thing.
It's a people thing.
Angola is living proof that game mechanics have come a long way from motivating us to water virtual crops in FarmVille. As inmates become Trustees and take their shot at fleeting glory atop rampaging bulls, game mechanics are becoming a commonplace, mainstream approach to solving even the most intractable of problems.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Seth Priebatsch.


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This was the night that proved he's no one-week wonder, that he's got a real NBA career ahead of him.
After all, Kobe's waiting for revenge next season
Lin had the most astounding performance of his remarkable week, scoring a career-high 38 points and outdueling Bryant as New York held off the Los Angeles Lakers 92-85 on Friday night.
Buried deep on the bench a little more than a week ago, Lin led the Knicks to their fourth straight win, tying their longest streak of the season. His two free throws with 52 seconds left amid booming "MVP! MVP!" chants stopped the Lakers' final rally and allowed the undrafted Harvard product to pass Carmelo Anthony for the highest-scoring game by a Knicks player this season.
"I didn't try to see this game as any different," Lin said. "I just try to make sure that when I get there on the floor, I play as hard as I can and try to do everything I can to help the team win.
"The only thing we established tonight is four in a row. Now we try to go for five tomorrow. I'm not too worried about proving anything to anybody. As a team we're growing and trying to build on the momentum."
Iman Shumpert added 12 points for the Knicks, who are still without Anthony and Amare Stoudemire. But they have Lin, the point guard that two other teams gave up on in December and didn't get his chance in New York until three other players couldn't do the job.
Bryant finished with 34 points, but he got off to a horrendous start and finished only 11 of 29 from the field. Pau Gasol had 16 points and 10 rebounds, but All-Star Andrew Bynum was only 1 of 8 for three points with 13 rebounds as the Lakers' nine-game winning streak against the Knicks was snapped.
Five of those wins had come at Madison Square Garden, where fans used to roar for Bryant.
They've got a new favorite now, and who could have ever predicted it'd be Lin?
"I think it's a great story," Bryant said. "I think it's a testament to perseverance and hard work. Good example for kids everywhere."
A night earlier, Bryant said he wasn't familiar with Lin's game. Now, he'll awake to headlines everywhere that Lin beat him at the "world's most famous arena."
"Enjoy it," Bryant said. "They'll receive judgment next season."
The most surprising story in the NBA came back into the game with 9:25 left after the Knicks' lead had been trimmed to three. Shumpert hit a jumper and blew by Bryant for a dunk before Lin knocked down a jumper to push the lead to 76-69 with about 8 minutes left.
The lead was still eight before Lin nailed a long jumper, then was wide open after an offensive rebound for a 3-pointer from the wing, making it 84-71 as fans stood and screamed throughout the Lakers' timeout.
"What he's doing is amazing," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said. "He answered a lot of questions tonight. Can he make an outside shot? Can he pull the trigger in a big moment? He hit two 3s that just broke the game open. There's so much stuff that he's doing."
Lin followed his 28-point, eight-assist outing Monday in his first career start by scoring 23 points and handing out 10 assists Wednesday against Washington, becoming the first player since LeBron James in 2003 and just the sixth since 1970 to have at least 20 points and eight assists in his first two starts, according to research from the Elias Sports Bureau provided by the Knicks.
He became an instant star in New York just as fans were ready to check out basketball after the Giants' Super Bowl run was over, and just when it appeared the Knicks might fall too far behind in the standings to salvage the season.
Some Lin shirts sold out of one souvenir stand on the concourse level before the game even started were scattered throughout Madison Square Garden — though Spike Lee was still wearing Landry Fields' No. 2 in his courtside seat. Ratings on MSG network are up since Lin joined the lineup, and the NBA said some of its Asian TV partners have added Knicks games to their broadcast schedules so fans can see the league's first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent.
Already drawing comparisons to Tim Tebow for his impact on teammates and the way he speaks of his faith afterward, the hype around him will only grow now after beating one of the league's marquee franchises in his first nationally televised game.
And to think, "Lin-sanity" almost ended before it even started.
Sources with knowledge of the Knicks' thinking told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the Knicks had been giving strong consideration to waiving Lin before his breakout game last Saturday against New Jersey.
Sources told Stein that the Knicks, given Lin's unguaranteed contract, were leaning toward releasing him before Tuesday's 6 p.m. deadline and had begun targeting replacement point guards to take Lin's roster spot, with veteran guard Mike James from their affiliate in the D-League (Erie BayHawks) chief among them.
But after Lin's 53 points combined against New Jersey on Saturday and Monday, New York scrapped its plans, with Lin's contract becoming guaranteed for the rest of the season when Tuesday night's deadline passed.
A night after needing overtime to win at Boston, the Lakers had nothing to start the game, and Lin quickly jumped on them. He started 4 of 5 as the Knicks raced to a 13-4 lead, and it grew to 19-8 as Los Angeles missed 12 of its first 13 shots.
Lin's four field goals in the first quarter matched the Lakers' total in 18 attempts (22 percent).
"I think that you can stop a player from not getting 38 points on you any night. I don't care how good he is, but I guess we didn't step up to the challenge as a team," Gasol said. "(We) overlooked him I guess. Obviously, he made big plays. Made big shots. You've got to give him credit."
The Lakers cut a 14-point deficit to five late in the half before Lin put the Knicks back in control. He had a turnaround jumper then spun around to leave Derek Fisher behind on his way to a layup, pushing it to 47-38 with 2:44 remaining. It was 49-41 at halftime.
Bryant started 1 of 11 before hitting five of his next six shots. The record holder at the current arena with 61 points, he also grabbed 10 rebounds but got going far too late.
Game notes
The Knicks had two points taken off the board in the third quarter when the referees ruled a foul earlier in the period on Metta World Peace shouldn't have counted against the Lakers' team foul total, so the Knicks shouldn't have been in the bonus and shot free throws yet on a later foul. … D'Antoni said Anthony told him he was feeling better and walking without pain. The All-Star forward is expected to be re-evaluated Sunday, but D'Antoni said he doubted Anthony would play Tuesday at Toronto. The Knicks said Anthony was expected to miss a week or two after he was hurt Monday. … Stoudemire, whose brother died in Florida on Monday, is expected to rejoin the team at practice Monday. … Fisher made his 400th consecutive start. He has played in 522 straight games, the longest active streak in the league. … Celebrities on hand included actor Ben Stiller, wrestler and actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Giants Justin Tuck, Brandon Jacobs, Hakeem Nicks and Antrel Rolle.
Information from ESPN.com's Marc Stein and The Associated Press was used in this report.


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Interview: Ubisoft On DRM, Piracy And PC Games
Always On Is Gone
For a couple of years we have been petitioning Ubisoft for an interview with those involved in their DRM decisions. We're very pleased to report that this has finally happened, as we spoke to Stephanie Perotti, Ubi's worldwide director for online games, accompanied by corporate communications manager, Michael Burk. Perotti is involved in all online technologies at Ubisoft, and works with many different studios and teams, with DRM part of her remit. We asked about the evidence for the various figures that have been quoted in the past, whether they have any proof for the efficacy of their extreme DRM, and whether Ubisoft has any regrets with how the matter has been handled in the last few years. And we also learn the rather enormous news that Ubi have abandoned always-on DRM, and will now only use one-time activation for all their PC games.
RPS: Last month, on the 21st, Yves Guillemot said Ubisoft's piracy rates were 90 to 95%, hence the move toward online gaming. But in July last year your DRM was described as being "a success", and as having shown a clear reduction in piracy. Can you talk about how those two statements square up?
Perotti: With regard to the numbers, the numbers are coming from both internal and external research. Research showed that it can reach that rate for some specific or popular PC games, and that number often varies depending on the territory. So we are not saying that it applies to all PC games for all territories, and we're not saying that the same situation would apply for any game.
RPS: But last year it was said that the so-called "always-on" DRM had shown a clear reduction in piracy. The quote was, "A clear reduction in piracy from our titles, which required a persistent online connection, and from that point of view the requirement is a success." Have you any data to evidence this, and if so, are you going to publish it?
Perotti: I'm not going to comment on data. That was an unfortunate comment. We have listened to feedback, and since June last year our policy for all of PC games is that we only require a one-time online activation when you first install the game, and from then you are free to play the game offline.
RPS: That's excellent news. So do you have any regrets about the always-on DRM that you had been using?
Perotti: We've listened to feedback, we will continue to listen to feedback, we will continue to make sure that we deliver great games and great services, and are now operating under this policy.
RPS: Do you acknowledge that always-on DRM has been extremely damaging to Ubisoft's reputation?
Burk: I think that, as Stephanie said, I think this is where that feedback comes in. We've obviously heard from PC customers that they were unhappy with some of the policies that we had in place, and that's why we're looking to make these changes - why we have been implementing these changes, as Stephanie says.
RPS: Would you be willing to say that it was a mistake?
Burk: No, I wouldn't say that. I'll let Stephanie say what she thinks, but I wouldn't use those words. This is a process, and we listened to feedback.
Perotti: I would say the same.
RPS: So you say you're not talking about data. I find that quite interesting bearing in mind data is the one thing that's lacking in this entire discussion, across all publishers, the whole spectrum. The one thing no one's ever shown is any data whatsoever to show DRM's efficacy. Why do you think that is?
Perotti: I think they are complex topics, and as a company we do not disclose this kind of data for confidentiality reasons. As I said earlier, the situation can be very different, from different games, from different territories.
RPS: Whose confidentiality is being broken by publishing piracy rates?
Burk: It's internally confidential meaning competitive, not necessarily that we're breaking anyone's confidentiality. It's competitive information and therefore confidential.
RPS: Do you think that's why no publishers publish such data?
Burk: It's hard to say. I think as Stephanie said it varies, from game to game, region to region, and so the example that you gave - like Stephanie said, we've seen internal and external data to show that it can reach that high. But that doesn't necessarily mean that it is that high for all PC games, or that it is that high for all companies, or across all regions. I think that's one reason why companies are not necessarily broadly publishing this, because we're trying to get a handle on what it means for different games, different titles.
RPS: But do you understand how damaging it's been to your argument to never actually say these numbers?
Perotti: Yes.
RPS: Would Ubisoft now acknowledge that DRM only affects legitimate customers, and doesn't affect people who pirate games?
Perotti: I wouldn't say that, actually. I think the fact that you activate your game when you install it is a pretty industry standard process that we've seen in our industry. That can allow you as well to link your game ownership to your account, which means you can re-download the game for whatever reason, it's not just for one PC any more. You can accept it from other PCs, etc, so I wouldn't say it's something that affects PC gamers.
RPS: With these one-time activations, earlier this year there were the issues with the Anno game, where the DRM meant changing your graphics card would remove one of the activations, and you only had three. Will there be limits to activations, and will there be such strict rules like that again?
Perotti: Anno was a very isolated case, and we reacted and increased the limit in that case. Whereas now when you purchase a game, we're uplifting those limits in terms of how activations you can have, and how many installs you can have on the game, and that's something we're planning to continue to support.
RPS: In fairness, it was Bluebyte who changed the rules on Anno, and when we asked Ubisoft for a statement in January this year, you told us that it was working "exactly as intended".
Perotti: That was again an unfortunate comment, that was also made by someone who was more on the technical development side. The fact is the changes on your graphics card, on your PC configuration, was not intended to count as an activation. And that was the reason we reacted very quickly in fixing that, and making sure that a very limited number of players could reach that unfortunate limit.
RPS: So, with Assassin's Creed III, and other forthcoming releases, we're going to see a one-time activation, and there won't be limits on that activation. Is that correct?
Perotti: It's correct. And then you'll be able to play offline on PC. Whenever you want to reach any online service, multiplayer, you will have to be connected, and obviously for online games you will also need to be online to play. But if you want to enjoy Assassin's Creed III single player, you will be able to do that without being connected. And you will be able to activate the game on as many machines as you want.
RPS: It's been pretty routine over the last few years for Ubisoft to announce the PC release to be the same as the console release dates, and then with as little as a week before release to announce a significant delay. Can you explain why that's happened, and will that continue to happen?
Perotti: We need to improve our communication, and make sure we provide better visibility to the PC community on our release dates for PC. We are really working hard to make sure that each game is really tailored for each platform, and sometimes unfortunately we need more time for some platforms. And that has been the case on PC - we're committed to continue to improve on that front and continue to release PC games as close as possible to console releases. We know we haven't always been clear and consistent on that front. This year you will be able to enjoy Far Cry 3 at the same time as the console version. Assassin's Creed III, which is a huge game, is coming just a few weeks after the console version, while in the past it was - what - months after. So we're really focusing on making sure that at the same time we provide a really good PC experience, and really as close as possible to the other versions.
RPS: Do you know what percentage of your sales are on PC? I know Activision have said things like Call Of Duty sell 5% on PC, do you know if it's similar numbers for you guys?
Burk: We don't break it down specifically game by game. Before our last financial statement I want to say that PC sales - I think it was right around 10%. [Burk got back to us soon after the interview to say that in the last full fiscal year PCs made up 7% of revenue, and in the last quarter it's been 12%.]
RPS: That's a significant proportion of your sales, but obviously 90% is on console. Would you say console is still a priority?
Perotti: I think all platforms are important. We're also trying to adapt to each of these platforms. What we've been announcing at Gamescom for instance, is a large portfolio of varied online PC games, games that are exclusively designed for the PC. [This shows] that we are really committing to that platform. We're working hard to find the right approach, the right games, the right genres, the right model, for each of the platforms.
RPS: Can you see that from our perspective, that we've been asking for some proof, some evidence, that DRM is effective at preventing piracy, or increases sales, or anything like that, and we've never seen any. And now as the publisher that's always gone the furthest with this, you're backing right off. Do you think it's a fair conclusion to say that more extreme DRM has been a failure?
Perotti: We've heard you. We've heard customers. We want to find a balanced way to protect our IPs and our games, and at the same time trade off frustrations or issues for PC gamers, and improve the policies of our games and services. But I guess the answer is, we're still discussing it.
RPS: These changes sound like exactly what we've been petitioning for for a long time. So does Ubisoft have any regrets about what it's done in the past.
Perotti: Again I would just say that we listened to feedback, we adapt, we will continue to listen and adapt, and hopefully we will continue to prove to the PC gaming community that we listen.
RPS: Thank you for your time.


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Film Permits
Film Permits
To perform any filming activity on an ADOT roadway, including the right of way or any ADOT property, a film permit is required. Permission from the local jurisdiction where the filming is to take place (county, city, tribal authority, etc.) is also required, and it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the permissions are acquired prior to filming.
The Statewide Permits Services office works with the local ADOT district permit office to issue the ADOT film permit. Any questions concerning the requirements for these activities can be answered by contacting Susan Austin by email or at 602.712.4142.
The following minimum information is required when requesting a film permit:
Please provide your application and certificate of insurance at least 10 days prior to filming. In some instances, multiple ADOT sections must review the request to ensure the proper requirements are met by the applicant.
If you plan to impede traffic in anyway, a Traffic Control Plan is also required. Please note that if traffic is to be impeded in a high-traffic area or in a remote area where there are limited alternate routes, additional advance signage may be required at the applicant's expense. Please request your permit well in advance to allow all situations to be addressed.


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Anda Philippinite A+++ 21,2g
€633,00 Regular Price
€360,81Sale Price
- A quality - prime specimens in terms of ornamentation, color and shape.
- B quality - very beautiful specimens (may come with minor bruises and chips).
- C quality - specimens with basic ornamentation, color and shape or bigger chips.
- Value: €633,00
- Quantity:21,2 g
- Quality: A+++
- Dimension: 3,9cm x 2,2cm


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Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Funnyman Jim Carrey Lists Malibu Colony Crib
LOCATION: Malibu, CA
SIZE: 2,866 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms
YOUR MAMAS NOTES: For almost a year Canadian-born comedian Jim Carrey has been a hot topic in all the property gossip columns and (celebrity) real estate oriented blogs from Brooklyn to Malibu. Not only has the L.A.-based Golden Globe winner been repeatedly spotted checking out a-lister digs in New York City, he's just put his ocean front beach house inside the 24-hour guarded gates of Malibu Colony in Malibu, CA on the market with an asking price of $13,950,000.
This isn't, as it turns out, Mister Carrey's first turn on the bucking bronco at this particular real estate rodeo. The folks at Redfin show Mister Carrey first (an unsuccessfully) attempted to unload he seaside bedsit between June and December 2011 when it was listed, de-listed and re-listed a couple of times at a couple of prices.
Always on (and sometimes annoying) Mister Carrey has mucked around Hollywood since the early 1980s but it wasn't until he was cast as the elastic-faced white guy on the sketch comedy program In Living Color in 1990 that he really started up his ladder of fame of fortune. A lot of really stupid but often high-grossing comedies followed including (but far from limited to) Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, Dumb & Dumber and The Cable Guy, an horrific cinematic turd that reportedly earned him a gasp-inducing $20,000,000 paycheck.
Mister Carrey wisely shifted gears in the late 1990s with less hokey-jokey roles in The Truman Show and Man on the Moon. Since the turn of the 21st century Mister Carrey has careened from low-brow comedies like Bruce Almighty, Yes Man and Mister Popper's Penguins to more artsy and (arguably) dignified ditties like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events and I Love You Phillip Morris.
Property records and the long-legged blond at Trulia Luxe Living both reveal Mister Carrey scooped up his ocean front crib in Malibu Colony in October 2002 for $9,750,000.
Current listing information puts the house at a fairly modest (and small-sounding) 2,866 square feet with a total of 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms that include a staff suite and second floor master suite with head-on ocean view, fireplace flanked by custom-fitted cabinetry, a built-in flat screen screen tee-vee, private pooper, walk-in closet and direct access to a glass-railed terrace perfect for star-gazing and post-coital smoking.
A narrow walkway runs alongside the attached two-car garage to the front door that opens into a tile-floored, open-plan main living area and floating staircase embellished some of the most upsetting artwork—or "artwork"—on which Your Mama has ever had the displeasure to lay our boozy eyes. We well understand that beauty (and art) is deeply personal and held in the eye of the beholder but the gnarled and twisted, multi-colored driftwood hoozymagoozy affixed to the staircase gives Your Mama and The Dr. Cooter both a bone-chilling case of the willies and the sponge-painted banister is, well, unspeakable as are the pair of "paintings" on the towering wall of frosted glass behind the staircase.
The open plan main living space includes a living room with fireplace, built-in wood cabinets and a flat screen tee-vee with a truly gawd awful sponge-painted frame; a dining room with built-in storage buffet and frosted windows along one wall; a well-equipped kitchen with flat-fronted maple (or maybe birch) cabinetry that extend clear to the ceiling, speckled (and dated-looking) granite counter tops, a Suburu-sized center island with snack counter, and a slew of high-grade stainless steel appliances.
A built-in wet bar separates the living/dining/kitchen space from the kind of wee, window-wrapped family room that spills out through floor-to-ceiling glass sliders to a good-sized deck—with planks laid at a 45-degree angle to the house—that accommodates an outdoor dining area, surfboard storage racks, built-in barbecue center and elevated sunbathing and ocean-watching platform. Listing information indicates the deck has removable privacy walls for when Mister Carry and his guests want to run around nekkid on the deck without being seen by any people or paps who might be strolling and trolling along the thin strip of sand between the house and the surf. A third floor roof terrace is outfitted with more sun bathing loungers, an above ground spa tub and—according to listing information—mood lighting.
Malibu Colony has a long and storied history of wealthy and/or high-profile property owners who include (but are far from limited to) Barbara Stanwyk, Gloria Swanson, Jackie Collins, Linda Ronstadt and Jane Leeves. Tom Hanks owns two houses, one on the water and one directly across the street. At some point in the past Sting and Trudie Styler leased their Malibu Colony residence to Leonardo DiCaprio who now owns his own 7 bedroom and 6 bathroom crib in the Colony recently put up for lease at $75,000 per month. Survivor producer and The Apprentice creator Mark Burnett and wife Roma Downey own a house in Malibu Colony as does spike-haired super-producer Brian Grazer who's had his three-story beach front digs on and off the market for years. British-born action flick stud Jason Statham recently bought in Malibu Colony and Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen recently sold. Peri Gilpin (Fraser, Hot in Cleveland) bought her land-side beach house two summers ago for $3,550,000 from Shabby Chic queen Rachel Ashwell and Tinseltown tart Pamela Anderson reportedly almost went broke remodeling her land-side house in Malibu Colony. Media mogul Jerry Perenchio owns—by our unscientific count—at least a dozen homes in Malibu Colony as well as the adjacent private golf course that sits behind tall walls between the exclusive enclave and the Pacific Coast Highway.
In addition to he Malibu residence, Mister Carrey has long owned an 8,028 square foot sprawler with guest house, swimming pool and tennis court in L.A.'s low-key but high-priced Brentwood area he bought, according to property records, in July 1994 for $3,800,000. In early 2000 he dropped another $1,700,000 on the 1.02 acre lot next door with separate (but connected) gated entrance, small parking area, meandering lawns and plaza-sized entertainment terrace.
Mister Carrey's nearby neighbors in Brentwood include night time chat show host Conan O'Brien, entertainment industry executive Marc Weinstock and tabloid-embattled movie star John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston.
As he thins his west coast property portfolio multiple reports reveal Mister Carrey would like to acquire a New York City pied-a-terre. Last year he leased a swank apartment at one of the star-studded, Richard Meier-designed green glass towers that lord over a lower section of the West Side Highway in the far West Village and he was said to be shopping for a downtown pad in the $5-8,000,000 range. More recently he's been spotted peeping at a titanic triplex penthouse in Brooklyn's Dumbo 'hood listed at $19,000,000 and a 7,000 (ish) square foot townhouse in the the the art gallery-filled Cheslea neighborhood with an asking price of $13,650,000.
listing photos: Sotheby's International Realty / Pacific Palisades
10 comments:
- Shopgirl said...
Nothing funny about this place. I love it!
- June 12, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Bland boring and austere, like his "comedy" is these days. I assume the price tag is because it is on the ocean because the house itself is worth maybe $550,000.
- June 12, 2012 at 12:38 PM
The Brentwood place has to be worth quite a sum. I never found him funny, and even less when he broke up with Jenny McCarthy.
- June 12, 2012 at 12:54 PM
He's always been the equivalent of a dog whistle to me -- a kind of funny I just cannot hear.
But sponge-painted accents in an oceanfront Malibu manse?
Really? - June 12, 2012 at 1:21 PM
He was reasonably funny in Dumb and Dumber but mainly because he could play off another actor. I never liked anything else of his that I saw. Way too bizarre.
- June 12, 2012 at 3:24 PM
I like Jim Carrey. My sentimental favorite is Ace Ventura: Pet Detective because I love pets, and I thought Jim was funny.
Love this beach house. Don't care too much for some of the decorations but so what? The bones on this place are spectacular and as for the view.... WOW! I could see myself having a nice relaxing get-together with friends on the weekends for a barbecue all summer long.
Can you imagine waking up to the beautiful sunrise every morning to this place? How about enjoying a nice drink while watching the sunset in the evening after a stressful day at work? This place is medicine for the soul.... sigh.
Thanks for post, Mama! - June 12, 2012 at 5:37 PM
I was moderately interested in the house until you mentioned a "long-legged blonde" at Trulia Luxe Living. Let's have some details on her (I assume it's a her, there are long-legged blonde guys, too). I'd still rather live on a bluff and have a nice view of the ocean rather than live right on the beach. But, over either, I'd take the Taylor place up Mandeville Canyon with a long-legged blonde for company. (*wonders what is wrong with that place that it doesn't sell*)
Candy, you could stop by but, don't expect an invite to dinner. - June 12, 2012 at 7:32 PM
- June 12, 2012 at 10:29 PM
- ExcitingLA said...
love the property; love the views even more! this is a great property. some of the decor isn't really my cup of tea...but as CarlaInCalifornia so eloquently put it "who cares". decor easy to change. crappy property - not so much. this property gets an A in my book!
- June 14, 2012 at 10:04 AM
- Boulder Homes said...
The price of the place is not funny too, but because it is near on the beach it is undoubtedly cool. I love you Peter Morris!!! ^_^
- June 26, 2012 at 7:22 PM


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Best way to Shave Back
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A lot of women think using a men's razor is more effective, so we tested the market leaders. The three-blade Gillette Mach3 disposable finished in last place, while the refillable three-blade Gillette Mach3 Turbo did just as well as the top women's razors.


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