text:
Submitted By Firm:
Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC
Louis P. DiLorenzo, Thomas G. Eron
Date Published:
Article Type:
Share This:
The New York Court of Appeals, in Barenboim v. Starbucks Corp., recently clarified the types of employees who may participate in tip-pooling arrangements and the extent to which employers may exclude otherwise tip-eligible employees from participating in a tip pool under the New York Labor Law.
Under Starbucks' tip policy, baristas and shift supervisors share tips collected each week. Two separate lawsuits were filed in federal court against Starbucks, challenging the policy as it applied to certain categories of employees. In one case, baristas, who take and deliver orders, stock product, and clean tables, alleged that shift managers could not lawfully participate in the tip pool because their supervisory duties rendered them ineligible for tips. In the other case, a group of assistant managers argued that because they perform some customer service-related duties and lack "full" managerial authority, Starbucks improperly excluded them from the tip pool. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled in favor of Starbucks in both cases, and the plaintiffs in both cases appealed.
Noting that the cases raised novel questions of state law, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit certified two questions to the New York Court of Appeals, the state's highest court:
1. What factors determine whether an employee is an "agent" of his employer for purposes of N.Y. Labor Law Section 196-d and, thus, ineligible to receive distributions from an employer-mandated tip pool?
2. Does New York Labor Law permit an employer to exclude an otherwise eligible tip-earning employee under Section 196-d from receiving distributions from an employer-mandated tip pool?
The Court's Analysis of the Issues
Citing the New York State Department of Labor's January 2011 Hospitality Industry Wage Order, the Court held that employees are tip-eligible even if they have managerial responsibility as long as they provide personal service to customers as a principal part of their jobs, rather than just on an occasional or incidental basis. However, an employee who has "meaningful authority" or control over subordinates is ineligible to participate in a tip pool.
The Court explained that "meaningful authority might include the ability to discipline subordinates, assist in performance evaluations or participate in the process of hiring or terminating employees, as well as having input in the creation of employee work schedules, thereby directly influencing the number and timing of hours worked by staff as well as their compensation." The Court left it to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to apply those principles to the specific facts of the baristas' case.
With respect to the second issue, the Court concluded that Section 196-d of the New York Labor Law does not create an affirmative right for all tip-eligible employees to participate in tip-sharing arrangements. Although the Court stated that "there may be an outer limit to an employer's ability to excise certain classifications of employees from a tip pool," the Court found no evidence to suggest that Starbucks' policy, as applied to assistant managers, reached that limit.
Impact on Employers
The Court's decision provides some clarity regarding employees' eligibility to participate in tip pools. However, because the Court did not apply the "meaningful authority" standard to the facts of the baristas' case, the analysis remains somewhat unclear. Additionally, the Court did not identify which exclusions of tip-eligible employees might be considered unlawful. Accordingly, employers should consult with counsel before implementing tip-sharing arrangements.
To learn more, contact Diane M. Pietraszewski at (716) 566-2853 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Your free resource for obtaining labor and employment law information worldwide.
Altra Industrial Motion Inc. has multiple locations in the U.S., as well as Central America, Europe, and Asia. The Employment Law Alliance has proved to be a great asset in assisting us in dealing with employment issues and matters in such diverse venues as Mexico, Australia, and Spain. We have obtained excellent results using the ELA network for matters ranging from a multi-state review of employment policies to assisting with individual employment issues in a variety of foreign jurisdictions.
In one instance, we were faced with an employment dispute with a former associate in Mexico that had the potential for substantial economic exposure. The matter had been pending for over a year, and we were not confident in the employment advice we had been receiving. I obtained a referral to the ELA counsel in Mexico, who was able to obtain a favorable resolution of the dispute in only a few days. Based on our experiences with the ELA, we would not hesitate to use its many resources for future employment law needs.
In my career I have been a practicing attorney, counsel to the Governor of Maine, and CEO of a major public utility. I have worked with many lawyers in many settings. When the American University in Bulgaria needed help with employment litigation in federal court in Syracuse, New York, we turned to Pierce Atwood, the ELA member we knew and trusted in Maine, for a referral. We were extremely pleased with the responsiveness and high quality of service we received from Bond Schoeneck & King, the ELA's firm in upstate New York. I would not hesitate to recommend the ELA to any employer.
David T. Flanagan
Member of Board of Trustees
I really enjoyed the Conducting an Effective Internal Investigation in the United States webinar. We are in the midst of a rather delicate employee relations issue in California right now and the discussion helped me tremendously. It also reinforced things that you tend to forget if you don't do these investigations frequently. So, many, many thanks to the Employment Law Alliance for putting that webinar together. It was extremely beneficial.
Lynn Clayton
Vice President, Human Resources
I recently participated in the ELA-sponsored webinar on the Employee Free Choice Act. I was most impressed with that presentation. It was extremely helpful and very worthwhile. I have also been utilizing the ELA's online Global Employer Handbook. This compliance tool is absolutely terrific.
I am familiar with several other products that purport to provide up-to- date employment law information and I believe that this resource is superior to other similar compliance manuals. I am delighted that the ELA provides this free to its members' clients.
Employment Law Alliance (ELA) has provided Boyd Coffee Company with a highly valued connection to resources, important information and learning. With complex operations and employees working in approximately 20 states, we are continually striving to keep abreast of specific state laws, many of which vary from state to state. We have participated in the ELA web seminars and have found the content very useful. We appreciate the ease, cost effectiveness and quality of the content and presenters offered by these web seminars. The Global Employer Handbook has provided our company with a very helpful overview of legal issues in the various states in which we operate, and the network of attorneys has helped us manage issues that have arisen in states other than where our Roastery and corporate headquarters are located in Portland, Oregon.
As an international operating outsourcing and consulting supplier Capgemini has used firms of the Employment Law Alliance in Central Europe. We were always highly satisfied with the quality of employment law advice and the responsiveness. I can really recommend the ELA lawyers.
As an employment lawyer based in San Francisco, I work closely with high tech clients with operations around the globe. Last year, one of my clients needed to implement a workforce reduction in a dozen countries simultaneously. And they gave me 48 hours to accomplish this. I don't know how I could have pulled this off without the resources of the ELA. I don't know of any single law firm that could have made this happen. My client received all of the help they needed in a timely fashion and on a cost effective basis.
Stephen J. Hirschfeld
As the Vice President for Litigation & Associate General Counsel for my company, I need to ensure that we have a team of top-notch employment lawyers in place in every jurisdiction where we do business. And I want to be confident that those lawyers know our business so they don't have to reinvent the wheel when a new legal matter arises. With more than 3400 stores and 35,000 employees operating in all 50 U.S. states and across Canada, we rely on the ELA to partner with us to help accomplish our objectives. I have been delighted with the consistent high quality of the work performed by ELA lawyers. I encourage other in-house counsel to use their services, as well.
Ingram Micro is the world's largest technology distributor, providing sales, marketing, and logistics services for the IT industry around the globe. With over 13,000 employees working throughout the U.S. and in 35 international countries, we need employment lawyers who we can count on to ensure global legal compliance. Our experience with many multi-state and multi-national law firms is that their employment law services are not always a high priority for them, and many do not have experts in many of their offices. The ELA has assembled an excellent team of highly skilled employment lawyers, wherever and whenever I need them, and they have proven to be an invaluable resource to our company.
Our company, Konami Gaming, Inc., is growing rapidly in a very diverse and highly regulated industry. We are aggressively entering new markets outside the domestic U.S., including Canada and South America. I have had the recent opportunity to utilize the services provided by the ELA. The legal advice was both responsive and professional. Most of all, the entire process was seamless since our Nevada attorney coordinated the services and legal advice requested. I look forward to working with the ELA in the future, as it serves as a great resource to the legal community.
Jennifer Martinez
Vice President, Human Resources
Until recently, I was unaware of the ELA's existence. We have subsidiaries and affiliates throughout the United States, as well as in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. When a recent legal issue arose in Texas, our long-time Nevada counsel, who is a member of the ELA, suggested that this matter be handled by his ELA colleague in Dallas. We are very pleased with the quality and timeliness of services provided by that firm, and we are excited to now have the ELA as an important asset to help us address employment law issues worldwide.
The ELA network has been immensely important to our company in helping us address an array of human resources challenges around the world. I strongly encourage H.R. executives who have employees located in many different jurisdictions to utilize the ELA's unparalleled expertise and geographic coverage.
Stacy Murphy
Former Senior Director of Human Resources
As the General Counsel for a company with 6,500 employees operating across the U.S. and in eight countries, it is critical that I have top quality lawyers on the ground where we do business. The ELA is an indispensable resource. It has taken the guesswork out of finding the best employment counsel wherever we have a problem.
Jill K. Bond
Senior Vice President/General Counsel, Shared Services and Benefits
We have direct sales and service offices all over the U.S., but have not necessarily had the need in the past for assistance with legal work in every state where we have a business presence. From time to time, we suddenly find ourselves facing a legal issue in a state where we have no outside counsel relationship. It has been a real benefit to know that the ELA has assembled such an impressive team of experts throughout the U.S. and overseas.
A few years ago, we faced a very tough discrimination lawsuit in Mississippi. We had never had to retain a lawyer there before. I was absolutely delighted with the Mississippi ELA firm. We received an excellent result. They will no doubt handle all of our employment law matters in Mississippi in the future. I have also obtained the assistance of several other ELA firms around the U.S. and have received the same outstanding service. The ELA is a tremendous resource for our company.
Our affiliated companies have used the Employment Law Alliance in connection with numerous acquisitions, and have always been extremely pleased with our ability to obtain the highest quality legal advice on due diligence issues from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. We have found the Employment Law Alliance firms to be not only first rate with respect to their legal advice but also responsive and timely in assisting us with federal and state law issues critical to our due diligence efforts. We consider the Employment Law Alliance to be an important part of our team.
We have partnered with many ELA firms on the development and execution of case management strategies with very positive results. We have been very pleased with the legal advice and counsel provided by the law firms we have utilized who are affiliated with the Employment Law Alliance. The ELA firms we have worked with are customer focused, responsive, and thorough in their approach to handling labor and employment law matters.
Elizabeth Daly
Assistant General Counsel
Sanmina-SCI has facilities strategically located in key regions throughout the world. Our customers expect that we will provide them with the highest quality and most sophisticated services in the marketplace. We have that same expectation for the lawyers with whom we do business. With operations in 17 countries, we need to be certain that we have a team of lawyers working together to address our employment law needs worldwide. The ELA has delivered exactly what it promised-- seamless and consistent high quality services delivered in each locale around the globe. It has quickly become a key asset for our human resources department.
We own, manage, and franchise hotels throughout the U.S. and in more than 90 countries. With more than 145,000 employees worldwide, ensuring that we comply with the complex web of local labor and employment laws in every one of these jurisdictions is a daunting task. The Employment Law Alliance has served as an important resource for us and we have benefited greatly from its expertise and long reach. When a legal dispute or issue has arisen in some far-flung place, Employment Law Alliance lawyers have always provided responsive, practical, and cost-effective assistance.
Wilmington Trust has used the ELA to locate firms in California, Washington State, Georgia, and Europe. Our experience with the ELA lawyers with whom we have worked has always been one of complete satisfaction and prompt, practical advice.
Michael A. DiGregorio
General Counsel
©2019 Employment Law Alliance. All Rights Reserved.


text:
What do you do when your neighbor's house catches on fire? You can blame your neighbor; perhaps he drinks and smokes late at night, and his high risk life style finally caught up with him. But if the wind is blowing, the fire will spread. That's why we have fire departments. To put out even the fires brought on by negligence, in order to keep them from spreading across a neighborhood.
Today, the fire has started in the collapsing housing market, and the wind is blowing. The housing bubble has collapsed. New houses are standing empty. Old houses aren't selling. Foreclosures are skyrocketing and more and more families who took on subprime, adjustable rate mortgages are in trouble. Economist Dean Baker estimates that in returning to the norm, housing construction will decline by 30 percent or so from its peak, and housing sales by 30-40 percent. Two million jobs are at risk in the housing and sales industry alone.
That's not all. Families took $600 billion in value out of their houses last year in home equity loans or re-mortgaging, often to help make ends meet. That fueled the consumption-led growth we've witnessed over recent years, as savings levels were negative for the first time since the beginning of the Great Depression. Now with home values plunging, hard-pressed families are tightening their belts, and turning to credit card debt as food and energy prices continue to soar. As consumers cut back, the entire economy is at risk.
At the root of this crisis is the deregulated financial system. Instead of neighborhood banks, national lending companies peddle adjustable mortgages with hidden fees to borrowers, often with little or no check on their ability to pay. The lenders immediately sell the mortgages to other investors that slice and dice them in parts, repackage them and sell them to other investors, earning high fees in the process. That makes it harder to work out a deal for homeowners in trouble because the loan has been divided up so much. Worse, the national company has no real stake in any one neighborhood, and can earn fees on the foreclosure process. Not surprisingly, workouts in the current crisis have been hard to come by.
The result is that the fire now threatens responsible homeowners. When a family is forced to default, the house stands empty. Boarded windows are an invitation to mischief and drug dealers. Foreclosed homes drive down the value of neighboring homes. The contagion spreads.
Should we help those in trouble? Many took on more debt than they could afford. They gambled that housing prices would continue to rise, but they lost. They are lying in the bed that they made.
Two problems with that conclusion. One is that the lenders were equally, if not more, irresponsible. They abandoned responsible lending principles, often misleading families about the hidden costs and the skyrocketing payments.
More important, the innocent as well as the irresponsible are at risk. Entire neighborhoods are devastated and if the conflagration spreads, we may all get burned.
What can be done? Why not work out the mortgages for as many lenders in trouble as possible. At the very least, Congress could give bankruptcy courts the right to renegotiate mortgages. That would give the lenders an incentive to work out mortgages with borrowers before bankruptcy. Congress also should empower Fannie Mae to assume mortgages, with workouts that hold the lenders responsible too.
One thing is clear. It's time for the fire department to arrive before we all get burned.
Jesse Jackson is a longtime civil rights activist and founder of the RainbowPUSH Coalition.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The opening leg of the 2013 Amway Canadian Championship semifinal stage kicks off on Wednesday April 24 in Toronto, ON and Edmonton, AB. The four Canadian professional clubs, Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, FC Edmonton and Impact Montréal, will battle it out for the right to represent Canada in the 2013-2014 CONCACAF Champions League.
The Amway Canadian Championship will again this year feature six matches over four Wednesday nights, with the semifinal series on April 24 and May 1, and the championship final series on May 15 and 29.
As part of a new three-year agreement between the Canadian Soccer Association and Sportsnet for the Amway Canadian Championship, all 2013 matches will be broadcast live on Sportsnet. In addition, the 24 April and 1 May matches featuring Impact Montréal will be broadcast on TVA Sports.
In addition to the Championship website at canadasoccer.com/championship that will provide updated information throughout the competition, fans can also follow via Canada Soccer's platforms (Twitter @CanadaSoccerEN,facebook.com/canadasoccer, YouTube/CanadaSoccerTV and flickr.com/canadasoccer) as well as the four clubs various media.
On one side of the semifinal stage, four-time defending champion Toronto FC will host Impact Montréal, the one other national winner in the Championship's short history (2008), in a repeat of last year's Eastern semifinal. Leg one of this semifinal will be played at BMO Field on April 24 (kickoff at 4:30 p.m. PT on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific). The two clubs will resume their semifinal in Montreal on May 1 (kickoff at 4:45 p.m. PT).
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will once again this year travel to FC Edmonton, the lone NASL club in this year's Championship, for the other semifinal. The first leg of their semifinal will be held on April 24 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, AB with a 6:.45 p.m. PT kickoff (broadcast starting at 6:30 p.m. PT on Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific). The two clubs will meet again in Vancouver on May 1 (kickoff at 7:15 p.m. PT) in the second leg of their semifinal.
The home-and-away Championship final will be played on May 15 and 29.
1st Leg on April 24, 2013
Montréal Impact at Toronto FC – BMO Field, Toronto, ON – 4:30 p.m. PT) - Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific; TVA Sports
Vancouver Whitecaps FC at FC Edmonton – Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB – 6:30 p.m. PT) - Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific
2nd Leg on May 1, 2013
Toronto FC at Montréal Impact – Stade Saputo, Montréal, QC – 4:30 p.m. PT) - Sportsnet One; TVA Sports
FC Edmonton at Vancouver Whitecaps FC – BC Place, Vancouver, BC – 7 p.m. PT) - Sportsnet One
1st Leg on May 15, 2013
2nd Leg on May 29, 2013


text:
Carpets & Candids: Ellen in comfortable white
I've not talked yet to Sasha today but I know she'd be all over this dress. It's totally her steeze with the 3 quarter sleeve, the loose but still flattering fit, a great belt to give some shape, and far from super fussy. It would work on Sasha too with her cute, dainty little shoulders. Great look, non? It's Lanvin.Photos:


text:
As a way to end the summer session, Samin and I combined our classes together to discuss the friendships we've made at TYO. We began by playing a video story of the popular and beloved book, The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein. As the video played, we stopped periodically for translation from our translators Yazid and Refiq. Samin and I were amazed at how much the children enjoyed the story!
Afterward, we led a discussion about the story and its meaning. One student said, "the boy kept using the tree until it was naked". Another said that a friendship shouldn't be like that. Instead, it should be about equal giving and taking from both sides. Samin and I were so impressed by how engaged the children were throughout the story and what conclusions they were able to draw from it.
We asked if anyone had made a new friend this session and they all raised their hands "Ah! Ah!". They had made friends from other neighborhoods and refugee camps. To remember the new friends we made, all of our students made friendship bracelets to exchange with one another. And the next day at the pool, we spotted all of our students still wearing their friendship bracelets, showing us with pride.
As our last days are coming to an end, I had a chance to think about all of the friends I have made during my time here as an intern. Women like Jenan, Lina, Hanin, and Raja, students like Layal, Safa, Qais, and Maha, and volunteers like Doha, Zaki, and Yazid and Tamam. I've also made friends at Hajjawi, Cinema City, and the juice shop, some of our favorite places in Nablus. The greatest gift I received during my time here is the opportunity to call these Palestinians my friends.
Tala is a summer intern at TYO Nablus.
Filed under: intern journal, internship program, Reflection, TYO impact | Tagged: early childhood education, friends, intern abroad, nablus, Palestine, TYO, TYO impact | Leave a comment »


text:
Obviously's Classic collection is just that – a classic style and look, with only slight contouring in the front. The Classic pouch provides support that's closest to the body, and out of all of Obviously's different pouch styles, it has the most minimal amount of contouring. The front panel is also double-lined with double stitching for optimal support. With a 9-in. inseam that covers most of the thigh, Obviously's Classic 9-in. Boxer Briefs are geared toward protecting your skin from irritation and keeping you comfortable during a workout.
The fabric for these underwear -- bamboo rayon -- feels as soft as cashmere but is lightweight and stretchy to provide additional comfort without losing its shape. Bamboo rayon is designed to keep your body cool and feeling fresh.
90% Rayon from Bamboo, 10% Lycra Spandex.
Cold Gentle Machine Wash, No Bleach, Low Tumble Dry, Cool Iron, No Dry Cleaning.
|28-30 in 71-76 cm
|32-34 in 81-86 cm
|36-38 in 91-97 cm
|Extra Large
|40-42 in 102-107 cm


text:
and Now: Mercer County Historical Society Cookbook
A Regional Cookbook of Ethnic, Handed-Down and Modern-Day Recipes
Mercer County Historical Society Cookbook Committee, Beulah, North Dakota, 1994, 344 pages, Softcover.
Reprinted with permission in October, 2002 by Germans from Russia Heritage Collection, North Dakota State University Libraries, Fargo, ND.
The Germans from Russia Heritage Collection is pleased to provide this well organized and comprehensive cookbook prepared by the Mercer County Historical Society Cookbook Committee. Mercer County, in northwestern North Dakota was settled by Germans from Russia who immigrated from villages of South Russia (today near Odessa, Ukraine and Crimea, Ukraine).
Of special interest is the extensive cookbook section of ethnic recipes including: Borscht soup, dill soup, Ein Lauf soup (egg drop), Knoepfla soup, Rivella soup, dumplings, Fleisch Kuechla, Schnitz Kuechla, German meatballs, hot German potato salad, Kuchen, Kraut Biruch (biscuits), Bubba Spretschel (potato dumplings), Kase Knoepfla (cottage cheese buttons), Plachinda, pumpkin turnovers, Strudla, German potatoes and cabbage, stirrum, Lebkuchen, German pancakes, Zwieback (sweet bread toast), beet wine, Easter bread, bean soup, red eye, homemade noodles, homemade soap, summer sausage, and Russian apricot sauce.
The cookbook provides a detailed index for: appetizers and dips, beverages, breads, bars, cookies and candy, cakes and frostings, desserts, pies and ice creams; casseroles; meat, fish and poultry; soups and stews; salads and vegetables; ethnic; handed-down; canning, freezing and preserves; and miscellaneous.
Then and Now: Mercer County Historical Society Cookbook
$25.00 plus Shipping & Handling


text:
Sniper - Around The World (feat. Memphis Bleek)
Video for Sniper "Around The World" featuring Memphis Bleek" off of The Scope's On You Volume 2 available now.
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
Click here to be directed to a Bing map of this travel itinerary's sites to get directions including street addresses and coordinates.
To print a map of a specific village, please click on the village
name below and print that page.
South Amana | West
Amana | High Amana | Middle
Amana | Amana | Homestead
| Main Map
The Amana Colonies also include a seventh village, East Amana, located
north of Amana, however there are no East Amana historic properties
featured in this itinerary.
If you do not already have Flash installed on your
computer, you will need to
download it to view these maps. Alternately, use the List
of Sites to discover this itinerary's historic places.
Colonies Home | Map
| List of Sites |
Learn More | Itineraries | NR
Comments or Questions


text:
Shipping to: Hrvatska
Coloured Khôl pencil for inside the eyelid.
Its special texture, soft and ultra-smooth, is ideal for highlighting your look with an immediate-coverage, long lasting line.
Thanks to the concentration of pigments, Colour Kajal gives extraordinarily intense, shiny and even colour.
The gliding but compact lead ensures easy yet precise application at the same time.
Available in 14 bright shades.
Ophthalmologically tested.
Apply along the inside rim of the eyelid, before making up the eye.
For an even more intense look, outline the outer contour, tracing a line along the lower lashes.
The cost varies depending on the delivery service and the destination country of the order. For more details see the "Delivery information and costs" page.
More information
Shipping times may vary depending on the service chosen. In the countries served by Swiss Post (Asendia) only, delivery takes an average of 6-7 working days (up to a maximum of 10) from the order being dispatched. In countries where the UPS service is also available, the shipping time is 2-4 days after being dispatched by courier. More information
Purchases made on KIKO are secure and guaranteed. All information relating to payments, including personal information and credit card information, is protected through an advanced encrypted data transmission system. Under no circumstances will KIKO file your credit card number, nor will it use or keep the information you provided on its own systems.
You have 14 business days from the date you receive the items in which to exercise your right to return the goods. Please let Customer Service know about any problems relating to the goods received.
To use a promotional code, select "Have you got a promotional code?" on the shopping cart page and insert the characters indicated in the appropriate field. If your code is inserted correctly, the amount and/or content of the Shopping Cart will be recalculated based on the promotion applied.
Khôl pencil for inside the eyelid
Professional steel eyelash curler
A package of 20 wet wipes that both exfoliate and refresh the face
Love it!
Bon produit


text:
For some, buying new music making gear is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. For the inexperienced, though, it can be a stressful experience. There's so much choice, and, depending on your skill level, buying the wrong gear could seriously stunt your progression.
To make it easier, we've put together a buyers' guide, which includes our top product picks and essential buying tips. Here's how to buy a beginner drum kit…
5 buying tips
1. Look for five-piece, full-sized kit, most probably made in China. Many are virtually identical, just bearing the different names of the various importers/retailers. Based originally on the first Pearl Export of 1983, some still have the original Pearlstyle double tom holder and oblong lugs, others have modern oval or small square lugs.
2. The number of tuning lugs on each drum is crucial. For accuracy and evenness of tuning, bass drums, snare drums and floor toms should ideally have eight per side rather than six, and small toms fi ve or six rather than four or five.
3. Shells are usually nine-ply Philippines mahogany or similar. Premier-Olympic has thinner, more resonant six-ply shells. Remo budget heads are preferable. Matching wood snare drums look good but are not necessarily better sounding than steel.
4. Kits arrive unassembled with a set-up instruction pamphlet. You have to put the heads on the drums and tune them. This is fairly straightforward, but it's worth buying from a good dealer who will give you sound advice.
5. Packages should include everything to get you started: stool, sticks, snare and hi-hat stands, bass drum pedal and at least one cymbal stand. Also basic 16" cymbal and 14" hi-hats. Cannon offers an extra 18" cymbal.
5 beginner drum kits under £350
1. Cannon Adder kit£199
Astonishingly generous package, the only kit with 14" hats, 16" and 18" cymbals, plus two double-braced cymbal stands and full professional lug count. In addition to that, there's a complete set of carrying bags and drum/cymbal mute pads. Finally, you have cool finishes in black, chrome, red and even Bumblebee Yellow, all with black metal fittings.
Read the full review
2. Premier Olympic kit£319
Premier resurrects its historic Olympic budget marque, distinguished by unique lug design, class leading and lightweight six-ply 6-mm basswood/poplar shells which deliver a punchier, more resonant sound. Matching 6½" wood snare and just two wraps - wine red and black, fusion or rock formats. Slightly dearer, but there is that Premier-Olympic badge…
3. Performance Percussion PP300 kit £299
Bestseller from long-established British distributor J H Skewes, now includes Remo heads and deep 6½" metal snare. Second only to Cannon on lug count (with six on the floor tom instead of eight). Modern image with neat, small oval lugs, plus sturdy hardware including double-braced stool and calibrated bass drum spurs.
Read the full review
4. Arbiter CB kit£299
Strong-selling fi ve-piece kit available in Rock or Fusion sizes, which include a matching wood shell snare and budget Remo heads. Standard nine-ply Philippines mahogany shells, Pearl Export-derived double tom mount and squared lugs. Unfortunately the kit falls down slightly on the lug count, with six on the snare (rather than the recommended eight).
5. Leedy NRG £299
Similar to the PP300 with the same slightly glittery wraps and small, oval lugs, but with a 5½" wood shell snare rather than a 6½". The quality hardware package includes double-braced stands with attractive curved section housings and solid memory locks which notch into the housings. The hi-hat clutch has a smart nonslip rubber clamp.
Read the full review


text:
At this moment in time, the results of the "writing and self-publishing" poll look like this:
83% of the readers on this site are interested in writing and maybe self-publishing those writings. I have also fielded a number of questions via email regarding the ins and outs of indie publishing as well as the ins and outs of the supporting indie infrastructure: indie editing, for example, as well as being an indie artist for indie writers.
I've been on both sides of the indie fence: I'm an indie author and I'm a reviewer of indie literature in general as well as of indie writings in the yearly Amazon ABNA contest. I have strong feelings about what works and what doesn't work and -- according to the people in my inbox -- at least some of you would like to hear those strong feelings. To that end, I'm putting together a series of blog posts that I will eventually compile into a book for portable consumption.
But first! Some ground rules. Indie publishing is not without its detractors. There are traditional authors, editors, and publishers out there who find the whole thing to be nothing more than vanity press; there are readers who think the results of indie publishing is an ocean of slurry bogging down the stores in slush and making the good titles hard to find. I have spoken with people who genuinely feel this way; I respect their point of view.
However, these posts are not about those points of view, and these posts are not an invitation to argue the merits of Indie vs. Traditional publishing every time I put up a post. I am declaring that line of discussion off-limits right now because I do not have the spoons for it. If all this reads to you like the Chronically Foolish leading the Chronically Foolish, by all means keep it to yourself and go back to the Twilight posts, please. All comments on these posts will please be as close to the stated topic as possible.
Second, I will be cross-posting most of these posts to my Professional Blog because it's topical to the content there. Feel free to post there as well as here; basically, post questions and comments wherever you feel most comfortable.
Third, while I will be posting a tentative outline here, the blog posts that comprise the book will be completely out of order because they're largely stand-alone pieces.
With that out of the way, here is the tentative outline for the topics I intend to eventually cover:
1. Opening
....and with that out of the way, I'll also post my little book/blog series Introduction. Feel free to suggest missed areas in the comments.
In 2011, I decided to realize a dream that I'd always had: to write and publish my very own book.
The timing was right, both personally and professionally. I'd experienced a serious setback in my personal life and I needed something to concentrate on to help me deal with my grief. Equally importantly, the market was ready for me to realize my dream — the rise of easy online self-publishing was making it easier than ever to write and publish a book. I wouldn't have to deal with the stress and waiting and anxiety of agents and publishers and rejection letters; I could write the novel inside me and set it loose on the world the moment I felt it was ready. And so I did.
I'm not the most successful indie author out there — in fact, I only have one book published so far. So I was more than a little surprised when several friends, both online and in face-space, started encouraging me to write a "how-to" guide for online self-publishing. Who am I, I wondered, to give people advice on all this?
But as it turns out, I do have some skills that suit me for the creation of such a guide. I love writing user manuals — so much so that I write technical user manuals as part of my day job. I enjoy taking copious notes and condensing them into clear, concise explanations for others. And this enjoyment of condensing useful information has coupled with my absolute passion for reading to produce a hobbyist reviewing career of over 1,000 product reviews on Amazon.com and the label of "Amazon Top 100 Reviewer".
More importantly, I am an absolutely fanatical consumer of eReaders and eBook technology. My day job as a software engineer has given me the means and the background to understand a lot of the nuances of eBook coding and format conversions. And my passion for electronic reading has left me owning (as of writing) seven dedicated eReaders, as well as a phone and two computers set up with constant access to my electronic library of over 2,000 eBooks.
In this guide, I have tried to combine my experiences as a first-time indie author with my technical understanding of the tools involved and my history as a dedicated reader and reviewer to create a reference for other would-be indie authors out there. My goal is to be clear and concise, while conveying the important fact that you can publish your own novel without losing your shirt or your senses.
This guide will cover the following sections:
- Branding. Advice on how to create an online persona and grow an audience in advance.
- Drafting. Advice on how to craft your novel, your cover, your pitch, and your copyright.
- Editing. Advice on how to revise your novel, where to solicit feedback, and how to format for publishing.
- Distributing. Advice on how and where to upload your novel for distribution.
- Indie Infrastructure. Advice for people interested in making money supporting indie authors.


text:
Two hundred years ago, when our founders declared independence from Earth, this station was their only stronghold against the dangers of Neo-Earth. But today the only people who visit are historians and exo-anthropologists.
This illustration was created in Photoshop by Montreal concept artist Nivanh Chanthara. He works at Eidos, and you can see more of his work in his portfolio.


text:
One Trick Pony from COMP Cams
We've seen plenty of Mustangs here at PHR, and we've seen several companies build cool cars as rolling examples of what they're all about, too. When we got the call about this particular car going together for COMP Cams, we wanted to hear more. It wasn't a shoe-in for a feature, since we like our Mustang coverage to focus on either the finest or fastest of the breed. What we found was both. After COMP completed their awesome SB2-urged '69 Camaro convertible project about three years ago, they mentioned to us how they'd like to have a Ford product to accompany it. They wanted it to also share a '69 vintage, and they preferred it be a droptop. Like the Camaro, it should represent the cutting edge of style and function (with a powerplant guaranteed to impress) while showcasing COMP's engineering talents. While we expected to find a newly built Mustang, what we actually found was a new way to build a Mustang.
The results met all expectations, as a NASCAR-based Robert Yates Ford engine was teamed with a Richmond six-speed transmission to provide insane power. The suspension was treated to many modern amenities and adjustment points to expand upon the traction capability over the factory offerings. Team this hardcore engineering flavor with a street rod-quality buildup, let Tim and Carrie Strange finish off the interior, and you've got yourself quite a car.
The Stablemate took advantage of the aftermarket in a big way and even wears some prototype parts that should be available to the general public by the time you're reading this. Like any handbuilt hot rod, there are also some parts that are one-off, custom-made goodies for this particular car. Taming a Yates NASCAR engine to run comfortably on pump gas and live in a street environment presented some unique challenges, so unique parts were required.
It's obvious the powerplant really got us fired up, so let's begin telling this tale by peeking underhood. This engine served Dale Jarrett's #88 Ford as both a qualifying and race day powerplant over its professional life. The cylinder heads, block, crank, and rods are all NASCAR spec. The engine's transformation to life on the street involved a new camshaft profile (from a solid, flat-tappet profile to one of COMP's Endure-X solid roller street setups with matching springs), lower-compression pistons (to bring the squeeze from a track-ready 12.0:1 to a street-sane 10:1), and the addition of EFI (all Wilson goodies, from the modified intake to the throttle body and fuel rails). After this de-tuning session, the engine still managed to crank out 665 hp (at 7,800 rpm) and 513 lb-ft of torque (at 6,400 rpm). The belt-driven dry-sump oil system is still in place and functional, which is admittedly over the top for a street-based car. But, since the engine was received by COMP with all the dry-sump mods in place already, it was actually easier for them to keep it functional rather than make modifications to allow for a traditional wet sump. The oil tank was mounted ahead of the right wheel, and a service door was added to the custom-bent sheetmetal of the inner fenderwell.
Mustang traditionalists are surely scratching their heads wondering where all this room was found. Early Mustangs weren't noted for their huge front wheelwells, and with an oversized wheel and tire under it, there shouldn't be enough space under this car to fit an oil tank. If the front suspension had remained the way Ford intended it, there wouldn't be.
COMP knew this car needed to handle, and they knew there'd be a need for adjustable ride height and freedom to create. The answer was to design and build a complete front chassis for the car and eliminate the factory shock towers. By switching to a traditional double-A-arm front suspension, COMP could gain valuable underhood real estate and incorporate proven suspension and brake components into a more compact package. Atlanta Street Rods took on the task, and it's their workmanship we're seeing.
The wheels and tires have plenty of room to turn, the steering was upgraded to a rack-and-pinion setup, and there's plenty of space for accessories, like the oil tank. Plug access is excellent, and the overall effect is one of greater convenience for maintenance and a smoother, cleaner appearance. A pair of PRO adjustable coilover shocks now works with tubular Mustang II independent arms to support the front end.
The rear suspension may be more familiar to Mustang fans. Based on factory suspension points, the 9-inch, Currie-built rear axle (armed with 3.42:1 gears) is located by a three-link setup. Another pair of adjustable PRO coilover shocks work in concert with the leaf springs, but these particular springs are custom-made with an additional leaf to stiffen the suspension. There was still enough space under the car to fit fat rubber at all four corners, and BFG's g-Force TA tires were selected in 275/40-18 (rear) and 265/40-17 (front) to fill the wheelwells. The car's final stance has yet to be reached, as it still sat a little high for COMP's taste as seen in these shots. This is due to the custom-made exhaust system hanging a bit lower than expected, specifically the driver's-side header flange. COMP is confident a tighter-fitting part can be made now that the car is in one piece, and the desired lower stance will follow after these mods are made. The adjustable coilover shocks make ride height adjustments fairly simple.
Nailing the look COMP was after meant extensive homework would be required to research the right size, style, and backspacing for the wheels. Since the rolling stock defines the ride, COMP opted for Billet Specialties Legacy wheels. This particular wheel infuses a blend of traditional big-window, five-spoke competition style with modern engineering and manufacturing, resulting in a wide range of sizes to fit most applications. The Stablemate is no exception, checking in with 18x8s on the rear with 4-inch backspacing and 17x7s for the front with 3.5 inches of backspace. Filling the wheels are Baer Racing stoppers featuring 13-inch rotors and four-piston calipers on all four corners. Stopping this car will not be a challenge for these outstanding parts.
The car was actually assembled using parts from two donor cars, a vast array of body panels, and parts from National Parts Depot, including the prototype fiberglass cowl scoop. While this hood may be available now, it was this car that prompted its creation. We like the look, as it incorporates the cowl look made popular by late-model 5.0 racers, yet it blends seamlessly with the traditional lines of the Mustang. This should become a very popular part. The Shelby rear spoiler and a factory Mach I front spoiler fill the need for aerodynamic flavor but do so with conservative appeal.
With the custom chassis work accomplished, the body remounted and straight, the racy powertrain developed, and the custom work underhood complete, the car was finally ready for paint and interior finishing. While the crew at Atlanta Street Rods painted the car, Tim and Carrie Strange of Strange Motion completed the interior. Based on simple needs and a desire for comfort, the results speak volumes and don't overshadow the car. We've seen several new cars being built with mini-truck-style wild interior treatments, but we prefer the understated elegance of Strange's work. The custom console and dash full of Auto Meter gauges lets enthusiasts know what this car was built for: driving! It begs for a spirited run at high speed with the top down and the Yates powerplant singing.
It's not a project that happened quickly or without careful planning. It's one of the more interesting new cars we've seen come together, since it is an early Mustang, but is also a rather unusual '69 convertible. We just haven't seen too many of these rebuilt for street machine duty, and certainly not to this level of excellence. What could be next?
We're not geniuses, but after seeing COMP develop and assemble some of the finest Chevy and Ford convertibles from the musclecar era, we'd venture a guess that a Mopar may be in the future for the cutting-edge cam company. The Chevy is complete, and the Mopar may be in the future, but for now we ask you look over this Ford. We feel COMP's Chris Brown and Jay Adams did a wonderful job in conceiving this car, and we've got to give credit to the crew at Atlanta Street Rods for assembling this righteous red ragtop.


text:
Dental Services Offered
About Us
Our Services
✓ Invisalign
✓ Emergency Dental Care
✓ Teeth Whitening
✓ Zoom In-office Teeth Whitening
✓ Treatment of Abscess
✓ Crowns
✓ Teeth Cleaning
✓ Braces
For minor to moderate misalignment, Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces. Invisalign is a clear aligner, created by the orthodontist and specially fitted to your teeth. Our dentist must first determine your eligibility for this treatment and will provide tips on how to keep your aligner in good condition.
Emergency Dental Treatments
Whether you are experiencing a toothache, gum discomfort, a lost tooth or are in need of an emergency extraction, we will take care of it. Our office provides emergency care to fix dental problems as quickly as possible. Contact our office for more information on the emergency services we offer.
Teeth Whitening
Sometimes stains that accumulate on our teeth make them noticeably dull. Our teeth whitening services address your teeth's appearance. An appointment with our dentist is necessary to determine which teeth whitening procedure is the best choice for you.
Zoom In-Office Teeth Whitening
One of our safest teeth whitening procedures is the Zoom In-Office Teeth Whitening service. Just like the name implies, the procedure is quick and easy. The whitening process contains a natural peroxide solution that brightens the teeth without causing harm to the enamel.
Oral Abscess Treatments
When there is pain or irritation in your mouth, it may be due to an infection such as an abscess. This condition is generally caused by poor dental hygiene and, if not treated promptly, can spread and infect other teeth. If you experience symptoms of an abscess, such as swollen gums and pus, contact us as soon as possible.
Cavities, broken teeth, root canals, and worn down enamel are just a few of thefactors that can result in needing a crown. Serving as extra protection to the tooth, dental crowns are made of a safe, durable material. Whether you need to get them for cosmetic purposes or as a result of extensive tooth damage, our dentist can easily evaluate what type of crowns are right for your individual case.
Some situations which lead to a person needing dental crowns include:
- Root canal treatment, since it often requires a significant portion of the tooth be removed
- Weaker teeth at risk of further damage
- Cosmetic reasons
- Chipped or broken teeth
Teeth Cleaning
Even if you brush your teeth often, it's always beneficial to have a professional teeth cleaning. Everyone can experience a buildup of plaque, tar, and stains, especially in hard to reach areas of the mouth. A periodical, professional teeth cleaning, along with practicing daily dental hygiene, with help you maintain great oral health.
If you would like to correct an overbite or misaligned teeth, traditional braces are a great option. Braces are convenient and can be worn at any age. Keep in mind that teeth continue to shift over time, which is why many dentists recommend getting braces at an early age.
Taking care of your teeth is vital for your oral health. We take great pride in providing superb dental services.
If you're in the Laurel, Mississippi area and are interested in our treatment options, call our office at 601-428-6093 and schedule an appointment today!


text:
Now that British Summertime has ended it's time for a baker's thoughts to turn to spice, apples and cake that comforts! When I saw this recipe I knew it was perfect to accompany a cup of tea on a murky November afternoon.
Much as it's against my principles I should point out that this cake is low in calories and saturated fat (although that probably doesn't include the buttercream). But don't let that put you off because it is also moist, delicious and very, very moreish. I can't help but think of Marjorie Dawes' diet advice to her Fatfighter's group: "and because it's only half the calories you can eat twice as much of it".
The recipe came with a cream cheese frosting but – try as I might – I just cannot warm to the flavour of it, so switched to the cinnamon buttercream we all loved from my apple cupcakes last month. I halved the amount of honey in the buttercream as I wanted it to be firmer.
This cake is exceptionally soft so I advise caution on removing it from the tin; it's probably best to let it cool completely before handling it. Even then, take care – it's a really squidgy, but also crumbly, sponge. Here it is before decoration:
The batter was light and airy – I tried to photograph it to illustrate it's light, open batter; not sure this is the best photo I've ever taken but, this is what the batter looked like:
Apple and spice is probably second only to vanilla in my "all-time favourite cake flavours" list. It's the way the sweet acidity of the apple is warmed by the spice and the flavours dance around your mouth and linger. Just beautiful. The walnut garnish adds some extra texture and I was rather pleased with my idea of putting the walnut halves round the edge because, not only did it look pretty, but it also used more buttercream!
For the cake:
1kg Bramley apples (or any other cooking apple)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons water, add more if necessary
100g plain flour
100g wholemeal flour
1 tablespoon cornflour
2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
225g golden caster sugar
100g raisins
50g walnuts, roughly chopped
50ml sunflower oil
For the buttercream:
125g unsalted butter, at room temperature
300g icing sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional, to decorate: walnut halves
Start by making the apple puree: peel, core and slice the apples and place into a non-stick saucepan.
Add the lemon juice and water and simmer – covered – over a low heat until the apples break down into a thick puree. I found I needed to add some more water to generate the steam to break down the apples – I probably added a further 4 tablespoons; use your judgement. If the apples look dry then add more water.
Remove the lid and increase the heat (only a little) then cook for a further 5 minutes and stir to ensure that the excess liquid cooks away.
Remove from the heat, decant into a bowl and leave to cool completely – if you wish, you can make the puree the day before you bake and store it in the fridge overnight.
Preheat the oven to 160˚C/fan oven140˚C/320˚F/gas mark 3.
Line a 20cm round springform tin with baking paper.
Sift together all three flours, bicarbonate of soda, spices and sugar into a bowl, then tip in any bran left in the sieve – in this instance you're sieving to combine the ingredients rather than weed out undesirables!
Stir in the raisins and walnuts.
Weigh out 550g of the apple puree and stir into the dry ingredients along with the oil. (You can use any leftover apple puree in the decoration)
Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and level the surface.
Bake for approximately 1 hour or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean. Mine actually took a fair bit longer – 1 hour 20 mins but I know all ovens are different so use your judgement.
Leave the cake – in its tin – on a wire rack until it is completely cool; the cake is very soft so take extra care.
Now make the buttercream: beat the butter on its own until it is light and whippy.
Add the icing sugar and milk and beat until light and smooth.
Beat in the honey and spice.
Spoon any leftover apple puree onto the centre of the cake (you could also cut the cake through and use the puree to sandwich it).
Pipe the buttercream around the top of the cake and decorate with walnut halves, if so desired.
Bask in the glory of the wonderful thing you have created.


text:
One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is keeping your child safe when riding in a vehicle. Each year, thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes. Proper use of car safety seats helps keep children safe. But with so many different seats on the market, many parents find this overwhelming. If you are expectant parents, give yourselves enough time to learn how to properly install the car safety seat in your car before your baby is born to ensure a safe ride home from the hospital.
The type of seat your child needs depends on several things, including your child's age, size, and developmental needs. Read on for more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) about choosing the most appropriate car seat for your child.
Click Here for a Listing of Car Seats & Car Seat Manufacturers
This chart is a quick guide on where to start your search. It's important to continue your research to learn about each seat you use.
Car safety seats may be installed with either the vehicle's seat belt or LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) system. LATCH is an attachment system for car safety seats. Lower anchors can be used instead of the seat belt to install the seat, and many parents find them easier to use in some cars. The top tether improves safety provided by the seat and is important to use for all forward-facing seats, even those installed using the vehicle seat belt. Although the seat belt and LATCH systems are equally safe, caregivers may prefer one system instead of the other. Keep in mind that only one system should be used unless the car safety seat and vehicle manufacturer say it is OK to use 2 systems at the same time.
Vehicles with the LATCH system have lower anchors located in the back seat, where the seat cushions meet.
Tether anchors are located behind the seat, either on the panel behind the seat (in sedans) or back of the seat, ceiling, or floor (in most minivans, SUVs, hatchbacks, and pickup trucks). All forward-facing car safety seats have tether attachments that fasten to these anchors. Nearly all passenger vehicles and all car safety seats made on or after September 1, 2002, are equipped to use LATCH.
All lower anchors are rated for a maximum weight of 65 pounds (total weight includes car safety seat and child).
Parents should check the car safety seat manufacturer's recommendations for maximum weight a child can be to use lower anchors. New car safety seats have the maximum weight printed on their label.
Note: Seat belts—If you install a car safety seat using your vehicle's seat belt, you must make sure the seat belt locks to help get a tight fit. In most newer cars, you can lock the seat belt by pulling it all the way out and then allowing it to retract to keep the seat belt tight around the car safety seat. Additionally, many car safety seats have built-in lock-offs to lock the belt without having to lock the seat belt separately as well. Refer to the vehicle owner's manual for details about how your seat belt locks.
Middle of the back seat—The safest place to ride for all children younger than 13 years is the back seat. If possible, it may be best to ride in the middle of the back seat. However, it is sometimes difficult to install a car safety seat tightly in the middle if the vehicle seat is narrow or uneven. Also, many vehicles do not have lower anchors for the middle seating position. It is safest to put the car safety seat in a position where you can install it tightly with either the lower anchor system or seat belt; in some cases, this may be on either side of the back seat rather than the middle. A child passenger safety technician (CPST) can help you decide which place is best to install your child's car safety seat in your vehicle.
The AAP recommends that all infants ride rear-facing starting with their first ride home from the hospital. All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seats, as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer. When infants outgrow their rear-facing–only seat, a convertible seat installed rear facing is needed. Most convertible seats have limits that will permit a child to ride rear-facing for 2 years or more.
All parents can benefit from getting installation help from a CPST to ensure that their seat is properly installed.
Three types of rear-facing seats are available: rear-facing–only, convertible, and 3-in-1. When children reach the highest weight or length allowed by the manufacturer of their rear-facing–only seat, they should continue to ride rear-facing in a convertible or 3-in-1 seat.
Always read the vehicle owner's manual and the car seat manual before installing the seat.
Always read the vehicle owner's manual and the car seat manual before installing the seat. Any child who has outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for his convertible seat should use a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height allowed by his car seat manufacturer. It is best for children to ride in a seat with a harness as long as possible, at least to 4 years of age. If your child outgrows a seat before reaching 4 years of age, consider using a seat with a harness approved for higher weights and heights.
Always read the vehicle owner's manual and the car seat manual before installing the seat. It is important that the car seat is installed tightly in the vehicle and that the harness fits your child snugly.
Move the shoulder straps to the slots that are at or above your child's shoulders, or position at or closest to (above or below, based on rear or forward facing) the child's shoulders. Check the instructions that came with the seat to be sure you are positioning the shoulder straps correctly.
Booster seats are for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing seats. All children whose weight or height exceeds the forward-facing limit for their car seat should use a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits properly, typically when they have reached 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 through 12 years of age. Most children will not fit in most vehicle seatbelts without a booster until 10 to 11 years of age. All children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat.
Instructions that come with your car seat will tell you the height and weight limits for the seat. As a general guideline, a child has outgrown a forward-facing seat when any of the following situations is true:
High-back and backless are 2 standard types of booster seats. They do not come with harness straps but are used with lap and shoulder seat belts in your vehicle, the same way an adult rides. They are designed to raise a child up so that lap and shoulder seat belts fit properly over the strongest parts of the child's body.
Most booster seats are not secured to the vehicle seat with the seat belt or lower anchor and tether but simply rest on the vehicle seat and are held in place once the seat belt is fastened over a child. However, some models of booster seats can be secured to the vehicle seat and kept in place using the lower anchors or top tether. (Currently, only a few vehicle manufacturers offer built-in booster seats.)
When using a booster seat, always read the vehicle owner's manual and the car seat manual before installing the seat. Booster seats often have a plastic clip or guide to correctly position vehicle lap and shoulder belts. See the booster seat instruction booklet for directions on how to use the clip or guide.
Booster seats must be used with a lap and shoulder belt. When using a booster seat, make sure:
If your booster seat has lower anchors or top-tether attachments, check its booklet for installation instructions.
Seat belts are made for adults. Children should stay in a booster seat until adult seat belts fit correctly, typically when children reach about 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 through 12 years of age. Most children will not fit in a seat belt alone until 10 to 11 years of age. When children are old enough and large enough to use the vehicle seat belt alone, they should always use lap and shoulder seat belts for the best protection. All children younger than 13 years should ride in the back seat.
Front airbags are installed in all new cars. When used with seat belts, airbags work well to protect teenagers and adults; however, airbags can be very dangerous to children, particularly those riding in rear-facing seats, and to preschool- and young school–aged children who are not properly restrained. If your vehicle has a front passenger airbag, infants in rear-facing seats must ride in the back seat. Even in a relatively low-speed crash, the airbag can inflate, strike the car seat, and cause serious brain injury and death.
Vehicles with no back seat or a back seat that is not made for passengers are not the best choice for traveling with small children; however, the airbag can be turned off in some of these vehicles if the front seat is needed for a child passenger. See your vehicle owner's manual for more information.
Side airbags are available in most new cars. Side airbags improve safety for adults in side-impact crashes. Read your vehicle owner's manual for more information about the airbags in your vehicle. Read your car seat instructions and the vehicle owner's manual for guidance on placing the seat next to a side airbag.
If you have questions or need help installing your car seat, find a certified child passenger safety technician (CPST). Lists of certified CPSTs and child seat–fitting stations are available on the following Web sites:
Although the AAP is not a testing or standard-setting organization, this article sets forth the AAP recommendations based on the peer-reviewed literature available at the time of its publication and sets forth some of the factors that parents should consider before selecting and using a car seat.
Latch image adapted from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. LATCH Makes Child Safety Seat Installation as Easy as 1-2-3. DOT HS publication 809 489. Published March 2011. https://www.safercar.gov/parents/CarSeats/pdf-carseat/English/LATCH_Installation.pdf. Accessed January 13, 2017.
Figure 1 from Bull MJ, Engle WA; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention, Committee on Fetus and Newborn. Safe transportation of preterm and low birth weight infants at hospital discharge. Pediatrics. 2009;123(5);1424–1429.


text:
Forgotten your password
Unfortunately the page you are looking for has not been found. Clicking a link below should get you back where you want to be.
Contact us
If you have any need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us on
firstname.lastname@example.com or +44 (0) 20 7973 6694.
read more...


text:
The Perfect Opportunity
This is your opportunity to join the thousands of people
already earning money working flexible hours from home.
Turn Your Spare Time into Spare Cash
You could earn a great extra income working
just a few simple hours each week.
Part Time Hours, Full Time Earnings
Work 10-20 hours per week and you could earn £1000+ per month.
Work Full Time to Earn a Residual Lifetime Income
You could earn a large residual income by building
your own successful home based business.
Some are earning six-figure annual incomes!
Total Flexibility
Be your own boss, work the hours that suit you.
No employees, no stock, no problems.
Full training and support is available.
To learn more please request further information.
Website powered by
Big Advertising


text:
Please visit the following links for information about our online degree programs:
The Bachelor of General Studies degree program is designed for students interested in interdisciplinary education. The degree program includes a core academic base and allows for flexibility in selecting an area of concentration. The program is especially valuable for students who wish to
The student learning outcomes for the Bachelor of General Studies are presented below:
Students must meet all requirements for admission to the university found on our Applying for Admissions site. The Bachelor of General Studies program has no separate or special admission requirements.


text:
Worlds in Orlando
The World Championships returned to Orlando, FL this year to bring the 2009 competitive season to a close. Despite the 500-degree Fahrenheit temperatures, tons of people came out to the OWC to check out the action. After the show put on in the semi-finals and finals by all the competitors, I'm sure no fan walked away disappointed. It was insane to see so many people line the shores to get a glimpse of the on-water madness. The riders definitely wanted to end the season with a bang and were putting everything on the line to go for the win. In the end the athletes who came out on top were:
Wakeskate men's: Reed Hansen
Wakeskate women's: Jen Gilanfarr
Wakeboard junior men's: Mitch Langfield
Wakeboard women's: Dallas Friday
Wakeboard men's: Aaron Rathy
Congrats to these kids and the rest of the winners for being the champions of the world for the next 364 days.


text:
A number of useful utilities are either built in to Scheme 48 or can
be loaded from an external library. These utilities are not visible
in the user environment by default, but can be made available with the
open command. For example, to use the
tables structure, do
> ,open tables >
If the utility is not already loaded, then the
,open command will
load it.
Or, you can load something explicitly (without opening it) using the
load-package command:
> ,load-package queues > ,open queues
When loading a utility, the message "Note: optional optimizer not invoked" is innocuous. Feel free to ignore it.
See also the package system documentation, in the module chapter.
Not all of the the libraries available in Scheme 48 are described in this
All are listed in files
env-packages.scm, and
more-packages.scm in the
scheme directory of the distribution,
and the bindings they
export are listed in
interfaces.scm and
more-interfaces.scm in the same directory.
Previous: Module system | Next: Command processor


text:
Ireland has been producing films with gay story lines for years, usually with emigration or tragedy usually striking the protagonists in the final reel.
But that's no longer. A new generation of filmmakers is refusing to go gently either onscreen or off, and they've been producing increasingly sophisticated new films about it.
Terence Mulligan, the well-known founding producer of the annual Craic Festival in New York, noticed years ago that Irish films with LGBT themes deserved much wider audiences, and so this year he's ensuring they get the attention they deserve by founding the first annual Irish Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in New York.
Read more:
Irish novelist Colum McCann wins world's richest literary award, the Impac
American movie directors head to remote Donegal village for festival
Sean Penn's Dublin-based movie wows at the Canne Film Festival - VIDEO
Like the Craic Festival itself, the new Irish Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (which will begin on June 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Irish Arts Center) will welcome audiences of all backgrounds and orientations.
Mulligan (who for the record is heterosexual, married and a father) hopes it will ultimately appeal to anyone who loves Irish culture.
"Our board members knew there were a number of really strong Irish short films out there that had gay themes or were made by Irish gay filmmakers that would do well in New York," says Mulligan.
"We also realized that an Irish gay and lesbian film festival had not been done here before. So we thought now was the right time to try it. It was talked about over the years, and now seemed to be the time."
There are, it must be said, some people who still don't -- or won't -- realize that many Irish families include a gay son or daughter. And that's especially true in Irish America, which has kept faith with an earlier idea of Irish society that actual Irish society has long moved beyond.
"I think there's a stigma in certain sections even now," says Mulligan. "So when they hear there's a new Irish gay and lesbian film festival they'll assume it's probably pornographic or featuring nothing but same sex kissing.
"We're hoping to move the audience beyond those narrow perceptions. The truth is that these are just really powerful films, plain and simple."
Mulligan says it will be a film festival, not a political demo. That means the emphasis is on the films and having a laugh. This is not about the ghettoization of Irish gay and lesbian culture -- it's an introduction to any and all comers.
"I think there's a lot of people in the music, film and art community in New York who will come out to see Irish films with gay themes. I think we'll get a lively and diverse turnout," Mulligan maintains.
The festival will screen Dream Kitchen, an award winning Irish short by Barry Dingham. In it, a young working class Irish lad tries to come out to his family, with totally unexpected results.
Winner of numerous awards including the Best Irish Short Film at the Galway Film Fleadh, Dream Kitchen is a well-crafted short by Kevin McCarthy and is a pure delight from start to finish.
Another eye catching short is about a familiar game of dares called Chicken. In it two lads hang out at a remote beach at dusk. Then a sudden game of dare tests the limits of their trust, and it quietly redefines the boundaries of their relationship.
It's not exactly a gay short in that what happens is very open to interpretation, but it's not exactly not a gay short film either. It's Irish, in other words, so there's always room for interpretation.
It's about the way a lot of Irish adolescent males sometimes redirect their feelings of affection for each other into competitive games. Just ask a GAA player about it sometime.
Star spotters should know that the first annual Irish Gay and Lesbian Film Festival is sure to attract some major celebrity wattage, so you never know who you might meet on the night. Political stars also scheduled to appear include New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and City Council Members Jimmy Van Bremer and Daniel Drumm.
"We'll also show a terrific documentary about the premiere Irish gay rugby team, the Emerald Warriors. These guys put a nail in the idea that gay guys aren't tough. And I think any rugby player would enjoy this show," Mulligan says.
Admission is free with donations welcome at the door. "There will be a Tullamore Dew sponsored reception, which is a great way to break the ice, and the Irish Arts Center is one of the most welcoming venues in the city so expect to have a great night," Mulligan adds.
For further information call 646-549-1349.


text:
It may be winter according to the calendar, but it is all sunny skies and beach bodies here in California where it is practically summer all the time! Bikinis are a staple in every girl's closet not matter where you are but my guess is that most California girls have quite the collection, I know I do. For everyone bearing through the cold, don't worry the sun is on its way for Spring and Summer. So whether you are snowed in on the East Coast and dreaming of warmer weather or you are sun-tanning on the beach in January, we have a sexy designer swimsuit for today's Style Of The Day!
Floral swimsuits have been around for some time, but they have recently gained even more popularity with really amazing new floral prints. We can already tell that floral bikinis are going to be a huge hit in 2014, which is why we have some super sexy floral swimsuits in the new 2014 collection. One of my favorite floral luxury swimwear styles is the Ride Like The Wind Bikini. This sexy swimsuit is more than just a sweet floral bikini though, with some denim detail on the top and denim accents on the bottom the look is sexy and sophisticated as well.
We love seeing designer swimwear trends on our favorite celebs, and floral swimsuits are no exception. Practically the two biggest bikini loving celebs out there have been spotted quite a few times sporting the floral bikini trend. Rihanna looked like a vintage pinup in her floral print one piece and the pretty purple floral pattern worked great with her skin. Audrina Patridge must live in swimsuits because that is all we ever see her in, no complaints here though! She wore a colorful floral print bikini on the beach and it gave her a very girly look that we love on her. The Ride Like The Wind Bikini is definitely the perfect swimsuit to get the celebrity floral swimwear look, and the Wildest Dream Maxi Dress coordinates perfectly for a complete beach outfit. Get those beach bodies and bikinis ready ladies, because Spring is on its way!


text:
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iraq plans to purchase rice on a quarterly basis and has reconfirmed its need to purchase 86,000 metric tons of rice per month to meet consumer demand, says Khalil Assi of the Iraqi Grain Board.
Iraq began to purchase U.S. rice in April 2005 and by the end of the year had purchased over 300,000 metric tons making that country the third-largest importer of U.S. rice in terms of value and the fourth-largest in terms of quantity. U.S rice gained roughly 35 percent of Iraq's total rice imports in 2005.
"In December 2004, the USA Rice Federation made the resumption of U.S. rice sales to Iraq our number one goal," said Lee Adams, USA Rice chairman. "This goal has been accomplished with resounding success, and yet there appears to be room for additional growth for U.S. rice exports to Iraq."
USA Rice has been meeting since February 2004 to make Iraq more knowledgeable about the U.S. rice industry and an efficient purchaser of U.S. rice. ADM, Riceland Foods, The Rice Company and USA Rice staff met recently with the Iraqi Grain Board for an educational meeting to provide its members with detailed information on U.S. rice quality, purchasing and tendering specifications. The group also discussed the possibility of future educational efforts and promotional activities.
"Much work remains to be done, and it is clear that this is an evolutionary process," said Stuart Proctor, USA Rice president and CEO. "U.S. rice doesn't have the 80 percent market share that it had during the 1980s, however, with additional informational efforts and promotion activities, U.S. rice exports will continue to grow, making it possible for Iraq to resume its position as the number one import market for U.S. rice."
U.S. rice exports to Iraq topped 500,000 metric tons in 1988 prior to the U.S. government-imposed embargo on exports to that market.


text:
NASCAR Stars' Off-Track Events Fascinating, Compelling
On the track, it has been dubbed by some as the most exciting season in NASCAR history. But the 2011 season did not lack in entertaining, if not fascinating, moments away from the track as well. From television appearances and movie cameos to skydiving, NASCAR drivers and personalities certainly presented plenty of compelling options for these top moments.
Additionally, click on the following links for special audio, video and photo packages commemorating the 2011 season.
Trevor Bayne and Ellen DeGeneres
Before it even had a chance to sink in, NASCAR rookie Trevor Bayne found himself fielding questions about his 2011 Daytona 500 win – and hydration issues during a three-hour race – from Ellen DeGeneres live on the set of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show", one of the highest-viewed daytime shows in the United States. The 20-year-old became the youngest driver ever to win the Daytona 500.
Brian Vickers Jumps into Daytona
On a bright and sunny morning in June – almost a year after originally planned – skydiving enthusiast Brian Vickers landed on the infield of Daytona International Speedway. Vickers' original plan to jump in May 2010 was grounded due to blood clots and eventual heart surgery.
At the time, Vickers estimated that he had jumped solo about 75 times, but this was the first time he turned a track into a landing zone.
The jump was part of an event to help promote the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola.
Man vs. Food Nation
Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Toyota, received a mouthful from Man vs. Food Nation host Adam Richman and Sticky Lips BBQ in Rochester, N.Y. Shortly after finishing fifth at a rain-delayed Watkins Glen, Logano drove 80 miles to Rochester to take on the Atomic Bomb Challenge – downing an enormous sandwich made up of a one pound hamburger, one pound of pulled pork, one pound of French fries, ¼ pound of cheese, eight strips of bacon, hot sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion in 30 minutes or less.
Despite coaching expertise from Richman, Logano couldn't conquer the challenge, thus fashioning this statement on Twitter: "Did you guys really think I could finish that thing?? I mean, come on."
Edwards Nets Loudon the Lobster, Leaps From the Stratosphere
Before hitting the pavement in Loudon for September's Sylvania 300, Carl Edwards took a run at lobster fishing from the deck of a New England lobster boat off the coast of Portsmouth, N.H. In an effort to help promote the Sylvania 300, Edwards hit the waters with the Portsmouth Lobster Company.
The Midwestern native proceeded to trap lobsters like an old pro, hauling in 10 lobster pots. Because of his success, NHMS Executive Vice President and General Manager Jerry Gappens jokingly presented Edwards with a Loudon the Lobster ceremonial trophy.
Check another death-defying, adrenaline rush-type activity off the list for Edwards. A man known for doing backflips from the roof of his car after victories, Edwards braved the 108-story, 855 foot-tall Stratosphere in Las Vegas in February as part of a promotion for the Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Perhaps the leap from the only sky jump in North America will become a tradition? Edwards went on to win the Kobalt Tools 400 in March.
Stewart Preludes The Chase with Go Karts
NASCAR fans should have noted the determination of Tony Stewart as a precursor that led to his unparalleled, come-from-behind victory as 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion during his Ford 400 preview appearance in Hollywood, Fla. in September. In a competition against NASCAR fans at K1 Speed Indoor Kart Racing, Smoke came from the back of the pack in the second race of the event to take the checkered flag.
He ultimately started ninth in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ standings before winning five of the 10 final races – including the Homestead finale - to take home the crown.
Cars 2
Current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon and former driver and current commentator for SPEED Darrell Waltrip burst on to the big screen this season with voice roles as Jeff Gorvette (Gordon) and Darrell Cartrip (Waltrip) in Disney Pixar's Cars 2. The computer-animated action film is the sequel to Cars, which was nominated for two Academy Awards, and hit movie theatres across North America in June.
The Glades
A quartet of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers made acting appearances on the small screen back in June when Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Joey Logano and Brian Vickers played themselves on the A&E drama, The Glades.
The episode explored the murder investigation of Cole Hunter, the fictitious mechanic for NASCAR driver Trey Lancer. In his search for the truth, Jim Longworth – played by Matt Passmore – centers much of his attention on the NASCAR garage, where he met Edwards, Logano, Stewart and Vickers.
The NASCAR scenes were shot at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
The likenesses of three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars, the No. 48 Chevrolet; the No. 88 Chevrolet and the No. 42 Chevrolet, played big roles in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, which debuted in July at movie theatres across the country. The "souped-up" versions of these NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rides were Wreckers for the Autobots in the flick that starred Patrick Dempsey, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Shia LeBeouf and John Malkovich.
Upcoming Events


text:
What does Pythagoras' Theorem tell you about these angles: 90°, (45+x)° and (45-x)° in a triangle?
Draw graphs of the sine and modulus functions and explain the
The family of graphs of x^n + y^n =1 (for even n) includes the
circle. Why do the graphs look more and more square as n increases?


text:
The Heritage Classic Foundation introduced a new donation program last week.
Heritage Champions Fore Charity is a philanthropic initiative designed to grow the foundation's charitable impact throughout local and regional communities as well as across the state of South Carolina. It is taking the place of the Tartan Club, but it puts a greater emphasis on charity and lets donors decide how their gift will be distributed.
The foundation has a long history of giving back to the community thanks to the success of the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. Since it was founded as a 501(c)(3) in 1987, the foundation has donated more than $23 million to people in need across the State of South Carolina.
Membership in the Heritage Champions Fore Charity requires a minimum $1,000 donation to the Heritage Classic Foundation. Monetary gifts may be directed to an approved charity. That chosen nonprofit will receive an extra 20 percent from the foundation. Donations may also be given to the foundation's overall charitable giving plan.
"You may already be giving to a local charity," said Heritage Classic Foundation Chairman Simon Fraser, "but by teaming up with the Heritage Classic Foundation, your favorite charity will get even more."
Patrons of the Heritage Champions Fore Charity will receive exclusive benefits for their generous contributions and have the ability to purchase enhanced credentials to the RBC Heritage, giving them exclusive access to foundation amenities.
'Sponsor a Bobcat' for postseason banquet
Bluffton High School football boosters are continuing their "Sponsor a Bobcat" program this season.
Participants can sponsor a football player for $50, with proceeds going toward the team's end-of-year awards dinner and other postseason activities.
Make checks payable to Bobcat Football, P.O. Box 3892, Bluffton, S.C., 29910. Contact Tammy Winslow at firstname.lastname@example.com or 706-7011, or Lisa Sulka at email@example.com or 384-8462, for more details.
Sportfishing and Diving Club meeting Thursday
The Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club's December meeting will be held Thursday at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club on Lady's Island, off Meridian Road.
The social begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7 p.m. Al Stokes, General Manager of the Waddell Mariculture Center, will be the guest speaker.
The Waddell Center currently houses over 4,000 Cobia and 300,000 redfish and sea trout stock, including ponds with shrimp.
Reservations are not required and guests are welcome. For additional information, contact Captain Frank Gibson at 843-522-2020.


text:
Total Members Voted: 58
Jeffjoe I believe it is because liberalism makes money. Liberals love to hear their views voiced and conservatives love to hear anything they can argue and attempt to refute. In the early stages of yellow journalism media moguls learned that the populace enjoyed hearing stories of sensationalism. The easiest target for sensationalism in this country is the government hence the attacks on the present administration and past administrations. As a republican I do believe that FoxNews is more right-winged, both MSNBC and CNN I see as left-winged. As a side note I believe I must be the only republican on this board! However, finding a military member, other than Wesley Clark (and 2 year service man John Kerry), who is not a republican is hard to do!Jason
My dad (a 30 year veteran) is a huge democrat. So that theory isn't quite true.
That's right Giraffe....we're just going around the playground picking fights aren't we? Maybe you were in South America saving the dung beetle on September 11th, but I remember it all too well. The fight was started here. We're finishing it there. Whether you hide your liberal head under a rock or not, there is a war. We are in the middle of it and I would rather it be fought in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan than in the streets of Brooklyn or the suburbs of South Carolina. No liberal bias? Liberal bias in US politic discourse refers to slanting and spiking of news stories to promote a liberal agenda and thwart conservative values. To say that this is not the mainstream in today's media is like standing on a tree stump and demanding that a tree never grew there. It's absurd to say the least.


text:
"There's No Place Like Home" at the Pickford Poetry Hour with Renee Dreiling on Tuesday, July 23 from 7-8 p.m.
Join us for an evening of poetry and stories celebrating "home" with our special host, local poet Renee Dreiling. Share your favorite memories with words, photos, or drawings. Let's set the mood for Hay Days 2013 (July 29-August 4).
This event is free to the public and all are welcome! For more information, contact Ann Marie Smith at email@example.com, call the library at (906) 647-1288 or check us out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PickfordCommunityLibrary.
The Pickford Community Library is located at 230 East Main Street in downtown Pickford.


text:
Item no:: M74-0466-W
Designed to dump up to 40 degrees below horizontal to ensure total emptying of contents. Seamless, molded polyethylene body is supported by steel tube frame. 6" casters allow for easy maneuverability. Hinged lids are available for all five sizes to help meet OSHA sanitary requirements. Bodies available in your choice of color. Standard framework painted black. Hoppers should be secured to forklift or floor before dumping. (Please note - the 3 yard models with or without casters can only be ordered on a non-returnable basis due to the size. It is an enormous unit, and care must be taken before ordering to ensure it is the appropriate size for your application.)
Hopper Self Dumping 1.7 yd w/casters black


text:
The SAPPHIRE HD 7970 OC 3GB GDDR5 graphics card is said to be one of the best AMD Radeon HD 7970 graphics card on the market today, so when we were able to get one in for testing we couldn't say no. The SAPPHIRE HD 7970 OC 3GB stands out from the crowd with a factory overclock and a custom GPU cooler that looks awesome. This card doesn't have just one factory overclock though as SAPPHIRE loaded up two BIOS versions on this card and both feature different clock frequencies! The first offers a mild overclock of 950MHz on the core and 1425MHz on the memory and the other is more aggressive at 1000MHz on the core and 1450MHz on the memory. AMD just last week announced the AMD Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition, but cards like the SAPPHIRE HD 7970 OC 3GB have already been running at or above the 1GHz mark for many months now.
Just taking a quick glance at the SAPPHIRE HD 7970 OC 3GB you should be able to see that this card uses dual-extractor cooling technology or Dual-X for short. This GPU cooler has 5 massive copper heatpipes topped with dual 90mm axial-flow fans to run quiet during normal operating conditions, yet still handle the heat when under full load. The fan shroud is made from plastic, but it is solid feeling when you pick it up and hold the card.
Sapphire currently offers three AMD Radeon HD 7970 cards, so their product stack isn't too confusing to understand. You have a standard clocked card available with the AMD reference design cooler or the Sapphire Dual-X GPU cooler. You then have the top end card that has the Dual-X GPU cooler and it comes with the core and memory clocks factory overclocked.
Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 Video Cards:
Turning the Sapphire HD 7970 OC Edition video card over you can see that it doesn't have a back plate or any of the GDDR5 memory chips on the back of the black colored PCB. The serial number sticker is the most important thing that is located on the back of this card. This number is critical if you plan on ever RMA'ing it under the 2-year limited warranty period should anything ever go wrong. The PCB of
the card measures ~10.50″ in length and stands at ~4.75″ in height. It
should be
noted that the black plastic fan shroud extends past the PCB, so the true length
of the card is ~11.25″ in length. Sapphire is using PCB model number 109-C38637-00 in case you are curious or want to know what water blocks are compatible.
With the video card flipped upside down you can better see the five copper heatpipes that help keep the 'Tahiti XT' GPU nice and cool. The Dual-X cooling solution is one of the more impressive GPU coolers that we have seen.
The SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7970 OC has a pair of mini-DisplayPort 1.2
connectors, a full size HDMI 1.4a output for 3D video (Blu-ray 3D)
support, and a dual-link DVI-I when it comes to video outputs. The AMD
Radeon HD 7900 series supports up to six DisplayPort displays by
"daisy chaining" them to two mini-DisplayPort outputs.
The SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7970 OC 3GB has two CrossFire interconnects and you can link up to four of these cards together for improved performance. Like many other Radeon HD 7970 cards that we have seen in the past, SAPPHIRE is using the BIOS switch and the card has two BIOS versions on it. On the OC edition that we are reviewing here today, the second BIOS is pre-programmed to allow a higher maximum overclock and more aggressive fan profile.
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7970 OC 3GB BIOS 1:
The first BIOS is clocked at 950MHz on the core and 1425MHz on the 3GB of GDDR5 memory. GPU-Z reports a texture fillrate of 121.5 GTexel/s with a memory bandwidth of 273.6GB/s.
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7970 OC 3GB BIOS 2:
The second BIOS is clocked at 100MHz on the core and 1450MHz on the 3GB of GDDR5 memory. GPU-Z reports a texture fillrate of 128.0 GTexel/s with a memory bandwidth of 278.4GB/s.
The Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 has one 6-pin and one 8-pin PCIe power connector located along the top of the PCB that need to be hooked up. SAPPHIRE says that the Radeon HD 7970 OC requires a 500W or greater power supply with one 75W 6-pin PCIe connector and one 150W 8-pin PCIe connector for proper operation.
Let's take a look at the retail box and bundle then jump into game testing!
Comments are closed.


text:
2 Week Specials, Building & French in Senegal by Alexandra Van-Kirk
It started off as just being able to find something to do over the summer. I didn't want to go to school this year without any new experiences or anything to show for my last couple of months of break. I knew I wanted to volunteer, and I DEFINITELY wanted to get out of Minnesota, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would end up in Senegal.
I actually ended up going on the trip with two of my best friends, Anna and Grace. We all shared an interest in volunteering and since we were all in the same French class, we thought, 'why not do both?' But little did we know, there aren't many places that offer those two options as a pair. OR if we could find a programme that had French experience AND volunteering, their dates wouldn't work for one of us, and the programme didn't have any flexibility.
We were about ready to give up, when Anna finally stumbled across Projects Abroad. It was a match made in heaven. Not ONLY did it have French classes AND volunteering, but it was in AFRICA! We also had the option of picking our own dates, which was when everything seemed to fall into place.
Arriving in Senegal
A couple of months later, Grace and I were finally on the plane to Senegal from New York (Anna was meeting us there from Europe). It was a REALLY long ride, but arriving there was amazing. It was so different from what we were used to in terms of airports and it was so hot!
We quickly found Habib, who would escort us to St Louis, and met two other volunteers, Huxley and Katie, who we would be spending the next two weeks with. The taxi-ride, although half as short, seemed to take almost as long as the plane ride, (especially since there wasn't any air conditioning). But when we finally arrived to our house, we met our family who greeted us with open arms.
Our Senegal project
The next day was spent learning the overview of our programme and of different things that would be going on as we were in Senegal. It was so exciting! My schedule was waking up in the morning for my 9:00 AM French class with my friend Shanna. We then would get off at noon and have a three-hour break until our work with reconstruction at 3:30. In the meantime, we would either go home and have lunch, or we would stop by the town to do some shopping, swim at the Flamingo, or even eat at Nice Burger! At work, we redid some of the walls in a local talibé centre, and then painted it. Work was always really rewarding and we would get off at around 6:30 every day.
After work, Projects Abroad normally had a social event for us to attend – which were always very entertaining. Some examples would include: quiz night, glass painting, or even dance lessons! When there wasn't an event planned, my roommates and I were able to sit at home and socialise (in French) with our family while eating dinner. They even taught us some Wolof, the local tribal language! Personally, I loved our family's cooking. Everything was always so good. I've been craving some yassa and chirudjen since I've come back to the states.
Weekend trip
Overall, one of my favourite experiences of the whole voyage was our weekend trip to the Lompoul Desert. It was a long ride from the Projects Abroad office, but it was so worth it. There were about 15 luxurious tents that could room 4 people each and they were all situated in the middle of the desert. Everything was so open and pretty, and we even got to ride camels while we were there! Then, that night, we all danced around the fire to drums. It was so different from anything I've ever done, and I absolutely loved it.
Now, sitting on my bed thinking back on all of my memories from Senegal, all I wish I could do is go back. It was such a unique trip and the experience of a lifetime. I made so many different friends from all over the world, and still keep in touch with them now. I'll never forget my time in Senegal, and it has inspired me to volunteer more in the future. Jërëjëf to all of the Projects Abroad Staff for providing me with this experience, it was amazing!
Alexandra Van-Kirk
Этот отзыв - личный опыт волонтера, побывавшего на проекте. Поскольку наши программы постоянно корректируются, исходя из результатов и потребностей на местах, ваши впечатления от проекта могут быть другими. Погодные условия тоже могут отличаться, что имеет значение. Свяжитесь с нами, чтобы узнать все детали.
+44 (0) 1273 007230
- Часто Задаваемые Вопросы


text:
Log Out
Our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy have changed. We think you'll like them better this way.
MsBlue and The Remix Family
Contact The Host MsBlue: firstname.lastname@example.com
Readings | Know Your Magic Audio WorkBook | Know Your Magic Oracle Deck | Self Invested Workshop | Akashic Records | Radio Host | Medium | Intuitive Healer | Psychic |Certified Holistic Practitioners| All around Badazz Sista
www.msblueblast.com | www.msblueblast.com/cards | http://tinyurl.com/MsBlueRemix
Sorry we couldn't complete your registration. Please try again.
You must accept the Terms and conditions to register


text:
Historic Site Name
This road sign with arrow(s) is used to direct the public to historic trail sites or segments. Only three lines of text are allowed for the name of any given site or trail segment. To accommodate the range of names that may be placed on this sign, it is slightly larger than the rest of the family of roadway signs. While all of the other signs are 32" x 48," this sign is 36" x 48." Hopefully this will accommodate most every name that might be used; longer names will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Use of this sign should only be considered where the trail site or segment landowner agrees to sign their property and where a minimum level of public facilities exists. The public must be able to safely park. There needs to be some level of information or interpretation to help the public understand how the site or segment is associated with the trail. For example, an empty field associated to the trail but without any trail interpretation is just an empty field.
Last updated: March 14, 2016