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Therapy Dog Story Hour
Freeport Community Library
Monday, Dec. 16, 4:00-5:00
Kids of all ages can read to an attentive, loving dog. For your own special time with one of our dogs please call ahead to save your spot. Adult supervision required.
For questions or directions to the library, please visit www.freeportlibrary.com or call 865-3307.
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Like to pick everyone's brains on a tech question that doesn't fit in anywhere else? Here's where to do it!
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Tech Tips« Back to Ideas Collection
More Tech Tips
- • Sharpen InDesign Type Spacing with Three Easy Tips
- • Kiss Print Hassles Goodbye by Packaging Print-Ready PDFs
- • Employ Printed QR Codes for a Rapid Response
- • 6 InDesign Best Practices
- • Understanding Photoshop File Formats
- • Leading Like a Pro
- • Become A Keyboard Shortcut Superman
- • Master the Light With Custom White Balance
- • Spot, Heal, Clone: The Perfect Combination
- • 4 Illustrator Hacks You Didn't Know You Needed
- • Preflighting: The Perfect Launch
- • Think Inside the Box with Grid Systems
- • Caring for the Widows and Orphans
- • Fix Distorted Photos
- • Fine Tuning Typography
- • Real-Time CMYK Previews
- • Compose Yourself!
- • Understanding Compound Paths
Straightening a Crooked Photo
Let's face it. We're not all expert photographers. Occasionally, a photo comes out a little more crooked than we'd like. You probably already know how useful Photoshop's crop tool can be for trimming undesired elements from your photos, but did you know you can use it to straighten a crooked image, as well? Here's how:
1.Select the Crop tool from the tools palette.
2.Click and drag the cursor across the portion of the image you wish to use.
3.Move your mouse outside the selected area. The cursor will turn into a double-sided arrow, connected by a curved line.
4.Press and hold down the mouse button (left mouse button on the PC) and move your mouse. The selected area of the photo will rotate in whatever direction you move.
5.Once you've rotated the selection enough to make up for the photo's crookedness, release the mouse.
6.Press Enter, or double-click inside the selected area. The image will be cropped accordingly and rotated to bring it straight.
How to Do Everything With Photoshop CS
by Colin Smith
Get to know Photoshop, and go beyond the basics with this friendly, step-by-step guide. How to Do Everything With Photoshop CS teaches you how to run this sophisticated image editing application like a pro. Learn how to use all the tools, work with color palettes, create textures, import images, apply filters, use layers, and do so much more. This beautiful, four-color book also features an art gallery displaying professional work to help illuminate the lessons and inspire you.


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January 10, 2013
Contact: Sammy Parks
Phone Number: (713) 693-3329
Laredo Los Zetas Arms Traffickers Plead Guilty
LAREDO, Texas - Pablo Cerda, 36, and Nicolas Sanchez-Reyes, 50, have been convicted for their roles in a conspiracy to export weapons to Mexico destined for Los Zetas drug trafficking organization, Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Javier F. Peña and United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. The two Laredoans both entered pleas to one count of conspiracy to export arms.
In November 2010, agents learned of a shipment of weapons to be delivered in Laredo from the Dallas area for transportation to Mexico. Otilo Osorio and Ranferi Osorio were identified as co-conspirators in the Dallas area who were to deliver the weapons to other co-conspirators for transportation to Laredo. Cerda and Sanchez-Reyes were tasked with receiving the shipment of weapons from Dallas in Laredo and arranging for the transportation of said weapons to the Republic of Mexico.
On Nov. 9, 2010, agents set up surveillance at the parking lot area of a Wal-Mart located near I-35 in Lancaster, at which time agents observed a tractor trailer driver meet with Ranferi and Otilio Osorio who arrived in a Ford Explorer. Two large duffel bags believed to contain weapons were removed from the Explorer and placed inside the tractor. Agents then followed the tractor-trailer.
Sanchez-Reyes and Cerda then coordinated the receipt of the weapons for ultimate transportation to Nuevo Laredo. Between Nov. 9 and 10, the men called each other regarding the logistics of the shipment and coordinated the delivery of the weapons in Laredo to another driver secured by Cerda who would transport the weapons to Mexico.
On Nov. 9, Webb County Sheriff's deputies conducted a traffic stop in Laredo of tractor trailer transporting the weapons. At that time, Sanchez-Reyes called the driver's phone and a deputy answered the call. Unaware of the situation, Sanchez-Reyes said he was looking for the driver who was supposed to bring him something, at which time the deputy informed the driver could not talk. After the stop, deputies located the two duffle bags and found 40 high-powered firearms consisting of various makes, models and calibers as well as 39 empty magazines. Agents then discovered that 37 of the 40 firearms recovered had obliterated serial numbers. The driver was arrested at the scene.
Sentencing has yet to be set. The defendants will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Co-defendants Otilo and Ranferi Osorio were indicted in Dallas and have since pleaded guilty and sentenced to prison.The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mary Lou Castillo.


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Steve Janaszak : Free Celebrity AddressesClaim to Fame: Olympic Hockey Player
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Movie : Saavari 2
Year : 2014
Banner : Jacob Films, Jadyn Motion Pictures
Cast : Srinagar Kitty, Karan Rao, Girish Karnad, Abbas, Shruthi Hariharan, Madhurima, Sadhu Kokila, Jeeva
Music : Manikanth Kadri
Lyrics : Gopalakrishna Adiga, Jayanth Kaikini, Kaviraj, Manju M Doddamani
Story : Jacob Varghese
Direction : Jacob Varghese
Producer : Jacob Varghese
Genre : Comedy
Runtime : 129 min
Release Date : May 29, 2014
Seenu (Srinagara Kitty) is the son-in-law of minister Jayaprakash (M Chandru) and he is a very carefree guy using his FIL's power to make money. His life takes a turn when a journalist Vishwanath (Girish Karnad) informs him about a huge money hidden in forest. They go together accompanied by driver Arjun (Karan) who is actually a cop which they are not aware. Twist occurs when the forest brigand Selvam (Jeeva) kidnaps Seenu and seeks ransom.
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Have you or your loved one served in the U.S. military?
If so, you or your loved one may be eligible for home care benefits from the Veterans Administration!
Golden Heart Senior Care is a advocate for seniors that served in the military. The VA has a program that can reimburse veterans for home care based on certain qualification criteria, including:
- Veterans must have served 1 day during an active war and had no less than a 90 day service.
- Surviving spouses must still have been married to the veteran when they passed.
- You must have a doctor's order insisting you need the aid and attendance of another person daily.
- You must have less then 80K in checking and savings and even less if you are applying as a single (not including your home or vehicles). If you have IRAs and CDs they are included as income.
- You must have received an honorable discharge or general discharge.
- You may not qualify if you are on state assistance (Medicaid or another subsidized program due to your low income).
If you or your loved one qualifies, we can assist in applying for home care benefits from the Veterans Administration.
One of our professional consultants can discuss the VA benefit program with you in more detail during the assessment interview. Contact us for more information about this exciting program for veterans!


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Jamaica did the right thing by the Palestinians
Palestinians have argued for years that they should be recognised as a sovereign state because the right to self-determination is an inalienable right enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Some have disputed this claim. Whatever the merits of both sides, the United Nations membership has taken a decision which acknowledges that the Palestinians are a sovereign state.
Thursday, November 29, 2012 was a day of joy and vindication for the Palestinians, a moment to savour amid the devastation and misery which is their reality. The United Nations voted 138 in favour, nine against (including Canada and Panama) with 41 abstentions (including Britain and Germany) to upgrade the status of Palestinians from "observer entity" to "non-member observer state". Israel and the United States have consistently opposed such a decision and voted against it on Thursday.
This is an implicit recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state. It is a major political break-through, a moral victory and a psychological boost which the Palestinians have fought for over many years. The UN decision could open the possibility of membership in United Nations agencies and the International Criminal Court.
De facto recognition as a state might inject some movement into the talks on the "two-state" solution to the dispute between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Israel occupies Jerusalem, a holy site for Christians, Jews and Muslims and most of the West Bank. This has been so since the Six-Day War of 1967. Previously, the West Bank was held by Jordan and the Gaza Strip was controlled by Egypt.
It was ironic that Thursday was the 65th anniversary of the vote which divided the British-controlled Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arabic. This is the vote which gave birth to Israel.
President Mahmud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority regards the vote as the birth certificate of the state of Palestine. The next step is to determine what exactly are the implications which flow from the UN decision. The strong statements which preceded and followed the vote did not create an atmosphere in which there can be the type of constructive dialogue and legal interpretation that is now necessary.
We continue to support all initiatives which can lead to the peaceful coexistence of the Palestinians and the Israelis. We hope that this new development is a positive one which can add momentum to the resolution of this bitter dispute.
The Jamaican Government and Foreign Minister A J Nicholson are to be commended for doing the right thing by the Palestinians in voting in favour of the resolution.
Now you can read the Jamaica Observer ePaper anytime, anywhere. The Jamaica Observer ePaper is available to you at home or at work, and is the same edition as the printed copy available at http://bit.ly/epaperlive
1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper � email addresses will not be published.
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But in rulings that surprised no one, TSA administrative-law judges upheld the fine. Brennan's constitutional challenge could not be raised there, because a handy TSA regulation specifically forbids its ALJs from even considering the validity of any TSA requirement "under the U.S. Constitution, … or other law."
Seriously! A court who's authority ultimately rests on the Constitution is forbidden from considering the Constitution. I do not even know what more to say.


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Man shoves elderly couple's car off tracks as train nears
Chris Ihle pushes elderly couple's car off tracks moments before a train goes by, inches from the trio.
He spotted a car stopped on the crossing, heard a train whistle and noticed handicapped tags on the vehicle.
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Wednesday was a bad day to wear cowboy boots, Chris Ihle thought as his feet struggled to gain traction on the railroad tracks.
The time was about 1:30 p.m. He had returned to work at a Wells Fargo Bank in Ames after a late lunch. He parked his motorcycle and glanced over at a nearby railroad tracks crossing.
He spotted a car — a big, old Pontiac Bonneville — stopped on the crossing.
He heard a train whistle. The crossing gates lowered.
Ihle, a 38-year-old father of three, noticed handicapped tags on the vehicle. He sprinted toward the tracks.
Inside the stalled car were Marion and Jean Papich, an elderly couple from Slater. He is 84. She is 78. Marion Papich, the driver, kept trying to start the engine.
People in cars behind the downed gate hollered at the Papiches. "Get out!" they cried.
Heather Cramer, an acquaintance of Ihle, happened to be stopped at the end of the cars stacked up behind the Papiches' vehicle.
She saw the couple weren't getting out of their car. She screamed. And she started running. She kicked off her flip-flops so she could run faster. She screamed some more.
"I thought it would be something where they would get it fixed quickly, but they just sat there and the train was coming," Cramer said. "I hoped someone would get to them."
Ihle did. He thought of his three children.
"I just kept thinking, 'What if they were in that car?'" Ihle told The Des Moines Register on Thursday. "I had to do something."
Ihle got behind the car and pushed. It wouldn't budge. His cowboy boots slipped on the tracks. He had seen Dwight Yoakam in concert the night before and wore the boots Wednesday to keep up the country theme.
The train was coming. Ihle felt the vibrations as the Union Pacific locomotive bore down on them.
The horn blared. The train brakes squealed. The ground shook.
Ihle saw the car's hood was only slightly over the tracks on which the train was coming. If he could just push it back onto the set of tracks to the north, that just might do it.
Ihle ran around to the front of the car. He slipped the toes of his boots into the track ruts to get leverage.
He heaved.
He yelled at Marion Papich to make sure the car was in neutral gear.
The train was close.
"You could hear it. I even think I could smell it," Ihle said.
The big car finally budged. He moved the car back about 5 feet, then got out of the way, with seconds to spare.
The train zipped by, missing them all by inches.
"I was worried about losing the backs of my heels," Ihle said. "I didn't know what to say or do. I was just standing there."
Ihle tried to talk to the Papiches. They were too shocked to say anything. The train finally shuddered to a halt down the line. An engineer came running back toward the scene.
Ihle walked back to the bank and got a cup of coffee.
The tellers in the drive-through windows who witnessed his heroic act swarmed him. They thought he was going to die.
Ihle called his dad.
"You ain't gonna believe what just happened to me," he said. "And my dad said, 'You should probably go back out there.'"
Ihle went back out to meet with police. He never got a chance to talk to the Papiches. They were unavailable for comment Thursday.
But Ihle has the comfort of knowing they're still alive today because of his fast action.
"It's all still kind of a blur to me," Ihle said. "Holy cow."


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I was at home writing my articles two days ago, but I heard someone crying outside my door. Not that I'm a heartless person, but I was really trying to get my work done and I just ignored it and kept writing. The crying continued and then there were sirens and finally I stepped outside to see what was going on.
Several police officers were running around and a woman was sitting by our neighbor's door. She was crying out loud and seemed quite distraught.
After a few moments, I was able find out that our neighbor Dave was dead. This woman had found his body, and he had probably been dead for a day or two in his apartment. Eventually, I overheard a medical person speculating that the man had died of low blood sugar because of his diabetes.
Dave was a nice neighbor. He let us borrow a hammer twice and let us use his microwave to pop popcorn. On sunny days, he would sit outside his apartment and chat with us as we were coming and going from our house. We had only known him a couple of weeks, but we were starting to become friends with him.
I was disturbed by his death. Not only was it sudden and shocking, but I also couldn't help thinking about his body just a few feet away in the next apartment. What if he hadn't been found until we reported a bad smell to our landlady....!
It's crazy how easily people can die. One day you know them and the next... they're gone.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
I was at home writing my articles two days ago, but I heard someone crying outside my door. Not that I'm a heartless person, but I was really trying to get my work done and I just ignored it and kept writing. The crying continued and then there were sirens and finally I stepped outside to see what was going on.
Posted by Jessio at 9:56 AM
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Perspective of a Year.
After my first full Wednesday (the day that's longer than the rest because it includes my biology lab) I'm feeling tired but pleased. My classes are not too difficult and I should be able to get pretty good grades this semester.
Yesterday I pulled out my journal and started to write for the first time in several months. Because I barely wrote at all last year, I spent quite a while summarizing my entire 2009, and it was an interesting thing to do. Writing about an entire year in one go gives you such a sense of perspective! It's like writing the timeline for a novel-- I know that things are going to get worse before they get better, and I know that things will actually work out when I'm in my darkest moments. When I was writing about my trials, I kept thinking, "It was bad, but then I was blessed. Hang in there!" It was an interesting exercise, and I recommend it for people who are not normally journal-writers.
Journal-writing is valuable on a daily basis because it keeps the record so immediate. But while you're right in the middle of things, sometimes your view is limited too much to recognize your own growth. You can't see clearly what you're actually experiencing.
But after a year when you can stop and look back, life looks different than it did then.
It's kind of cool.
Posted by Jessio at 2:36 PM
Monday, January 18, 2010
"Because I Have Been Given Much"
As a quick note here: we met some wonderful people at church yesterday who happened to have a lot of extra furniture just sitting in storage, and we were given some today to fill up our previously empty house! We now have a couch, a table with three chairs, and a bed with box springs! Now our house is starting to look like someone actually lives here. I'm actually writing this blog at our table.
I still have to write a bunch of articles tonight and Paul has to write a paper... so I cannot spare more time for this post. It's nice to be here.
Posted by Jessio at 4:33 PM
Saturday, January 16, 2010
An account of my homeless month.
So I've finally gotten back to the blog!
It's like walking away from a novel and then deciding I just have to get back to my writing again. I mean, sure, I have all sorts of good excuses for not writing for over a month (driving 3000 miles across the country, visiting Paul's family in California and my family in Utah, moving into our new apartment, and dealing with the endless bureaucratic mumbo jumbo of transferring to a new school, etc.) but the fact is that I wanted to have something to say before I started writing, and I just couldn't bring myself to sit down until I could think of something to say.
I'm sure this is one of my chief problems as a writer. It's like I want it to be fantastic whenever I put a pen to paper (metaphorically here). I want the words to be brilliant, to reflect the genius I know is in there somewhere, and really I just want to be impressive.
But let's throw "impressive" out the door right now. Really, it's ridiculous. Writing is quite simply work, especially for me now that I'm trying to establish myself as a free lancer. I'm sure I'll have something to say many times in the future, so now I'll just report about my life in whatever prose come rolling out of me.
It was nice to visit family. Our parents love us so much, and I loved being able to spend time with them. I loved seeing my rapidly-growing nephews and bonding with my sisters (encompassing Sara and all the many sister-in-laws). I've decided that having sisters is one of the best and sweetest things in life. They really are a gift from God!
It was also fun visiting friends. We got to visit our old landlord Lance in Laguna Beach. It was beautiful to stand looking at the sun set over the ocean while we caught up with him about our lives. When we were passing through St. George, my friend Melanie called and said she was in Salt Lake on her way down to Cedar City. We met in the middle in Fillmore at an Arby's and I loved, loved, loved seeing her!
We spent one day in Provo and were able to visit some of our dear friends there, the Camaras and the Heftels. All of their kids have grown impressively since August. It's exciting to see, but I'm ambivalent about the whole thing. Kids grow too fast!
Which reminds me, of course. We also had fun staying with friends on the way from Georgia to California. The Royles took care of us when we were sick and we stopped in Alabama to visit my cousin Charsty. We hadn't seen each other in years, so it was a wonderful time and I was persuaded to stay another day at her house. Paul got along great with her husband and their little girl Akira was one of the most amazing children I have had the pleasure to meet. Charsty was two weeks from having a baby and I've just been looking at pictures of little Aurora on Facebook. I guess that means the birth went well! The Galbraiths were wonderful in Missouri, although we only got to see two of their boys. In Denver we stayed with Lindsay and Nick again, and I was happy to have some time to talk with them. Then we spent one night in Sigurd, Utah with Paul's great Aunt and Uncle on their farm.
This post is long enough already, but I did want to mention a couple of highlights. In California, Paul's brother Jonathon and his wife Candice took us to see Avatar, and it became one of my favorite movies! In Vernal, my parents gave Paul a board game called Ticket to Ride and we played that game quite a bit. Mom loved it especially! We also got to go ice fishing with my mom and dad, which was awesome.
So considering that it was a "homeless" month, it was not bad at all. People are the most important things we have in life and being able to build relationships is really the great task of life, I think. Writing about all these people who I love so much makes me want to be a better friend to them all.
I'm so happy to be here in Kansas, and I feel like this is going to be a good place for us!
Posted by Jessio at 1:45 PM


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Lake Rock Triptych
Lake Rock Triptych
50"x63" (each panel 50"x20") Mixed media on cotton, hand quilted. Anodized aluminum hanging bars fit into sleeves on back of work (invisible from front when hung)
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Original one-of-a-kind mixed media works from the artist's "COMPLEXITY", "OLD STONES", and "PORTALS" series. All works consist of digitally manipulated photography, pigment-printed on cotton or silk and hand quilted. All are ready to hang. Click on image for larger view and product details. Click once again to enlarge.
To view additional information about these series, click here.
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text: Respiratory Cases I 25 yo male fire victim Chart B.P. Auscultate Tests Diagnose Click To Take Blood Pressure (use headphones or speakers) Enter Blood Pressure Systolic Diastolic Table of Contents Introduction 122 yo male, spinal fracture 259 yo male, emergency dyspnea 319 mo female, cough & shortness of breath 458 yo female, post-surgical 525 yo male fire victim 634 yo male car crash victim 769 yo female, acute care 851 yo female, malaise & dyspnea < Back Next > Today's Score 0 correct out of 0 attempted. Pulmonary Problem Solving - I Pulmonary Problem Solving - II Pulmonary Problem Solving - III


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Criminal cases
This information was the most current on file in criminal division of Marion County District Court as of Dec. 14. Information often is not available until more than a week after hearings. Journal entries must be checked by the defense, prosecution, and judge before they are filed.
Robert Scott Henderson, 602 E. 5th St., Peabody; first amended complaint filed Dec. 11; charged with assault, criminal restraint, and domestic battery.
Barbara D. Hermosillo, 131 S. Taft No. 17, McPherson; made first appearance Dec. 12 on charges of possession of an hallucinogenic drug (marijuana), possession of drug paraphernalia, and permitting an unauthorized minor to drive; motion to suppress hearing set for Dec. 13.
Andrew S. Odle, 211 N. Spruce St., Peabody; made first appearance Dec. 12 on charges of non-residential burglary and misdemeanor theft; preliminary hearing set for Jan. 4.
Daniel W. Vickery, 2517 Unicorn Road, Lincolnville; first amended information filed Dec. 11; charged with driving while license canceled, suspended, or revoked and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Last modified Dec. 20, 2012


text: 09 Dec 2013 10:30 Etihad Cargo, part of UAE flag carrier Etihad Airways, has posted an all-time record for the amount of freight carried on its network. In November, Etihad Cargo moved 49,700 tons of cargo around the world, the most it has ever carried in one month, and up 52 per cent (32,663 tons) on the same period last year. This surpassed the previous month of October, where cargo carried totalled an impressive 45,830 tons, up 39 per cent (32,891 tons) year on year. The figures reflect Etihad Cargo's continued upward momentum in what has been a record year to date. Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways' Chief Strategy and Planning Officer, said: "These impressive figures have been driven largely by stronger performance into and out of some of our larger markets including China and India, as well as expanding markets such as the Netherlands and the United States. "The record performance is also a reflection of strong demand in the final quarter, improved capacity utilisation on our freighter fleet, more cargo in the bellyhold of our passenger aircraft, and enhancements at our Abu Dhabi hub through subsidiary Etihad Airport Services – Cargo. Etihad Cargo's Abu Dhabi hub had its best ever performance in November, where over the top five days it processed an average of 3,000 tons per day – a new record. Mr Knight concluded: "Looking ahead, we expect to maintain strong freight performance over the final month of 2013." Get in touch with us. Contact us Let us know what you think Send feedback Join our community Etihad Facebook Watch our latest videos Etihad YouTube Follow us Etihad Airways


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Friday, February 3, 2012
New Life for Nightstands
46 comments:
- Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...
They turned out beautifully, Kristen! Thanks for the tip on adding water to the second coat going on. The brush strokes can be a pain.
- Fri Feb 03, 10:14:00 PM 2012
- Rosemary@villabarnes said...
You did a great job on the stands. Love the colors you used.
- Fri Feb 03, 10:14:00 PM 2012
- Fri Feb 03, 10:47:00 PM 2012
- Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...
So pretty! I love the way you tied in the black with your accessories - especially the fun striped bowl!
- Fri Feb 03, 10:51:00 PM 2012
- Squirrelhaus said...
I just found your blog!!! I love what you did with these night stands!!!! Absolutely wonderful!!!
Newest follower, from the frozen land of Alaska!
Chris :o)
- Sat Feb 04, 12:59:00 AM 2012
- Traci said...
I have always like blue, white and black together but I never thought about painting a piece of furniture with all three. But I will now, I love how you did these end tables and the black and white accessories were fantastic.
Thanks for sharing,
- Sat Feb 04, 02:08:00 AM 2012
- sissie said...
These turned out so cute. I love how you used the different tones of paints.
- Sat Feb 04, 06:28:00 AM 2012
- Teresa@oursoutherncountryhomeandfarm said...
What a great find, and they turned out beautiful! The duck egg is one of my favorite colors in the ASCP.
- Sat Feb 04, 07:03:00 AM 2012
- Pamela said...
Those turned out beautifully!
- Sat Feb 04, 07:10:00 AM 2012
Beautiful! You've done a lovely job and you've decorated them very well too - gorgeous!
- Sat Feb 04, 07:20:00 AM 2012
- Andrea said...
amazing how different they look. I love them!
- Sat Feb 04, 10:11:00 AM 2012
- dee dee said...
I would have never guessed that they were the same seeing the before and afters! They turned out fantastic! Creative and inspirational!
Dee dee
- Sat Feb 04, 12:40:00 PM 2012
- Cindy said...
Pretty! I love the color and you did a great job! XO Cindy
- Sat Feb 04, 01:18:00 PM 2012
- Peggy~PJH Designs said...
Love how they turned out and I especially love that duck egg blue. Great job and thanks for the inspiration. I'm a new follower. :-)
- Sat Feb 04, 02:09:00 PM 2012
- Cynthia said...
Very nice! The pulls look great painted!
- Sat Feb 04, 05:27:00 PM 2012
- Beth said...
What a great color combo & such a good tip on adding water to the chalk paint. I'll have to remember that!
- Sat Feb 04, 07:57:00 PM 2012
- charm home said...
These are so adorable! I love them. You did such a great job. xoxo, Cristi
- Sat Feb 04, 08:41:00 PM 2012
- Miss Charming said...
Love the nightstands. (You're a talented stylist, too!)
- Sun Feb 05, 09:06:00 PM 2012
- Kristi said...
So pretty...what a transformation! Love the color you chose and that basket underneath is fantastic. Would be delighted for you to link up to Mop It Up Mondays: http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/02/mop-it-up-mondays-party-2.html
new follower Kristi
- Sun Feb 05, 09:52:00 PM 2012
- Jenn said...
These turned out so cute!
- Sun Feb 05, 10:19:00 PM 2012
- Tammy of {Tattered and Timeless} said...
They look awesome Kristen. You sure are getting a lot done. Way more than I am - so your booth at Cameron will be much fuller :) Guess I'd better get to work right?
- Mon Feb 06, 07:46:00 AM 2012
- Jan@southernjunkin' said...
Cute, cute! Love the color choices! Visiting from Sunday's Best! Drop by for a visit sometime! I'm one of your newest friends!
- Mon Feb 06, 04:47:00 PM 2012
- Sue@Uniquely Chic said...
Love these and I love the accessories you used to pull them together!
- Mon Feb 06, 06:24:00 PM 2012
- andrea said...
Just fabulous staging on this! The black and white neutrals paired with teh aqua is a very modern yet traditional color selection... perfect for an update! Little clock is too cute! andrea@townandprairie
- Mon Feb 06, 08:19:00 PM 2012
- Mid-Atlantic Martha said...
Oh what wonderful transformations! Love those soft colors.
- Mon Feb 06, 08:48:00 PM 2012
- chateau chic said...
Such cute tables. Love the black accents!
Mary Alice
- Mon Feb 06, 10:12:00 PM 2012
- Rachelle @ Adventures in Creating said...
What an amazing transformation! I love the bold color choice and how you styled the dresses. Cute!
- Tue Feb 07, 09:53:00 AM 2012
- Kahli said...
I love these! That color is lovely. Great job :)
- Tue Feb 07, 04:31:00 PM 2012
- Swede Dreamer said...
These look amazing! I just purchased my first can of ASCP in that same color and have been loving it!! Thanks for the inspiration!
- Tue Feb 07, 04:49:00 PM 2012
- Cassie @ Primitive & Proper said...
those are gorgeous! love the two toned look on these and the basket added below!
- Tue Feb 07, 08:03:00 PM 2012
- Full Circle Creations said...
I love, love, love those night stands. You did a beautiful job.
- Tue Feb 07, 09:18:00 PM 2012
- Shelia said...
Love how your little tables turned out! Such a pretty color and love the accent of white!
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
- Tue Feb 07, 10:38:00 PM 2012
- Kristi said...
I'm so happy you were able to stop by & link these up! They're just so fabulous.
- Wed Feb 08, 12:06:00 AM 2012
- Kimberly said...
These are just beautiful! I love the color combination you chose.
Please stop by and link this to my new linky party:
- Wed Feb 08, 07:00:00 AM 2012
- Maria said...
What beauties!!!! Love the paint you used and LOVE the striped bowl! I've been looking for a statement bowl like that!
- Thu Feb 09, 09:54:00 PM 2012
- cathy@my1929charmer said...
Love them, went from boring to beautiful. Love your color combination each one complement the other. Love the basket and striped bowl. Thanks so much for sharing your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best Par.tay! PS - now following you on Facebook!
- Fri Feb 10, 10:40:00 AM 2012
- Katie said...
I love the new look! They turned out great! I featured them today!
- Sat Feb 11, 04:04:00 PM 2012
- Handbags*N*Pigtails said...
Not only do I love what you did with the tables but your staging items are fabulous...esp that huge striped bowl. Do you have a source for it?
Found you through Craptastics Friday linkup:)
- Sun Feb 12, 08:15:00 AM 2012
- the green dresser said...
Love these little tables! I have this color (almost exactly) all throughtout my home! Great job new friend!
{The Green Dresser}
- Tue Feb 14, 09:44:00 AM 2012
- Kim G. said...
I love these! Just lovely!!
- Fri Feb 17, 11:57:00 AM 2012
- RedeFIND said...
Those tables turned out really beautiful!
- Wed Feb 22, 09:34:00 PM 2012
- Jenny@thelavendermagnolia said...
Those are the exact nightstands that I had growing up. My niece has them now or I would be tempted to steal your idea! Lovely!
- Wed Aug 29, 05:32:00 PM 2012
- Unknown said...
- Thu Sep 27, 08:48:00 PM 2012
- Tiffany said...
Saw this on pinterest, the tie in with accessories was very well done!
- Wed Dec 19, 04:13:00 PM 2012
Your nightstands there are super cute, so very well done and I've got this linked to my DIY nightstands post too today!
- Mon Mar 25, 10:01:00 AM 2013
- Peggy Pace said...
these tables turned out great. I love them!!
- Mon Aug 04, 08:25:00 PM 2014


text:
The sanctuary is open to the public between 12 & 3pm Tuesday to Sunday. We are closed on Mondays
Sugar is a handsome 5 year old boy who would like a large, quiet home with a new wife bun.
Contact Us: Pine Tree Farm, London Road, Little Irchester, Northamptonshire, NN8 2EH
Telephone: 01933 278080
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
The sanctuary is open to the public between 12 & 3pm Tuesday to Sunday, we are closed on Mondays.
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text:
Ah… that annoying cellulite. I have to say that I think it's literally a nightmare for very many women. As you know, it doesn't hurt anyone to have it, just doesn't look all that hot.
Speaking of that… what does cellulite look like?
Well, it's pretty easy to spot it once you have it. It usually shows on your thighs or your butt and makes you feel really strange in that new, sexy bathing suite you just got.
When you grab the area of your skin where you have cellulite and squeeze it a little, you'll most likely see little dimples on the surface of your skin. That's how you tell you have it.
This condition only happens in women, although, very rarely, guys can get it as well. When they do, it's usually due to some other illness not related to the cellulite at all.
Again, as I mentioned before, a little cellulite is not really a problem. It's just a portion of fat that has gotten to close to the skin, and so, you can actually kind of see it. That fat should be in your body, just a little lower and the fact that it's a bit close to the skin does not create any problems for your health.
Some people claim that cellulite is related to being overweight, but that's not really the case. It's not uncommon for people who are actually even a bit underweight to have cellulite. The fact is that everyone has some fat in their body so everyone can have cellulite.
So, we've talked about what causes it and what it looks like, let's now focus on how to fight it.
1. Diet.
Obviously. Now, if you're underweight and dealing with cellulite, I would really go and see a professional before you start putting less food into yourself. Generally speaking, diet that's low in fats and a good workout program will help greatly.
2. Creams and pastes.
There are several different types of creams available at your local drug store or through ebay and amazon that will help you smoothen your skin up as well as soften it a little which will in effect result in the lack of visible cellulite. The ingredients that those things also have in common will speed up the way your body deals with fat so it won't store that easily in your body.
3. The fun part…
Well… the last method I wanted to mention to you is wrapping. What happens is you get a massage and your body is brushed. Then they wrap you into things soaked with herbal substances or mud. Very relaxing. Very helpful for cellulite.


text:
I'm reading Christian Thorne's book, The Dialectic of Counter-Enlightenment. The book is, essentially, a history of anti-foundationalism (more broadly known as skepticism or post-modernism).
Contemporary anti-foundationalism is rampant—for example, consider recent skepticism about global warming, child vaccination, and evolution—and it's easy to think that the counter-enlightenment is a relatively new phenomenon. However, Christian Thorne points out in the introduction of his book that the counter-enlightenment movement has existed as long as the enlightenment movement—the counter-enlightenment has been the dark shadow of the enlightenment. The enlightenment has not been a constant march towards knowledge, but rather a fitful cycle of awakening and forgetting. Consider this quote from Thorne's introduction:
The period's conventional history designations, for England as for Western Europe more generally, seem to tell a single story: the Renaissance, the Revival of Learning, the Great Renewal, the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, the Age of Reason. These names all conceive of Europe's early modernity as a philosophical awakening. . . and yet there is something curious about these terms all the same, since on a second look, they don't so much tell a single story as they tell the same story over and over again. These designations, after all, may all come under the umbrella of early modernity, but they don't really refer to the same period at all. Reduced to their historical caricatures, they name distinct, if marginally overlapping, blocks of time: the fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Renaissance (extended in England to the civil wars), the squarely seventeenth-century Scientific Revolution, the eighteenth-century Enlightenment. And what's strange is this: these aren't merely terms from intellectual history, christening each century after its distinctive doctrine of world view. Each term suggests that its period was *newly* intellectual, *newly* philosophical, that knowledge began *then and there*, or at least began anew—as though knowledge needed first to be reborn, then revised, then renewed, then revolutionized, and only then, slowly, would enlightenment dawn. These terms, arranged in series, suggest less the triumphant emergence of reason than an embarrassing intellectual fitfulness, less a scholarly awakening than a philosophical narcolepsy, so that we must imagine Europe dozing off, repeatedly, only to freshly awake after each new nodding.


text:
STATE—Education Commissioner Bret Schundler today released the 2010 Comparative Spending Guide, an annual statistical report that details local school spending and ranks school districts in 14 spending categories.
"The department makes this guide available every year so that citizens can make informed decisions as school budgets are created, debated and voted upon at the local level," Schundler said. "In this year of very limited resources, it is imperative that district officials and citizens closely examine the use of every education dollar.
"The guide allows people to compare districts' efficiency, but it is important to note that the guide is about spending patterns, not academic achievement. It does not attempt to make any correlation between expenditures and academic achievement," the commissioner said.
Schundler noted that the calculations in the guide do not include types of spending that are not common to all districts, such as transportation, tuition and capital expenditures.
"It also does not include dollars expended by the state on behalf of districts, such as pension and FICA payments, extraordinary education spending and debt service," the commissioner said.
The Comparative Spending Guide can be found online at: http://www.state.nj.us/education/guide/2010/
In the document, school districts of similar size are compared with each other. The groups are K-6; K-8 (with subgroupings of enrollments from 0-399, 400-750; and more than 750); K-12 (with subgroupings of enrollments from 0-1,799, 1,800 to 3,500, and more than 3,500); grades 7-12 and 9-12; county special services, county vocational schools; and charter schools.
Districts are listed alphabetically and are ranked low to high in spending for each of three years, within their subgroups.
Each category, or indicator, shows cost data for three years on a per pupil basis. Each staffing indicator contains two years of data.
The total per pupil cost indicator reflects all spending common to school districts and includes total current expense spending for early childhood education programs, special education, bilingual education, supplemental instruction, county vocational schools and adult and post-secondary education.
As noted earlier, statistics on certain types of spending that can differ significantly from one district to the next – such as transportation, tuition and capital expenditures – are not included in the guide.
The CSG comparative average cost per pupil is $13,835 for the 2009-2010 school year, up 4.3 percent from the average cost in the previous year. This is slightly more than the average increase in the previous year, which was 3.4%.
"It is important to note that this is the cost per pupil based on the CSG elements, not the total cost per pupil," Schundler said. (Actual cost-per-pupil numbers can be found in the State Report Card for each district.)
Classroom instructional costs average $8,113 per pupil this year, for an increase of 3.6%. Instructional costs make up about 59% of districts' average per pupil costs.
Support services, such as guidance and nursing services, average $2,169 per pupil this year, an increase of about 6% since last year. This category showed the greatest increase, but still accounts for about 15.5% of the districts' total cost per pupil.
Administrative costs showed the slowest rate of increase at 2.4%. On average, administrative costs are about $1,453 per pupil, making up about 2.5% of districts' total costs per pupil.
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Looking for design inspiration? Browse our curated collections!
Image Size
The image is near the edges of the product but doesn't cover the entire product. Some of the background color may appear around the outside edges of the image.
Background Color
Our luxuriously soft beach towels are made from brushed microfiber with a 100% cotton back for extra absorption. The top of the towel has the image printed on it, and the back is white cotton. Our beach towels are available in two different sizes: beach towel (32" x 64") and beach sheet (37" x 74").
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August 19th, 2019
Melissa Benda
August 18th, 2019
Joshua Thomas
August 17th, 2019
Original oil painting produced on stretched 120cm x 40cm canvas using a knife, mixing only on the canvas using a limited colour palette.Prints may be purchased here. Signed prints and certain originals may also be purchased via my website: R Young Art
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text:
1. The BMW X5 xDrive40e.
The first plug-in hybrid production car from the BMW core brand is a Sports Activity Vehicle. Permanent all-wheel drive and the BMW EfficientDynamics eDrive technology endow the BMW X5 xDrive40e with sensational sportiness and supreme poise on the one hand and outstanding efficiency on the other. With a total system output of 230 kW/313 hp generated by a four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and a synchronous electric motor, the BMW X5 xDrive40e achieves a combined fuel consumption of 3.4 – 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres (83.1 – 85.6 mpg imp) and a combined electricity consumption of 15.4 – 15.3 kWh over the same distance. CO2 emissions come in at 78 – 77 grams per kilometre (figures according to EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles, may vary depending on the tyre format specified).
The use of BMW eDrive technology for exceptionally efficient performance as well as all-electric mobility with zero tailpipe emissions as and when required ushers in a whole new form of commanding driving experience in a sports activity vehicle. At the same time, the BMW X5 xDrive40e reaps the benefits of the technology and know-how transferred from the debut of the BMW i cars. The BMW i8 blazes a trail for sustainable driving pleasure with plug-in hybrid drive power, which can now also be enjoyed for the first time in a model from the BMW core brand.
Lithium-ion battery with flexible charging options, typical SAV versatility and an exclusive ambience. The energy for the electric motor integrated in the 8-speed Steptronic transmission is drawn from a lithium-ion battery, which also supplies power to the low-voltage battery for the 12V electrical system aboard the BMW X5 xDrive40e via a voltage transformer. It can be recharged by connecting to any standard domestic power socket or a BMW i Wallbox, as well as at public charging stations. To save space the high-voltage battery is housed underneath the luggage compartment floor, where it is also particularly well protected in the event of a crash. With 500 – 1,720 litres of luggage space, a three-part folding rear backrest and a luxuriously designed interior, the BMW X5 xDrive40e also boasts the high versatility associated with a large sports activity vehicle but blended with an exclusive ambience. Intelligent powertrain control and eDrive button for intense hybrid driving and mobility with zero local emissions. The actual driving experience is likewise characterised by versatile and effortless performance. The intelligent hybrid powertrain control ensures that the engine and the electric motor act in unison in a way that optimises efficiency while also catering perfectly to the driver's wishes. The eDrive button on the centre console allows the driver to adjust the hybrid drive's operating mode. In the AUTO eDrive basic setting, the engine's power is boosted to noticeable effect when accelerating or during quick bursts of speed by the electric drive, whose full torque of 250 Newton metres (184 lb-ft) is on tap from standstill for instantaneous power delivery. The BMW X5 xDrive40e completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.8 seconds.
Alternatively, the MAX eDrive mode can be engaged, enabling the BMW X5 xDrive40e to run purely on electric power – when driving in urban traffic for instance – resulting in zero local emissions. When the high-voltage battery is fully charged, the vehicle has a range of up to 31 kilometres (approx. 19 miles) in the all-electric drive mode with a limited maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph). The SAVE Battery mode can also be activated at the touch of a button, causing the high-voltage battery's state of charge to be maintained or allowing energy to be accumulated again, e.g. by means of recuperation, if capacity is low. In this way, electrical energy can be deliberately conserved for all-electric driving later in the journey.
Regardless of the setting chosen with the eDrive button, the power stemming from both drive sources is permanently transmitted to the road via the intelligent all-wheel-drive system, BMW xDrive. The various vehicle set-ups that can be selected with the Driving Experience Control switch – COMFORT, SPORT and ECO PRO – are also available in all drive modes.
Hybrid-specific products and services from BMW ConnectedDrive and BMW 360° ELECTRIC. All of the driver assistance systems and mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive offered as standard or as optional extras for the BMW X5 are also available to provide enhanced driving pleasure in the model variant with eDrive technology. An intelligent energy management function is also offered as a special model-specific feature that can be used in conjunction with the Navigation system Professional which is fitted as standard in the BMW X5 xDrive40e. Whenever route guidance is active, data on the route profile is factored into powertrain control along with real-time traffic information. When driving medium to long distances, the system can therefore ensure it is possible to drive purely on electric power on urban sections by using Brake Energy Regeneration and managing the high-voltage battery's energy reserves in a targeted and efficient manner. The hybrid-specific version of the BMW Remote app makes it possible to check the high-voltage battery's state of charge, locate public charging stations or call up efficiency evaluations for the BMW X5 xDrive40e on a smartphone. The auxiliary heating and ventilation functions can also be activated remotely.
The BMW i Wallbox Pure and BMW i Wallbox Pro, including installation service, are available for home charging as part of the BMW 360° ELECTRIC concept, offering customers a particularly fast and convenient means of recharging the high-voltage battery while parked. Model-specific assistance services are also available. The ChargeNow service provides cash-free access to an extensive partner network of charging stations and billing of the charging costs with the ChargeNow card. The mobility service ParkNow Longterm, meanwhile, makes it easier to find a parking space or locate and book a parking spot with charging facilities.
Wide-ranging equipment options. The comprehensive standard specification of the BMW X5 on the plug-in hybrid model is extended to include the Navigation system Professional as well as an auxiliary heating and ventilation system. This is powered by electricity from the high-voltage battery or from the mains supply while charging. The BMW X5 xDrive40e additionally comes equipped as standard with the Adaptive Suspension Package Comfort including rear air suspension and Dynamic Damper Control.
Beyond this, practically all the optional extras offered for the BMW X5 can also be specified for the plug-in hybrid model. The Design Pure Experience and Pure Excellence packages for the exterior and interior are also available for the BMW X5 xDrive40e, as are the M Sport package and the bespoke features from BMW Individual.
Further information on official fuel consumption figures, specific CO2 emission values and the electric power consumption of new passenger cars is included in the following guideline: "Leitfaden über Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen" (Guideline for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption of new passenger cars), which can be obtained from all dealerships, from the Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at http://www.dat.de/en/offers/publications/guideline-for-fuel-consumption.html. LeitfadenCO2 (GuidelineCO2) (PDF ? 2.7 MB)
2. At a glance.
Positioning and market launch: • The BMW Group is presenting the first ever plug-in hybrid production car from the BMW core brand. • Supreme traction and sporty performance thanks to BMW xDrive permanent all-wheel drive, even in all-electric drive mode, exceptional efficiency underpinned by BMW EfficientDynamics eDrive technology. • BMW X5 xDrive40e sports activity vehicle as a forward-looking blend of versatility and luxurious ambience with cutting-edge drive technology transferred from the development of BMW i cars. • Can be ordered with almost the entire range of optional extras available for the BMW X5, including Design Pure Excellence and Pure Experience exterior and interior packages, the M Sport package and options from BMW Individual. • European market launch starts in autumn 2015.
Technical features: • BMW X5 xDrive40e: four-cylinder in-line petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology (TwinScroll turbocharger , High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing, Double-VANOS); capacity: 1,997 cc, output: 180 kW/245 hp at 5,000 – 6,500 rpm, max. torque: 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) at 1,250 – 4,800 rpm; synchronous electric motor integrated in 8-speed Steptronic transmission, maximum output*: 83 kW/113 hp at 3,170 rpm, max. torque: 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) at 0 rpm; max. system output: 230 kW/313 hp, max. system torque: 450 Nm (332 lb-ft), acceleration [0 – 100 km/h / 62 mph]: 6.8 seconds, top speed: 210 km/h (130 mph) (electronically limited), top speed on electric power: 120 km/h (75 mph, electronically limited), electric range**: up to 31 km (approx. 19 miles), average consumption**: 3.4 – 3.3 litres/100 km (83.1 – 85.6 mpg imp), 15.4 – 15.3 kWh/100 km, CO2 emissions**: 78 – 77 g/km, exhaust standard: EU6.
* According to ECE R-85 ** Figures according to EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles, may vary depending on the tyre format specified.
• Lithium-ion high-voltage battery with 96 cells and a capacity of 9.0 kWh. • High-voltage battery located underneath the luggage compartment floor with a slight reduction in luggage capacity (500 – 1,720 litres). • High-voltage battery can be charged from standard domestic power sockets; BMW i Wallbox also available as part of the BMW 360° ELECTRIC concept along with model-specific services and Assistance Services; ChargeNow mobility service offers simple access to and straightforward use of public partner charging stations; ParkNow Longterm mobility service makes it easy to find parking spaces either with or without charging facilities.
Driving dynamics and driving experience: • eDrive button for programming the hybrid character and selecting the modes AUTO eDrive, MAX eDrive and SAVE Battery. • Driving Experience Control switch for activating the vehicle set-up modes COMFORT, SPORT and ECO PRO. • In conjunction with the standard Navigation system Professional, intelligent energy management featuring an anticipatory powertrain strategy that takes the route profile, traffic situation and drive mode into account in order to make efficient use of the battery's remaining capacity and maximise the distance driven purely on electric power with zero local emissions. • BMW X5 xDrive40e with model-specific chassis tuning, plus Dynamic Damper Control and self-levelling rear air suspension as standard.
3. BMW xDrive meets BMW eDrive:
A Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) from BMW is once again pointing the way ahead to a highly innovative form of driving pleasure. The BMW X5 xDrive40e is the first plug-in hybrid production car from the BMW core brand. It expertly combines the versatility and luxurious ambience of a large SAV model with the superb traction offered by the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system as well as BMW EfficientDynamics eDrive technology for exemplary efficiency.
The intelligently controlled interaction between the combustion engine and the electric drive, which together generate a system output of 230 kW/313 hp, endows the BMW X5 xDrive40e with exceptionally dynamic acceleration while also substantially cutting fuel consumption and emissions in everyday driving. It returns a combined fuel consumption of 3.4 – 3.3 litres for every 100 kilometres (83.1 – 85.6 mpg imp) and a combined electricity consumption of 15.4 – 15.3 kWh. CO2 emissions come in at 78 – 77 grams per kilometre (figures according to EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles, may vary depending on the tyre format specified).
Drive duo and permanent all-wheel drive for trademark driving pleasure and maximum efficiency. Thanks to its duo of drive units, the intelligent hybrid powertrain control and permanent all-wheel drive, the BMW X5 xDrive40e promises utterly effortless performance and supreme efficiency out on the road. Its drive system comprises a four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and a synchronous electric motor integrated in the 8-speed Steptronic transmission. The lithium-ion high-voltage battery pack can be topped up with mains electricity from any standard domestic power socket or – particularly quickly, safely and conveniently – from the BMW i Wallbox, as well as at public charging stations. The high-voltage battery, which also supplies power to the battery for the 12V electrical system via a voltage transformer, is housed underneath the luggage compartment floor, where it is particularly well protected in the event of a crash. The BMW X5 xDrive40e offers a luggage capacity of 500 – 1,720 litres. The standard charging cable can be stored in a hinged compartment under the luggage compartment floor. The plug-in hybrid model thus provides all the versatility associated with a large sports activity vehicle in terms of not just its driving qualities but also its levels of spaciousness.
The BMW X5 xDrive40e furthermore succeeds in fusing its versatility and supreme poise with a level of efficiency that simply places it in a class of its own. Short everyday journeys in urban areas can be easily completed with zero tailpipe emissions, while actual fuel consumption is reduced substantially when driving for distances of up to 25 kilometres (approx. 15 miles) in urban traffic. Capable of consuming between just zero and 3.0 litres of fuel for every 100 kilometres in such situations (zero consumption – 94.2 mpg imp), the BMW X5 xDrive40e sets new benchmarks for efficiency in its segment. On longer journeys, meanwhile, when both engine and motor need to be deployed, the powertrain system that has been systematically geared towards maximising efficiency keeps the fuel consumption and emissions figures far lower than in comparable models with similar power outputs. Assuming the high-voltage battery is fully charged, daily commutes of between 50 and 60 kilometres (approx. 30 – 37 miles) can therefore be completed in practice with a fuel consumption of no more than 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres (min. 43.5 mpg imp), depending on driving style. What's more, when the fuel tank is filled to its 85-litre capacity and the high-voltage battery pack is charged, the BMW X5 xDrive40e also boasts the customary long-distance capabilities for travelling on holiday, for example, when it still succeeds in keeping fuel consumption below the 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres mark (min. 25.7 mpg imp). The plug-in hybrid drive system aboard the BMW X5 xDrive40e thus produces major efficiency savings in everyday driving situations when compared to conventionally powered models in this segment.
BMW TwinPower Turbo and BMW eDrive technologies mated to perfection. The 2.0-litre internal combustion engine fitted in the BMW X5 xDrive40e has already won the coveted title of "International Engine of the Year" three times and features a TwinScroll turbocharger, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and variable camshaft control on both the intake and exhaust sides (Double-VANOS). The most powerful fourcylinder petrol unit in the BMW Group's engine portfolio stands out for its eager power delivery, delightfully free-revving performance and highly refined running characteristics. It generates a maximum output of 180 kW/245 hp and 350 Newton metres (258 lb-ft) of peak torque.
The electric motor puts an output of 83 kW/113 hp on tap, while its maximum torque of 250 Newton metres (184 lb-ft) is available from the word go in typical electric drive fashion. This has the effect of boosting the engine's output for thrilling, instantaneous responsiveness and power build-up with absolutely no delay when accelerating from stationary, as well as far more dynamic performance whenever a quick burst of speed is required. The BMW X5 xDrive40e completes the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in just 6.8 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph). In all-electric drive mode, meanwhile, the vehicle is capable of a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), again electronically limited.
BMW xDrive permanent all-wheel drive even in all-electric mode. The power stemming from the two drive units is transformed into effortless forward motion courtesy of the 8-speed Steptronic transmission and the BMW xDrive permanent all-wheel-drive system. The BMW X5 xDrive40e can be optionally equipped with shift paddles on the steering wheel, enabling the driver to swiftly make manual gear selections with the greatest of ease. Regardless of the proportion of drive power being sourced from the engine and motor respectively, xDrive ensures supreme traction in all weather and road surface conditions, together with optimised handling stability and increased agility when powering through corners. An electronically controlled multi-plate clutch provides the basis for fully variable distribution of the drive torque between the front and rear wheels. As it is linked up to the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), the xDrive system is furthermore capable of acting in advance to counter vehicle understeer or oversteer and to always direct drive power in such a way as to optimise the handling dynamics.
Driving Experience Control switch and eDrive button allow the vehicle set-up and powertrain control to be configured as desired. The eDrive button on the centre console lets the driver modify the powertrain control. When the vehicle is first started, the default AUTO eDrive setting is activated, with both engine and electric motor working highly efficiently in tandem. The electric motor alone is used for setting off with normal power requirements, while the engine cuts in at around 70 km/h (44 mph) or when the driver wishes to accelerate very sharply. In this mode, the intelligent operating strategy determines the most efficient drive combination at all times and switches to it automatically. The driver can also switch to the all-electric drive mode setting MAX eDrive, in which the vehicle is powered solely by the electric motor. This mode is designed for comfortable driving with zero local emissions without the engine being started, and offers a maximum range of 31 kilometres (approx. 19 miles) at a limited top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).
The third mode that can be activated is the SAVE Battery setting, which allows the driver to save or build up the high-voltage battery's energy reserves for a later point in time. When driving on the motorway, for instance, the state of charge can be kept constant or even boosted in order to use the highvoltage battery's power for all-electric driving in urban areas later in the journey. In this way, the stored electrical energy can be selectively deployed exactly when required.
The BMW X5 xDrive40e also comes as standard with a Driving Experience Control switch, just like the conventionally powered model variants of the sports activity vehicle. This can be used to activate the vehicle set-up modes COMFORT, SPORT and ECO PRO, which each have the effect of altering the throttle mapping, the steering characteristics, the responses of the 8-speed Steptronic transmission, as well as the characteristics of the Dynamic Damper Control included as standard on the BMW X5 xDrive40e. The ECO PRO mode furthermore triggers efficiency-optimised control of electrically powered comfort functions, such as the air conditioning, seat heating and heated mirrors. Besides this, when travelling on the overrun at speeds between 0 and 160 km/h (0 – 100 mph), the coasting function shuts off the engine, allowing the vehicle to glide along without burning any fuel.
The modes selectable with the eDrive button and the Driving Experience Control switch can be combined with one another at will, allowing the powertrain control and vehicle set-up to be tailored precisely to the prevailing situation and the driver's personal preferences. In this way, comfort, sportiness and efficiency can each be combined with high-intensity hybrid driving as desired.
Instrument cluster and Control Display with hybrid-specific readouts. The BMW X5 xDrive40e comes as standard with a black-panel instrument cluster which has had hybrid-specific functions added to its array of readouts. The drive readiness display positioned in the lower part of the engine rev counter switches from "OFF" to "READY" when the start/stop button is pressed. The high-voltage battery's state of charge is visualised in the form of a battery symbol below the gear display. The Driving Experience Control switch setting is also indicated, as is the operating mode selected with the eDrive button. Depending on the selected drive mode, information on the vehicle's electric and total range, current fuel or electricity consumption, recuperation of electrical energy in the high-voltage battery and the progress of vehicle charging can likewise all be shown in the instrument cluster.
Model-specific menu options and readouts are also available in the iDrive operating system's Control Display. An energy flow display can be called up while on the move, illustrating in graphical form the interaction between combustion engine and electric motor as well as how energy is being fed to the high-voltage battery. Charging of the battery from the mains power supply can also be controlled from the iDrive menu. A timer function is available for this purpose, which can factor in a planned departure time as entered by the driver. In addition to this, preconditioning of both the interior and the battery can be programmed in the iDrive menu as well. Timer-controlled cooling or heating ensures a pleasant temperature inside the passenger compartment ready for the start of the journey, while the high-voltage battery can also be cooled so that it is in an optimum operating state at the time of departure. The electrically powered auxiliary heating and ventilation function is also part of the standard specification on the BMW X5 xDrive40e. It can either run on mains electricity during vehicle charging or be powered by the high-voltage battery if it has sufficient capacity.
BMW X5 xDrive40e: a classic sports activity vehicle offering unique hybrid performance. Exclusive, bespoke design touches on the model's exterior clearly identify the BMW X5 xDrive40e as a classic sports activity vehicle while also making its unique hybrid capabilities plain to see. The most noticeable feature is the charging connection for the high-voltage battery located in the left front wing. Blue light effects also appear here at the start of the charging process to indicate the flow of energy. The exhaust system on the BMW X5 xDrive40e has a twin-tailpipe design with trapezoidal tips. Besides the model badge at the front of the vehicle's flanks, the "eDrive" logo already familiar from the BMW i models graces the tailgate, the door sill strips with their blue background colour, as well as the centre console.
Apart from Dynamic Damper Control, the standard specification for the BMW X5 xDrive40e also includes self-levelling rear air suspension. The 2-zone automatic climate control that features as standard on all BMW X5 model variants is extended to include an auxiliary heating and ventilation system comprising an electric instantaneous water heater and an electric refrigerant compressor. In addition to this, all of the optional extras from the BMW X5 range are available, with the exception of the third row of seats, the Adaptive Suspension Package Dynamic, Active Steering, the Multifunctional Instrument Display, comfort seats in the rear and the ski/snowboard bag. The BMW X5 xDrive40e can equally be specified with the Design Pure Experience or Design Pure Excellence packages for the exterior and interior to emphasise either the sports activity vehicle's robust, versatile nature or its exclusive, luxurious character. The plug-in hybrid model can also be ordered with the M Sport package and the bespoke features offered by BMW Individual.
The Navigation system Professional is another standard feature in the BMW X5 xDrive40e. The cruise control system with braking function and the Driving Assistant, both likewise included as standard, can be complemented by the wealth of BMW ConnectedDrive options on offer, including Driving Assistant Plus featuring Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Collision Warning with braking function and Traffic Jam Assistant, BMW Head-Up Display, the BMW Night Vision system with pedestrian and animal recognition as well as Dynamic Light Spot, Lane Change Warning, Parking Assistant, rear view camera, Surround View and Speed Limit Info including No Passing Info display. All driver assistance systems are also available when driving in all-electric mode. The Adaptive LED Headlights, Comfort Access, as well as the full selection of 19- and 20-inch light-alloy wheels, are available to order for the BMW X5 xDrive40e. 18-inch light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design are fitted as standard.
Highly versatile charging options as well – thanks to pioneering products and services from BMW 360° ELECTRIC. The plug-in hybrid design of the BMW X5 xDrive40e provides the ideal basis for extensive use of the electric drive system for highly efficient mobility, even including urban driving with zero tailpipe emissions. Its high-voltage battery offers a gross energy capacity of 9.0 kilowatt hours (kWh) and can be topped up with energy from any domestic power socket, from a Wallbox that has been designed for higher currents as well as at public charging stations. The standard charging cable can be kept in a compartment underneath the luggage compartment floor.
When hooked up to a conventional domestic power socket the highvoltage battery can be fully recharged from flat in around 3 hours and 50 minutes. A tailor-made solution for safe, simple and extra-fast battery charging at home is available for the BMW X5 xDrive40e under the umbrella of BMW 360° ELECTRIC. The BMW i Wallbox Pure is capable of replenishing the high-voltage battery at a charging rate of 3.5 kW (16 A/230 V). As a result, it takes 2 hours and 45 minutes to fully recharge an empty battery pack. Charging progress can be checked on a graphic displayed in the vehicle's instrument cluster or on a smartphone using the BMW Remote app. The home charging station comes in a second version, the BMW i Wallbox Pro, offering added convenience features. It comes equipped with a 7-inch colour monitor, whose user-friendly touchscreen indicates how vehicle charging is progressing as well as allowing customised settings to be made for load management and self-produced electricity. The data displayed on the monitor includes the quantity of energy supplied and information on preceding charge cycles.
Under the umbrella of BMW 360° ELECTRIC customers are offered an allembracing service concept covering everything from the supply and installation of the charging station to maintenance, advice and other services. There is also the ChargeNow service, comprising a ChargeNow card that grants straightforward access to partner charging stations and can also be used for convenient billing of the monthly energy costs. The ParkNow Longterm mobility service simplifies the task of finding a parking space in urban centres and also helps with finding and booking a parking spot with access to charging facilities. Beyond this, the BMW 360° ELECTRIC portfolio also comprises maintenance, assistance and other customer services that have been specially tailored to this model.
Innovative new functions from BMW ConnectedDrive furthermore help to plan journeys in such a way that the vehicle drives on electric power alone as much as possible and at maximum efficiency at all times. The Navigation system Professional fitted in the BMW X5 xDrive40e as standard gives drivers the option of calculating a hybrid-specific ECO PRO route to an entered destination, which makes allowance for factors such as the traffic situation, the route profile and driving style. The intelligent energy management function in the BMW X5 xDrive40e utilises the available data on the route profile for all navigation-assisted journeys anyway, together with real-time traffic information. This forms the basis for anticipatory and efficiency-optimised powertrain control that keeps fuel consumption as low as possible while making intensive use of electric mobility, for example when nearing the journey's destination. On a longer journey that goes through both rural and built-up areas, for instance, Brake Energy Regeneration can be employed and the engine's load points deliberately raised at higher speeds to ensure there are sufficient power reserves for completing the urban sections in all-electric drive mode. What's more, the locations of public charging stations are added to the selection of points of interest on the navigation map whenever route guidance is activated.
The BMW Remote app also comes in a hybrid-specific version and lets the driver retrieve information on the high-voltage battery's state of charge even when they are away from the vehicle by using a smartphone. The app also displays the location of public charging stations. Efficiency evaluations for the last journey completed can be viewed on the smartphone as well, along with the total distance driven purely on electric power and the amount of fuel saved by using mains electricity. The auxiliary heating and ventilation functions of the BMW X5 xDrive40e can similarly be activated remotely with the help of the BMW Remote app.
Production at the BMW Spartanburg plant: centre of excellence for BMW X models and hybrid technology. The BMW X5 xDrive40e is being produced at the BMW Spartanburg plant in the US state of South Carolina. This is where all other model variants of the sports activity vehicle are also built together with the BMW X6, BMW X3 and BMW X4 models. It has been over 15 years since the first-generation BMW X5 went into production, during which time this US plant has evolved into the global centre of excellence for BMW X models.
The BMW X5 xDrive40e is assembled in parallel with both the other model variants of the BMW X5 and the BMW X6 on a shared production line. Special assembly steps have been added to the manufacturing process for integrating the hybrid-specific components. The high-voltage battery is manufactured in a newly constructed production hall on the site of the BMW Spartanburg plant. All production processes are subject to the same strict quality and safety standards that the BMW Group applies worldwide. The BMW Spartanburg plant furthermore stands out for its extremely resourceefficient system of energy supply. It was here that the intelligent Energy Data Management System (iEDMS) with continuous and comparative power consumption measurement was first implemented. Moreover, a large part of the energy required for vehicle production is obtained from methane gas with the help of highly efficient turbine generators.


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How did you market NanoDays?
June 1, 2009
First, thanks to the folks who've contributed examples to the Kit Activities vs. Non-Kit Activities post.
Second, I have more questions. This time in reference to how you promoted NanoDays with your institution's PR team.
- How did you explain NanoDays to your PR team?
- What kinds of campaigns did you use to promote the event and excite people to come?
- Did you intentionally market different activities to different age groups?
- How effective were your campaigns? What would you do differently next time?
Login to answer any or all in the comments below. Feel free to provide links to webpages or materials you've used (or send them to firstname.lastname@example.com and I'll upload them for you.


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Photosensitivity from Medication
Is there a hypertension medication that does not have photosensitivity as a side effect?
I have been taking metoprolol and every summer I end up with an itchy rash if I am exposed to the sun. I read that this is a side effect of beta blockers.
Many of the available medicines used to treat high blood pressure can cause photosensitivity. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker. Most of the beta-blockers have been associated with a possible risk of photosensitivity. However, we were unable to find any reports of photosensitivity with atenolol or labetalol.
If your doctor thinks a beta-blocker is the best medicine for you, either of these would be a reasonable choice.
Photosensitivity has been reported as a side effect with all of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-inhibitors). These medicines include lisinopril, ramipril, and enalapril. There are currently about ten different ACE inhibitors on the market. All of their generic names end in pril, which may help you to identify them.
The thiazide diuretics are usually the first medicines we use to treat high blood pressure. These medicines include hydrochlorthiazide, chlorthalidone and several others. Photosensitivity has been associated with all of them.
Additionally, the thiazide diuretics are often combined with other blood pressure medicines, so it is important to know which medicines are combination products. These medicines usually have HCT in their name or end in retic i.e. Tenoretic. Photosensitivity has also been reported with the more potent "loop" diuretics, for example furosemide, bumetanide and others.
A newer group of medicines called the angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB)s, might be a reasonable choice. With the exception of Cozaar (losartan), these medicines have not been associated with photosensitivity so far. However, since they are newer medicines they trend to be more expensive. It is also possible that the lack of reports of photosensitivity is related to their relative newness.
Some other possible choices include clonidine and some of the calcium channel blockers. These medicines are available as generic medicines and should be effective and relatively inexpensive. Of the calcium channel blockers, either amlodipine or verapamil appear to be unlikely to cause photosensitivity reactions. Diltiazem has been associated with photosensitivity reactions in 1-2% of patients taking it and is probably not a good option.
Many patients need to take more than one medicine to control their high blood pressure. As a result, it may be necessary to take one of the medicines that cause photosensitivity to control your blood pressure. Work with your doctor to devise a treatment plan that works best for you. It may be necessary to limit sun exposure with more clothing, hats, sunscreens and staying out of the sun during the brightest times of the day. A pharmacist who knows you may be able to provide additional advice and assistance.
This response was prepared in part by Hani Blaih, a PharmD candidate at the NetWellness.org College of Pharmacy.
For more information:
Go to the Pharmacy and Medications health topic.


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March 08, 2010
As a senior at Duke University in the 1990's, California native Sterling Lanier ('02) felt that Durham, NC needed and deserved a Mexican restaurant. Sensing an opportunity, he and a friend opened a student-friendly watering hole called the Cosmic Cantina. The venue was a hit and remains one of the most popular bars in the Durham area.
"That's how I got my first taste of entrepreneurship," Lanier recalled recently. Although he sold his interest in the chain after a couple of years, he knew he wanted to continue as an entrepreneur. "That put me on the road to entrepreneurship and ultimately led me to Anderson," he said.
Moving to the Bay Area, Lanier joined a brand strategy firm called Tattoo and later moved to a firm called Prophet where he worked closely with author and consultant David Aaker. "He is kind of the brand guru and Prophet is now arguably the world's largest brand strategy firm," said Lanier. "That's where I cut my teeth."
"In order to create a brand strategy," he continued, "you need to conduct consumer research to understand the emotional levers you need to pull to create a compelling brand. At Prophet, I was disappointed with some of the vendors who did research for us, so one day I jumped in and moderated a focus group. From that time on, I did all my own consumer research, even though we weren't necessarily in that business."
Because of this experience, Lanier soon realized there was an opportunity to start a market research firm with a strategic point of view - but his first step was to earn an MBA from UCLA Anderson. "I went to Anderson because of the entrepreneurship focus," he recalled. "I took the courses offered by the Price Center and attended all of the lunch meetings where they brought in guest speakers. Listening to successful entrepreneurs had an enormous impact on me. It was just so helpful to see how what you learn in the classroom translates into the real world. It gives you confidence. These were humble guys who would say, 'Hey, I'm no smarter than you. You can do it, too.'"
So when Lanier graduated from UCLA Anderson in 2002, he stayed in Los Angeles and laid the groundwork for a new firm that he eventually named Chatter. "Some former clients from my consulting days called and wanted me to do some market research," he said. One of the first clients was a relatively-unknown videogame firm called Activision. Today, the firm is an industry leader.
Lanier explained that his clients often want to know how customers think a product or service can be improved. "Clients like Activision will ask us to help map out the future of their largest franchises, like Call of Duty or Guitar Hero," said Lanier. "So we'll go out and do a big round of qualitative research and a big round of quantitative research."
"What we do is try to get inside the minds of consumers," he continued. "On the qualitative side, we do a lot of traditional focus groups - but I'd say about 50 percent of the qualitative research we do is ethnographic in nature. We meet with customers in their native habitats to get a deeper and richer idea of the brand and environment. We call our approach 'consumer expeditions.'"
One of Chatter's techniques is called, "Table for Six." "If someone wants to know the state of their brand and where they should go next," said Lanier, "we'll throw dinner parties across the country and invite the firm's customers. We'll have the parties catered with good food and drink - and discuss how these people really feel about the brand. Or with categories like videogames, we might invite teenagers to a pizza party."
Lanier disagrees with those who say that customer research should be performed with groups of strangers. "That might be true with certain applications," he said, "but when you're dealing with products or services where word of mouth is a strong purchase influencer, it doesn't make sense to talk with people in isolation. Choices are often influenced by those around us - so why not take a holistic view of what drives motivations?"
"A good example is MTV," Lanier said. "We did a very big project about how teen influence works. How do teens influence each other - and what can MTV do to leverage that knowledge? So, we held pizza parties around the country and, before the meetings, we had each person make a collage. We use collages a lot. In this case, each person had to make a collage depicting their social network and the people they communicate with on a daily basis. They all made spider web-looking collages that were very insightful representations describing their communication, how they influence each other and who influences them. That provides a great launching point for discussion."
One of the things Chatter does for its clients is to bring customer input to life by presenting collages and video clips of customer discussions. "Our clients might walk into a final presentation with 40 collages hanging on the walls and video highlights showing people talking," said Lanier. "The client gets a deeper, richer understanding of the research that occurred."
"I think our moderating skills are better than other firms," said Lanier. "We're listening for 'windows of insight' that we can continue to probe. And we're listening for what customers are really trying to communicate about a brand - rather than just taking what they say at face value."
"We also try to apply the same creativity to our quantitative work," he said. "Most research firms employ quant wonks that pump out data without customizing it to the client's learning objectives or understanding how the findings will be used internally. Instead, we create novel quantitative solutions that glean meaningful insights that often can't be found with the smaller sample sizes of qualitative methods. It also makes for a great sledgehammer when socializing the findings within the client's organization."
Chatter is also unique among its competitors in that it takes a business point of view toward market research. "We try to help our clients connect the dots so they can understand how to implement our findings," he said. "We infuse market research with a strategic perspective. Our goal is to deliver meaningful business goals. That's our core differentiator. We don't just hand them PowerPoint slides and say, 'Good luck.' My training at UCLA Anderson was a big reason that this has become such a key strength of ours. There aren't a lot of MBAs in market research, so we use this as a competitive advantage."
Chatter has employed these techniques with nearly every major publisher in the videogame industry. Also, in addition to MTV, Chatter has many clients in television including ABC, Discovery Channel, TLC, the Travel Channel, the Military Channel, Animal Planet, the Science Channel, Warner Brothers, and NBC. They also serve many clients in the financial services industry, and won the prestigious 2007 Grand Ogilvy Award for the research behind Charles Schwab's current Talk to Chuck campaign. Chatter also has many clients in new media and healthcare, such as Yahoo!, AOL, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline and Schering Plough.
"We've been fortunate to work with many of the most recognizable brands over the years. But one of the things that a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs don't realize is sales is hard to do!" said Lanier. "You can't just hang a shingle out and expect people to start calling you. Entrepreneurship is really about 90 percent sales and 10 percent execution. Selling is involved in everything you do, from selling projects to clients to selling prospective employees on why they should work at your firm."
In 2007, Lanier opened a Chatter office in San Francisco and a New York office followed in 2008. The managing partner in New York, Lee Lodes, is also an Anderson grad, as is a senior consultant in the Los Angeles office. And Lanier's wife, Jessica Clark, completed her MBA at UCLA Anderson the year after her husband. She now serves as Chatter's CFO. "We pretty much hold an Anderson reunion every day we go to work," Lanier said.
Chatter's distinctive position in the market research field is evoked by the firm's name. "I was walking down the street with my wife," he recalled. "I think we were talking about some celebrity gossip and I said, 'Yeah, what's all that chatter about?' And I immediately thought we should call the firm Chatter. What we do is try to make sense of all the chatter surrounding a brand. The word chatter really implies our strategic point of view around research. And that's what gives us our edge."


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Vox Bass Guitars
Vox Bass Guitars are unique and stylish instruments. The Teardrop shape, originally released as an electric guitar, has been introduced as a bass following its popularity. The vintage feel to this bass is really what sets it apart from your ordinary bass. Here at Gear4music we stock a number of both the Teardrop and Phantom models in a range of colours. View all information


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An excellent op-ed by Yorkton-Melville MP, Garry Breitkreuz on the ongoing debate regarding the private member's Bill C-391 which – if passed – would see the end of the federal long-gun registry.
Breitkreuz hits hard against the politicking of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and all of the various machinations that are going on to try and kill the bill.
The media war over the hotly contested long-gun registry is in full swing, and it isn't pretty. The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) is lobbying hard to keep our tax dollars flowing into the black hole that is the registry.
Taxpayers should be incensed at the CACP for co-opting the role of policy-maker. When law enforcement managers try to write the laws they enforce, history has taught us we risk becoming a state where police can dictate our personal freedoms.
Policy-making is solely the mandate of elected governments on behalf of the people. While police can and should be consulted on the efficacy of current policies, police chiefs should not be lobbying to tell the government which laws it should adopt. The tail is wagging the dog with such intensity, the pooch is a veritable blur.
Breitkreuz also points the finger at the CACP's conflict of interest on this issue: something the media has studiously avoided in their coverage.
Consider that the CACP's vocal endorsement of the registry caused the sudden departure of its own ethics expert last year. John Jones quit the CACP ethics committee after the chiefs accepted a $115,000 donation from the gun registry's software provider. Indeed, Jones says the CACP has a track record of providing public endorsements to private sector companies that help to fund their lavish annual conference galas.
Although this bill passed 1st and 2nd readings, with the help of Liberal and NDP MPs, the 3rd reading will be a much tighter battle.
In fact it will be a battle just to get it to 3rd reading, as the federal Liberals have entered a motion to kill the bill outright to make sure it never even gets there.
As well, the Liberal leader, Michael Ignatieff has decided to whip his caucus' vote, which means that the Liberal MPs who have supported the bill in the previous two readings will now have to vote against the bill or face severe repercussions within their party. This goes against parliamentary tradition, which has normally allowed a free vote on private member's bills. However it appears that Ignatieff is willing to play to his Quebec and Toronto base and write-off the West and Eastern rural constituents.
So far the NDP leader, Jack Layton, has stayed clear of whipping his caucus' vote, but whether he will bow to his Toronto base before this is finished is a good question. Should he do so he will likely cause some fractures within his own party.
Hopefully the NDP MPs who voted to get rid of this ridiculous legislation on the first two readings will stick to their principles and see it through to the end.
It would be a big win to see the long-gun registry go the way of the Dodo bird.