text:
Storage specialist IO Data has said it will ship internal and external Blu-ray Disc writers in just over a month's time. The company said it will launch the two products in Japan and the US simultaneously.
The internal drive is dubbed the BRD-AM2B, an ATAPI unit capable of reading BD, DVD and CD media, and of writing all their various recordable and rewriteable versions too: BD-R, BD-RE, DVD±R/RW (single- and dual-layer), DVD-RAM and CD-R/RW.
The external model, the BRD-UM2, offers the same specification, this time in a more stylish casing and with a USB 2.0 port to hook it up to the host computer.
The tray-loading drives both operate at 2x speed.
They don't come cheap, mind. IO Data's forecast Japanese pricing is ¥105,000 ($894/£501/€724) for the internal drive and ¥116,000 ($987/£553/€800) for the external version. ®
Related review
Samsung SH-B022 Blu-ray Disc writer


text:
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
NBC: Jimmy Fallon will replace Jay Leno next year
'Tonight Show' gets new host in Spring 2014
The "Tonight Show" will get its next host in Spring 2014 when Jimmy Fallon takes over Jay Leno, NBC announced Wednesday.
The network also announced the show will return to its original home at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City.
The peacock network commended Leno's more than 20-year run as host and said they are confident the change will be successful.
"Congratulations Jimmy. I hope you're as lucky as me and hold on to the job until you're the old guy. If you need me, I'll be at the garage," Leno said in a prepared statement.
Fallon currently hosts "Late Night," which follows the "Tonight Show."
"I'm really excited to host a show that starts today instead of tomorrow," Fallon said.
SNL creator Lorne Michaels will serve as the show's executive producer.


text:
Fissler produces at two locations in Germany:
Fissler produces at two locations in Germany:
Idar-Oberstein, founded in 1845
Administration/Research and Development
8,000 m² production area
Journey description to Idar-Oberstein
Hoppstädten-Weiersbach, founded in 1973
Logistics Center and Customer Service Department
11,000 m² production area
Do you have any questions, suggestions or wishes with regard to our products ? The Fissler Customer Service will be pleased to help you.
» contact
Are you looking for a specialist dealer for Fissler products? You will find the international dealer search function here.
» dealer search


text:
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The woman who died after she was hit by a car while waiting for a bus outside a CVS pharmacy in Miami Gardens was identified on Wednesday.
Mary Smith, 83, was waiting for the bus with three others at Northwest 199th Street and 2nd Avenue about 4:15 p.m. Tuesday when a car slammed into them.
"This was a beautiful woman," said Cheryl Alston, Smith's granddaughter. "She loved the Lord. She trusted in God and she was headed in the direction of where she wanted to go and that was to church."
Work crews spent Wednesday replacing the bus bench that was knocked down.
Police believe the white Nissan Maxima was speeding and swerved around a slower moving black Nissan Altima, hit it, and then plowed through a bus stop where four people were waiting, including Smith. Both cars were going eastbound on 199th Street.
Several Good Samaritans heard the crash and ran in to help. Several people freed a man who was trapped underneath the car, lifting it onto its side.
"Once somebody yelled that there was a body under the car and we heard the voice of the guy that was under there, we all ran over there and we started. Everybody went kind of on three and we lifted the car up, and then we pushed it up and everybody grabbed him and pulled him from underneath the car," Conrad Hines said Tuesday.
"I say to the driver, 'If you're conscious, won't condemn you, neither will I.' She would have forgiven him as well because that's the type of person she was," said Alston.
Four people remain in critical condition following the crash. A 9-month-old child who was inside the Altima was treated and released.
Police were interviewing the driver of the white car who walked away from the crash without any injuries. No charges have been filed.


text:
Sadler2 wrote: You have a performance hole in your physics code.Works on every frame. If I have 1000 FPS for video, it will calculate the physics 1000 times. It's huge work for CPU. For example, on my machine it dropped framerate from 60 to 20 FPS. Physics must be calculated periodically (maybe 25 times per second ? ), but not on every frame.
Code: Select all
engine.cpp:75: bool OMW::Engine::frameRenderingQueued (const Ogre::FrameEvent& evt) { ... engine.cpp:195: mEnvironment.mWorld->doPhysics (movement, mEnvironment.mFrameDuration); ... engine.cpp:204: }
gus wrote: Bullet don't do the physic everytime the dophysic function is called. Bullet do a simulation 33 (or 50 don't remember) per second, and do some interpolation when the elapsed time is too short.
But we might me able to lower the number of simulation per second. Maybe 20 could do.
Zini wrote: Let's wait with this kind of optimisations until we have enough movement in the game to see, if it has negative effects on the smoothness of the movements.
Sadler2 wrote: @gus: oh, yeah, I forget...
I'm using the profiler to know, why framerate in Seyda Nenn on one of my machines looks like 3-4 FPS (while in original Morrowind it's significally higher). I can't test the OpenMW without optimisations like this. Now I'm see, that physics is very slow ( 90% of time spends on btVector multiplication! ). I think, this is not a problem with bullet, because I'm using the Bullet engine in my projects and I know, how fast bullet may work.
Specs of that machine:
CPU: AMD Athlon X2 3800+
Video: NVidia GeForce 9800GT
OS: Windows XP SP3 (x86)
Zini wrote: There is a problem with performance and other people's tests have indicated that it is located in bullet (probably a configuration problem). According to your own data limiting bullet updates would not cause a performance improvement (if you only have 3-4 fps, limiting bullet to 30 updates per second won't help, because you are already down to 3-4 updates per second).
Your problem is a known bug (http://bugs.openmw.org/issues/154) and gus has promised to look into it.


text:
All That Remains have no choice but to be honest. Ever since their formation in 1998, they've stayed true to themselves with each successive record. There's no pretense. There's no posturing. There's no pandering. Their seventh full-length effort, A War You Cannot Win [Razor & Tie], is no exception. The Massachusetts quintet—Philip Labonte [vocals], Oli Herbert [guitar], Mike Martin [guitar], Jeanne Sagan [bass], and Jason Costa [drums]—unabashedly unleash tight and taut heavy metal with arena-size hooks. Defying preconceived notions, the music is as genuine as it gets, and All That Remains wouldn't have it any other way.
Going into A War You Cannot Win, the group didn't tinker with their process much. Beginning in early 2011, they commenced writing in a Massachusetts practice space together between touring for their last offering, For We Are Many. Coming off the road, the musicians hit the studio with longtime producer Adam D [The Devil Wears Prada, As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage] to record. As they cut the album's twelve tracks, one paramount goal loomed.
"We just want to write good songs," admits Labonte. "We're not trying to be the heaviest or most technical band in the world. We're not trying to write math problems. We aim for balance. It's not about pleasing anyone or fitting into a scene. For us, it's always been about making music that's memorable and we would actually enjoy listening to it. That's the big point."
That point becomes proven tenfold on the anthemic first single, "Stand Up". From the scorching lead to the propulsive beat, it's an incendiary and infectious introduction to the record that's meant to be chanted along to.
"People can interpret it in many different ways," Labonte reveals of the song. "It's a little abstract. This band has never been about one style of music though. Any creative ideas are fair game, and everybody has input. We've always pushed the boundaries of what we are, and we'll continue to do so."
At moments, A War You Cannot Win retreats into the warmth of Herbert's classically-infused acoustic instrumental "Calculating Loneliness" before reloading the thrash firepower of the politically-charged title track or the visceral stomp of "Down Through the Ages". In other places like "What If I Was Nothing" and "Asking Too Much"—self-proclaimed "pining love songs"—the melody entwines with the lyrics, evincing tangible vulnerability. Most importantly, those vulnerable moments hit just as hard as the heavy ones in true All That Remains fashion.
"I'm fortunate to be in a band with people who have such incredible ability," Labonte smiles. "Jason and Oli make everything musically interesting and complex. They're phenomenal. Mike and I add the pop metal aspect."
As far as the album title goes, it encapsulates a deeper meaning for the outspoken singer. "I drew from a political perspective," he goes on. "It's an election year and the record drops Election Day, but it doesn't matter if you voted for one side or the other. It's still the same crap. The idea that the government can control someone's life is where A War You Cannot Win comes from. You can't go ahead and tell individuals what they can and cannot do. There will always be people who fight that power."
All That Remains has been fighting since day one. Granted, it hasn't been easy, but they've had some very significant victories rising from the much-written about East Coast metal scene into an international phenomenon.
To date, they've sold more than a million albums worldwide and 1.5 Million tracks over the course of Behind Silence and Solitude [2002], This Darkened Heart [2004], The Fall of Ideals [2006], Overcome [2008], and For We Are Many [2010]. For We Are Many actually debuted at #10 on the Billboard Top 200 and has moved over 180,000 copies. At Active Rock Radio, they've become a mainstay. "The Waiting One" hit Top 5 on the Active Rock Radio chart, becoming their first-ever Top 5 single and fifth consecutive hit for the format. "Hold On" and "The Last Time" spent over a year charting as well. They've destroyed stages worldwide with everyone from Asking Alexandria and Buckcherry to Hollywood Undead and Five Finger Death Punch as well as giving unforgettable performances at OZZfest and Download.
Ultimately though, it circles back to the fans for Labonte. "The most important thing is people can pull from the music what they want," he concludes of A War You Cannot Win. "Do the songs reflect on you? Do they affect you? Do they inspire you somehow? Do they make you think? It's not about the person who wrote the song. The listener is the most important. If people are entertained by it and they think a little bit, we couldn't ask for anything more."
All That Remains definitely accomplish that mission on A War You Cannot Win.


text:
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|9 days left
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is scheduled to be released on July 27, 2010.finally i am the one to make the thread about the event/game/album/anticipated-thing-in-the-near-future
|Posted On: 07/18/2010 11:23PM
|View Patently Chill P...'s Profile | #
I got into the beta and it's a pretty sweet game. Won't be buying it, but it's very nice.Skyman747 edited this message on 07/18/2010 11:41PM
|Posted On: 07/18/2010 11:41PM
|View Skyman747's Profile | #
ive never played starcraft so i dont care at all. I feel bad about this. its on my computer. i just cant bring myself to play it.
|Posted On: 07/19/2010 12:43AM
|View bobdisgea's Profile | #
in my dreams i am the star its me
then the big man comes for a litle ONE ON ONE
|Posted On: 07/19/2010 12:45AM
|View Adapt's Profile | #
I played the original about two years ago and liked it a lot.
And from the dev of the beta, the game sounds rather sweet in spite of the major gameplay changes.
But the story, man. SCI had just enough story to flavour the battles, but not so much that it dominated the player experience. SCII sounds like it's going to have the same problem Warcraft III did with a stupid story taking over everything.
Blizzard should take a few cues from Valve. It's almost like they've forgotten they make RTS and believe everything is RPG.
|Posted On: 07/19/2010 12:48AM
|View mterek's Profile | #
I'm waiting for Kerrigan – Queen of Blades to give us her opinion before making any decision on this.
|Posted On: 07/19/2010 4:48AM
|View Malaise's Profile | #
The future doesnt look anything like Starcraft.
Trust me, I'm from there.
And it was also the cause of at least forty deaths from binge gaming…and this was only following its release.
|Posted On: 07/19/2010 6:58AM
|View Girg Jatsand's Profile | #
Malaise Posted:
I have been biding my time for far too long awaiting the first move of either the Protoss or the Humans. Though I must say that it does not surprise me that it was the humans who would be the first to act. Nor would it surprise me to learn that the Protoss are hoping that I will simply fade into the mists or remain content here on Char.
I must admit though that even I was growing impatient in waiting for some action. Certainly after granting a long enough reprieve to pose at least a minor challenge when I mobilize the mighty Swarm once more, I hope that I will not have to weaken my own strikes in order to prolong my amusement.
I have granted you the first move James, perhaps if it is amusing enough I will spare your life yet again in order to watch you writhe some more.
And to you Zeratul, watch closely and prepare as best you can. For the "mercy" that I grant James will not be extended to you.
|Posted On: 07/19/2010 8:57AM
|View Kerrigan - Queen...'s Profile | #
Girg Jatsand Posted:
I'm guessing the day of SC2's release the South Korean work force will shut down completely.
|Posted On: 07/19/2010 9:21AM
|View Skyman747's Profile | #
I've heard good and bad about it. Never played starcraft, but the matchmaking system sounded nice in SC2 so I really wanted to give it a try, but oh well.
|Posted On: 07/19/2010 10:44AM
|View CrinkzPipe's Profile | #
More people in my barracks are excited about this than the porn convention last weekend. I think that says a lot, considering its 300 guys all living together
|Posted On: 07/19/2010 2:26PM
|View Mister Pugs's Profile | #
itt i find out pugs is in the army
|Posted On: 07/19/2010 2:47PM
|View Patently Chill P...'s Profile | #
Nah, I'm a sailor! Log in to see images!
|Posted On: 07/19/2010 3:09PM
|View Mister Pugs's Profile | #
Mister Pugs Posted:
|Posted On: 07/19/2010 3:38PM
|View Patently Chill P...'s Profile | #
Using nukes is fun
|Posted On: 07/19/2010 6:23PM
|View Skyman747's Profile | #
Skyman747 Posted:
Its close enough to the date itself, I will let you experience it for yourself Log in to see images!
|Posted On: 07/22/2010 2:55AM
|View Girg Jatsand's Profile | #
|Posted On: 07/22/2010 11:04AM
|View CrinkzPipe's Profile | #


text:
I have wondered at times about snow squalls and kiters. I've seen and been in plenty of pretty nasty sustained winds and the odd severe squall in high alpine areas. There was the one snow kiter killed years ago in Alberta Beach in a squall. It is good you are familiar with the phenomena in your area and take informed precautions. If you don't mind my asking, where do you snow kite?
What other things do people do in their parts of the world to manage weather hazards. I certainly haven't touched on everything in this short post.


text:
CasterHQ's Drive Wheels are manufactured in the USA and commonly used on Mobile and Automated Equipment, Powered Equipment, Towing, Heavy Lifts, and even Conveyors. We Manufacture Drive Wheels in both Polyurethane on Steel Wheels or Rubber on Steel Wheels. We can provide replacement Drive Wheels for most bore sizes on an existing piece of equipment by contacting us directly with your measurements. If you have a custom wheel and need to re-tread the polyurethane or rubber back onto the core we offer custom in house wheel re-bonding services to get your old wheels back to new. Rebonding Caster Wheels is very common on specialty wheels that are not easily found in the industry, especially for large expensive wheels. CasterHQ's Keyed Drive Wheels are Made in the USA and standard lead time is around 2-3 weeks from when the order was placed since all Drive wheels are custom made per order.
Questions? Please Call us @ 844-439-4335 or Contact Us Here
1-5/8" Hub Length | 20mm Bore
2-3/16" Hub Length | 20mm Bore
3-1/4" Hub Length | 20mm Bore


text:
Since the classical period, cabbage has been valued for its healing properties. Sailors noticed that it helped prevent scurvy, and we now know that the acidity helps to
preserve much of the Vitamin C in cabbage.
The uses of sauerkraut are endless- perfect with all kinds of meat from knackwurst to ham to goose; excellent with flakes of gruyere; splendid with coriander seeds, juniper berries apples, wine, cranberries; and as always, delicious with beer.


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Engine Repair
Vehicle Engine Repair in Sacramento, CA
In the auto repair industry, where you choose to get your car fixed can make a big difference in the service, quality, and price you receive; and choosing the wrong company can lead to a costly drawn-out project that only fixes the problem in the short term. If your car has been involved in an accident, or if you just don't like the strange sound that's coming from the under the hood, bring your car in to Polar Bear Auto Care. We offer comprehensive engine repair services designed to get your vehicle running the way it should.
At Your Service
Our commitment to reliable engine repair service has set us apart as a trusted name in Sacramento, CA, and we pride ourselves on the high standard of quality we work hard to maintain. No matter the state of your engine, we'll do our best to repair it in a timely and cost-effective fashion so that you can get back on the road as quickly as possible.
When you need your engine repaired, trust Polar Bear Auto Care to provide prompt, honest, and affordable service. Call today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Good place to go for your A/C troubles. Very knowledgeable people. They know their business and are good about explaining the issues before working on your car.
My AC had not been checked in over 10 years. They did a thorough inspection and found leaks aged hose and lines. Very nice folks there. Didn't know they are a full mechanical shop. A good place to bring your vehicle.
Very Very nice people. They are easy to get in touch with and will text and call. Fair prices and so much faster then the dealership for repairs. They also do much more then just AC!! The ONLY thing they don't have is a shuttle service, but it's no problem to get a ride from a friend.
Excellent service. AC works great, oil change done on time like promised. Kevin and Art are excellent. Thank you.
Staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. Took the time to explain everything really well and very professional.
Everyone was helpful and my air conditioning issues were resolved promptly. The folks who were working on my car found a problem with one of my tail lights and after getting my permission fixed it.
Phil in parts is very knowledgeable and knew how to.make my custom a/c hoses. Very nice people.
My father and I have gone here for years. I have not regretted coming here for service, ever. You need service or repairs for your vehicle, think no further than Polar Bear Auto Care.
One of the last parts of a motorhome restoration with engine rebuild ,was the ac part of the equation.Whilst i did everything else my self,i felt there was more to this than i wanted to take on .After some research i chose Polar Bear Auto.From the beginning Kevin was upfront about what i needed and was happy to educate me how all the components work together and as a whole.Whilst this project went over my budget,through no-bodies fault,i felt what he was proposing to do, was what had to be done to have a trouble free cooling system.I happily paid the bill & so far everything is working as it should.I'm happy,wife is happy,and i know if i have a problem i can take it back with confidence it will be taken care of .Would reccomend anyone to take their vehicle to Polar Bear Auto. for ac work.
I walked into Polar Auto knowing this company has been around for a long time and went in w/a positive first time of dealing w/them. My first encounter was an email. I got a response quickly. Then a phone call on first business day. Spoke w/an outgoing lady named Darla!! She told me bring ur car in and we'll see what we can do. Following week I came in and she remembered me. She was personable, looked you right in the eyes, had answers for you, and pretty knowledgeable about the product. My repairs were dealings w/my air conditioner. The car is a 2013 Buick Enclave. I was worried it was too new of a car for them to know what to do....well that went right out the window after seeing all their top notch cars in the garage on racks getting some kind of repair. I thought, OK they know what their doing. My car ended up being a tedious 4day project. It was a big job and they were working on it in 103° weather! Kudos to their mechanical team!! Also to top it off they gave a 3yr. OR 36,000 mile warranty for their work!!😁 I was extremely happy, a.c. works great, and the hubby and kids are happy to be cooled off in our new a.c. system! Thank you Darla and everyone at Polar Bear Auto that helped us through our troubling time!! Angela.
Great people!!! Professional kind honest all of the above.
Polar Bear Auto is a hidden gem of Sacramento for automotive service. These folks are awesome 👍
Polar Bear Auto Care is a locally owned business and I like that. I have used their services for four years and have been well satisfied on every occasion. Their work is excellent and done when promised. The staff is always very pleasant, knowledgeable and professional. I wouldn't go anywhere else.
The entire team is professional, knowledgeable and efficient. Exceptional customer service every step of the process.
Honest, great work and they get it done right the first time.
They are always fantastic to work with. Great place to get your car fixed.
Very honest and straight forward in my opinion. It was not worth it to fix the A/C in my car because it is old, but would recommend service to others.
Price as promised. Air conditioner works great. Thanks
I took my 2015 Nissan here for AC repair after a recommendation for my husband's friend. I am so glad that I did! The previous mechanic I took it to charged me over $400 and still didnt fix it. Polar Bear had it fixed for me the very next day!! I am so happy with the sevice here, and my AC works AMAZING now! Thank you, Keith!!
Best AC guys in Town!
i have been using Polar Bear for any A/C repairs for about 20 years.As I keep cars a long time (my current ride, in 2020, is a 2004) I want the repairs to be done right, and only once. I get that from Kevin and crew at Polar Bear. My latest need, an AC compressor, was done during this Covid-19 period. Kevin sanitized everything he or I touched, from the ball point pen on the counter, to the car's door handle and key ring. (Almost) needless to say, both car and I are running quite well, after our Polar Bear visit. My air conditioner now has a three year warranty. I wish I had one for myself.
The folks at Polar Bear are really great! They have worked on both of our cars and have done a great job. They are a little more expensive but do a great job. Very reliable and professional. Thank you!
The crew at Polar Bear went the extra mile to install A/C in my Jeep Wrangler. They kept in communication with me, didn't hesitate to give me updates, and persevered in spite of obstacles. I can't recommend them enough. Thank you!
They were great. Super friendly and explained everything very clearly.
This is a business with integrity .
I have had my A/C looked at two other times and it never worked right. Found Polar Bear who I remember using back in the late 80's still around and called them up. They had it fixed and blowing cold like when the truck was brand new. They do all kinds of auto repair now and I will definitely go back to them. The whole crew was great. Art and Craig took care of me. Thanks again!!
Very nice people, on point and communication was good from beginning to end. Fair pricing. Well recommend to anyone.
Polarbear repaired my AC in my 1984 Corvette. A great job- cold as new!!
Great service, they're honest and won't rip you off
Very friendly, polite, and the job is done on time!
Great knowledgeable team gets you in and out asap. The really do bend over backward to get the job done right the first time.
I have been bringing my truck to Polar Bear Auto Care since about mid 2011. They have always been a kind, funny and knowledgeable group. What started out as a convenience in getting an oil change while at work. Has turned into the only place I take my truck and refer others to do the same. I have never been disappointed by my experiences nor have I ever felt I was being "taken for a ride" or cheated. They communicate with me if they find something other than what I brought my truck in for. They explain the situation so that I can decide whether to move forward or come back at a later time. As a woman I appreciate having a place I feel comfortable bringing my truck. I look forward to continuing to give them my business. What a great team, thank you for all your years of service on my truck and here's to many more!!
I have 100% faith in Polar Bear Auto Care. They have serviced my car for years and I have NEVER had a problem with their work. They are thorough in finding and addressing issues at an affordable price. I highly recommend them!
Was able to drop off my vehicle and use the courtesy car that was readily available. Fixed my car at an affordable price, doing the job right the first time. Would highly recommend as a one stop shop for all your cars needs.
As always...professional and honest service. I won't take any of our cars anywhere else!
I have had my RV in for service several times over the past several years. Truly professional and do not overcharge. they find the best solutions and then explain options or best choice. Customer for life with Polar Bear.
They treat you like family and are always so kind and you can't beat the price as well as the guarantee on the work done.Best shop ever .I wish I never had wasted money going to other places .
I had a very positive experience with 2 of my vehicles. The rear a/c of a specialized van for my wheelchair bound son was repaired when another shop said they couldn't do it. They were extremely accommodating with the sensitivity of the time constraints needed to get it done fast and also fixed a broken step at no charge to me. Also repaired the a/c on my camaro, valve cover seals, and the rack and pinion. Every employee I encountered in person or on the phone was friendly, personable and helpful. They actually answer their phone calls and call you back! I will use this company from now on for all of my Automotive needs. Darla, you're a doll. Art you are awesome. Kevin , you went above and beyond. I cannot thank you enough.
Was fair and honest with the up front costs
They went above and beyond to find my problem. As a courtesy they did not make any additional charges.
Did a great job on my old air system.
Very honest and reliable!!@
Would go back to these guys in a heartbeat. They were thorough, honest, took the time to explain everything in detail and took the time to evaluate the entire car for safety and recall issues. You don't find this level of care, integrity and customer service anywhere anymore. Highly, highly, highly recommend!!!
Great service great honesty!
repaired my ac not just service it like others did for years, found leaks and fixed them. was happy with the service.
As always, excellent customer service. Thank you!
All work performed as promised with no surprises. Thanks
Great customer service. They were very clear on the process and steps after I dropped Off my vehicle. They were also clear on all charges and costs. Would def recommend this place.
The service from polar bear auto was amazing from booking my appointment to picking up my car. Excellent service, honest reliable auto service. Thank you again.
Darla and staff took great care of my coach and me. I will definitely be a repeat customer.
Excellent and fast service
Polar Bear Auto Center, are very friendly and professional. They fixed my air conditioner, they had done an excellent job. Everything works very well. Would recommend them to everyone. Thanks Eric
Excellent service! Thank you again Art and the crew at Polar Bear! I will recommend this place to everyone who needs A/C, electrical, or automotive!
This is the second time I have used Polar Bear for an air conditioner issue and both times the service was excellent and timely.
A great experience, and I am not the type of guy that writes a review. Good people, doing the right thing and taking care of the customer properly. Had two facilities before that could not figure out my dual air. Polar Bear did.
I have been bringing my cars here for years. Good honest work and they always take the time to explain. Best in the area no doubt!
I love my 1992 Accord and as much as how old it is, Polar Bear took care of it with no hesitation. They were honest with the process and will take their time in the diagnosis versus just trouble shooting the issue (glues and duct tape). They are my go to when it comes to delicate matters for my Accord. Thank you, Polar bear.
I like the honesty I feel when I use Polar Bear Auto. I would recommend them with any air conditioning and heating issues with my car. Wish they worked on my Mercedes Benz.
The overall experience from polar bear auto was amazing from the first phone call to picking up my vehicle. Not to mention they saved me $1000.00 from other quotes i received for the same work. i will be using them for all future maintenance and repairs.
Fast and Fair. They always give an estimate and do quality work.
I received great service and they quickly had me on my way which was amazing!
The staff at Polar Bear Auto Care were so kind and knowledgeable. My Ford Taurus 2003 was having air compressor issues, and they quickly performed a recovery on it so we could perform the repairs ourselves. They also recharged my system quickly and even explained how the AC system worked too. 5/5 stars and would absolutely come back again!
My air conditioning in my 2002 Subaru was quickly fixed. They also looked at my head gasket, which another mechanic told me had to be replaced. Kevin suggested (over making a profit) that I could just keep an eye on the oil level and it wasn't worth having the head gasket fixed. Honest, competent mechanics.
Have been looking for years for an honest and knowledgable car service center. Found it!! Great service and prices
I've been taking my vehicles to Polar Bear for many years. I have always found them to be honest and trustworthy. They communicate well and I've been able to depend on them to provide quality work. You'll have to go a long way to find a better shop.
Great shop and excellent employees also they have a great gaurentee good in every state for a/c work
Great service! Very fair priced. Nice to repairs done right the first time. Very sharp crew I will be using polar bear from now on and suggest the same to anyone who asks
Great Service and Experts on A/C Systems!
Outstanding, professional, timely service. They are the NERDS of A/C! There is none better. Thank you, Polar Bear staff. I am a lifetime customer.
The people there are fabulous. My car drives and doesn't over heat. They told me what was wrong, how to fix it and reasonable prices. You can call and make appointments for oil changes etc.
They were very helpful they were very honest and they are now my new mechanic I advise everyone to go to them.
These guys are great! Prompt, thorough and honest. Also good detectives. I had a weird noise coming from the front right section of my car. Under the right conditions, I would hear it every morning. They found it and fixed it! I am thrilled. I totally trust these folks to treat my car as their own.
I've been taking my car to Polar Bear for a couple of years now and I am very happy with the care they have shown to my vehicle and to me. The service is great, and they are very courteous and knowledgeable. I dropped my car off twice without calling ahead and they were very agreeable about fitting me in (although I usually make an appointment which works better for everyone). As a single woman I have been a little concerned about being taken advantage of, but I haven't felt that to be an issue here. I have an older Toyota which will probably keep running forever, so I'll be continuing to visit Polar Bear and I'm very happy to be doing so.
I've taken my Ford Ranger to Polar Bear for multiple fixes over the last few years and they always do a good job and at a reasonable price. So far, even the "temporary fix" of my a/c 2 years ago is holding strong. Saved me almost a grand! I'll continue to bring my vehicles to these guys and recommend them to everyone I know. :)
I've solicited service from PB multiple times over the years. Everytime has been a pleasant and pleasing experience. I love recommending them to others needing service. PB has always been attentive to my needs, professional, warm, and positively responsive to any post service concerns. They are truly the service center most consumers dream of having. Their cost is reasonable and they are honest. There maybe other good service centers, but I doubt there are any better service centers. Polar Bear is the place to go.
Had transmission replaced (used), excellent work. Warranty on it too !!! Always the best, had smog done recently too, passed. Straight shooters, with Polar/Overstreet, I always know honest truth about vehicle and their work. Find a good honest shop and hold them for life.
The professionals at Polar Bear were not only great mechanics but were also very friendly. They even gave me a loaner car to use while my 280ZX was in the shop awaiting parts arrival. They were great mechanics and I am very pleased with the quality of work performed. They converted my Z back to the original R-12 freon because the changed to R-134A was useless and did not work in my older car (1981). I highly recommend them. [From Frank Inverso vs Anne Hann]
Great service at a reasonable price.
On top there things
Great people, excellent work. Kevin and Art always look for ways to get the repair done well at a manageable price.
This crew is the best. I've been with them for so long I can't remember how I found them. They're knowledgeable, thorough and easy to talk to. Highly recommend them.
I like this business and those who run it. This business has been here for many years. They carry a great deal of parts. In the early 1990's my father was unable to buy a heater core for his motor home due to the original manufacturer going out of business. These folks compared the heater core to what they had in stock and found an identical one that was made by an alternative manufacturer (from Canada). Years ago I dived into replacing a heater core in a former vehicle. I learned first-hand that this task is exceedingly complicated and difficult. Polar Bear folks helped me complete the job with lots of free advice and recommended parts so I would not need to have the car towed to their shop to complete the job. Since then I have recommended them to those needing a heater core replacement. Another vehicle of mine recently developed a very tiny (microscopic) leak in the heater core. I began seeing vapor on the windshield that was greatly noticeable when the windshield was cold. The leak was so small and nobody around could smell the antifreeze so it took awhile to confirm the leak by watching the level of the antifreeze in the overflow tank eventually drop a bit. I called Polar Bear last week and they got right on the job and wrapped it up on the third day. They know what they are doing and I feel they are likely the most ideal place to have this task accomplished for vehicles requiring the dash and A/C evaporator core removed. They are very skilled in this area and the Sacramento region is fortunate to have this local business here. The cost for doing this task is very high but it equates to the extreme difficulty of accomplishing it. If you ever try doing it yourself you will see that the cost compares favorably to the physical, emotional and mental devastation that will likely result. Also, you will still need someone experienced in air conditioning to evacuate your system and later recharge it. When you have Polar Bear do the job you know they will also do the associated air conditioning work in a highly competent and professional manner. Bottom line is that I feel comfortable highly recommending Polar Bear Auto Care for any tasks they accomplish.
Recently, I had to part company with my local Dodge dealer for all future work on my 2010 Dodge Ram 3500 4x4. Their charges had become excessive and I had evidence of their prior unethical, if not fraudulent, work on my baby. So I decided to give "The Bear" a try. This place is quite a drive from my home in Davis, but I knew they had been there, quietly doing business focused on auto AC, for decades. But first, I parked and scoped the place out for a while from the street. What I found was a clean, well-maintained and painted shop--with mid-to-late-aged mechanics who didn't look like crack-heads and did look like they'd been doing this for quite a while. Then, I dropped the Ram off with them, with its broken AC, to see if they'd reach the same "needs" conclusions as had two other places. Not only did they do that, but their price was $2400 versus two dealers who wanted $3000--a 20% savings for me! Lastly, The Bear said it would be a 3-day job and I'd have the vehicle back by COB on Friday. On a whim--and a hunch--I showed up early at noon on Friday and the mechanic was just finishing the road test. Needless to say, I was a happy camper! The Bear will very definitely be getting more of my business, if and when more stuff breaks on my Ram. I rest my case.
Over many years several cars. Prices seem fair. Always good PR and good work
Great shop and with attentive owner/employees and excellent customer service. Their building is wheelchair accessible with designated parking. Waiting room is large and comfy with a table, many types of seating and a huge flat screen TV with cable. Water is complementary.
Love their very helpful service family place
Took the compressor from my 1969 GTO in for evaluation. The guys were very accommodating and gave it a look right away. Being a DIY person myself, Art gave me a lot of advice on what to do and what to be cautious about. I am rebuilding the engine right now, but when I get it back together, I will definitely take the car here for an evaluation and recharge of the system. These guys know their stuff!
I have been pretty happy with them. They are very nice and helpful. They got the work done efficiently.
This repair shop was referred to me by a previous owner of another auto repair shop. Quite a compliment I think. Anyway, I used their services for a costly repair (a lot less costly than the dealer), the car repair was repaired timely as promised, I was given the a standard warranty and have had no problem since the repair.
Always up front with prices and great customer
Great staff. Fast and honest.
Art and Kevin are great. Very professional and provide a detailed summary of the issues in my car. Will return.
Honest Folks, Did a A/C replacement at quoted price. Had an equipment failure. They checked it out and replaced with out any hassle . Highly recommend to any one. I have suggested them to many of My Friends and Family
Great service, awesome knowledgeable staff.
They are honest and will do what is right. They were not able to fix my car, but returned all of my money. Love these guys.
They fix the problems correctly the first time! Great customer service and great value! They even manage to teach me something new about auto repair every time, hehe. This is the only place I'd recommend and the only place I'd take my vehicle!
I didn't have an appointment but needed my vehicle fixed as soon as possible. They diagnosed the problem right away. Great service. Great price. Highly recommended.
Polar Bear changed my AC from the old system to the new in my 1993 Jerry Bowling Chevrolet Super Corsica. Now, 10+ years later, 107,000+ miles and 3 round trips to the east coast and all parts east, the AC still works like the day Polar Bear delivered it back to me. I paid well for the quality of service and parts; but, I'll be back there if my AC fails again.
If you live in the Sacramento area and your car needs work, call Polar Bear. They do a little bit of everything, not just A/C work. And if they think you're better off going to the dealer they'll tell you. They're honest and professional, and they do good work. I can't recommend them more highly.
Always greeted at the door. Knowledgeable staff that will never steer you wrong. They want you safe out there on the road.
Kevin, Art and Jessica are the best. Not only do they take care of us each time we visit, fitting our cars into the schedule even on short notice, but they also give us the peace of mind knowing that we are getting great service at a reasonable price. We highly recommend Polar Bear Auto Care for your AC and general auto repair needs.
Every time I am in Sacramento this is THE only place I'll ever take my truck. They have been the only ones to fix my problems correctly the first time and for good! If you're looking for a mechanic save yourself the hassle and just go here.
The guys at Polar Bear are awesome. Yeah, they don't work for free as some reviewers hoped, but Polar Bear is very reasonably priced and they stand behind their work. The Service is the best. Thank you!
Limited Time Offer!
$50 Off Compressor Replacement Job
Polar Bear Auto Care
2430 Harvard St
Sacramento, CA 95815916-343-8550
Must change drier/accumulator and condenser when applicable. Not redeemable for cash. Cannot be combined with any other offers. No european vehicles, appointment required, coupon must be presented at initial write up. Restrictions may apply.
Offer Ends July 12, 2020
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Samsung Begins Sampling 20nm MLC NAND Flash
Samsung Begins Sampling 20nm MLC NAND Flash
Flash is everywhere, the storage kind, not Adobe's (though it's pretty close). And Samsung is pushing the tech barrier even further with an announcement that they have started sampling 20nm MLC NAND Flash. Here's to hoping that we'll get even cheaper and faster (by up to 30%) storage in the next year or so.
DailyTech - NAND flash memory seems to be invading nearly every electronic devices that we use today. Everything from cameras to smartphones to notebook computers to digital media players make use of the storage technology. So it should come as no surprise that companies are always looking to new process technologies to not only lower the cost of production for NAND flash memory, but also to improve performance and storage densities.
Click here for the full story.


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LOS ANGELES (October 30, 2013) – The Los Angeles Auto Show confirmed today that it will host more than 60 unique, historic and significant vehicles as part of its inaugural MPG Motoring Invitational Presented by Forza Motorsport 5 and Xbox One, on November 20 at the Los Angeles Convention Center's Gilbert Lindsay Plaza. This exclusive morning event will replace the traditional opening keynote and celebrates all aspects of Southern California's car culture, bringing together some of the most interesting automobiles from influential icons, tastemakers, luminaries, collectors and celebrities for Press Day attendees to enjoy.
Cars from prominent collectors such as Barry Meguiar, President of Meguiar's, Inc. and celebrated host of Car Crazy TV, and Corky Coker, President of the Coker Group and star of the highly anticipated reality show "Backroad Gold" will be making an appearance. Meguiar is set to bring his stunning black 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air and Coker will display a unique Rat Rod Pickup Truck, with a vintage motorcycle loaded into the bed.
Respected hot rod builders Pete Chapouris, President of SO-CAL Speed Shop, and Robert J. Smith, President of Detroit Street Rods, will showcase Richard Varner's customized 1932 Ford named "SO-CAL/DSR Cabriolet Hiboy Coyote 5.0." Gale Banks, turbocharging pioneer, President and CEO of Gale Banks Engineering and Mike Ryan of Mike Ryan MotorSports will display Ryan's Banks Super-Turbo Pikes Peak Freightliner. In addition, respected Porsche 911 collector and restorer Magnus Walker will be on-site with his slightly modified 1971 Porsche 911T. Having worked in the film, music and fashion industries, Walker has made a name for himself working on both numbers-matching and customized Porsches in Los Angeles.
Auction trendsetter Craig Jackson, who serves as Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson, will bring a rare 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster from his personal garage, while international television and automotive design star RJ De Vera will showcase his customized 2013 Ford Mustang. Press day attendees will also see previously featured vehicles from influential enthusiast publications such as DSPORT Magazine, DUB, and Street Trucks, alongside interesting and historic vehicles from automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Subaru and Dodge.
A few of the celebrity-owned cars that will be on-site include famous car guy, film and TV star Tim Allen's 427 COPO 1968 Camaro and comedian and host of the world's most popular podcast, "The Adam Carolla Show," Adam Carolla's 1988 Nissan 300ZX racecar, which once belonged to and was raced by Hollywood icon Paul Newman. Southern California's Petersen Automotive Museum will showcase the late Rita Hayworth's stunning 1953 Cadillac Series 62 Ghia Coupe. Famed "King of Kustomizers" and industry legend George Barris, will also display replicas of his iconic TV creations, The Munster Koach and Batmobile. Eddie Paul, the mastermind that created vehicles for hit movies such as Gone in 60 Seconds, xXx, and Taxi, will proudly display the 1950 Eddie Paul Customized black Mercury that was featured in the hit movie Grease. Representing today's modern customizing mavericks will be Beau Boeckmann, President of Galpin Motors and President of Galpin Auto Sports, who will showcase several creations from the company's eclectic collection.
"We've made a lot of changes to the 2013 Show and we feel the Motoring Invitational is one that recognizes the city's unique car culture and unofficial title as the automotive capital of the world," said Lisa Kaz, president of the LA Auto Show and Connected Car Expo. "We're grateful to the top collectors, celebrities and institutions who will be participating, and with more than 60 incredible vehicles on display, we're sure this will be a memorable celebration that our Press Day attendees will enjoy."
The Motor Press Guild will also unveil two winners of its Innovation Vehicle of the Year award at 7:30 a.m. during the Motoring Invitational. Twelve finalists in two categories, under $29,000 and more than $29,000, have been chosen and all MPG journalist and analyst members vote for the winner. Vehicles are evaluated on overall innovation, technology, engineering, safety, environmental impact, price, affordability and value. Some of Los Angeles' most popular gourmet food trucks will be onsite serving popular breakfast bites, along with live music to help kick-off the inaugural event. The Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack (NYSE: "PBY") mascots, will also be on hand to greet attendees and mingle amongst the crowd.
Fresh from its debut at SEMA, the custom "MRT Fiesta St Forza 5 Edition" will be on display alongside Xbox One Tour trucks featuring exclusive demos of "Forza Motorsport 5" giving guests the opportunity to play the game days before its release. Members of the Forza team will also be on hand to answer questions.
The 2013 MPG Motoring Invitational Presented by Forza Motorsport 5 and Xbox One and breakfast will be exclusive to Press Day attendees. Media registration for LA Auto Show and Connected Car Expo Press Days can be accessed here. General registration for CCE is also open at this time. For more information, please visit www.laautoshow.com and www.connectedcarexpo.com.


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The people behind "Orphan" are finally kicking the promotion train into gear, with a slew of new pics today. Seriously? A week away from release? The studio's lack of enthusiasm should tell you all you need to know about this one.
Darron Aranofsky's commitment to his thriller "Black Swan" may be pulling him away from the "Robocop" remake. That would make sense, since Natalie Portman is set to star in "Black Swan", and she's one of the hottest and most talented women alive. On the other hand, you can't even carress Robocop... he's all sharp edges and joints that pinch you if you're not careful. Seems like a no-brainer to me.
Here's a picture of Anne Hathaway holding a rat in a still for Tim Burton's "Alice". So ya, that happened.
Kate Bosworth lands female lead in "Straw Dogs" remake. She'll star alongside Alexander Skarsgard and James Marsden, in the remake of the 1971 Sam Peckinpah film starring Dustin Hoffman.
"Trick 'R Treat" DVD and Blu-ray art! I don't even own a Blu-ray player, but I might get a copy just for that cover.


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While C.O.B.R.A. Insurance might be a lifesaver for some individuals, individuals often take the C.O.B.R.A. option when they shouldn't. If compared to private medical care assurance, COBRA can be pricey, it can be over too early and it can put someone else in control of your policy.
COBRA is often too pricey
COBRA is s short-term solution
C.O.B.R.A. is under someone else's control
C.O.B.R.A. is often too costly
The COBRA law gives you the right to be covered by a group insurance policy. One of the biggest misconceptions individuals have about healthcare Insurance is that group insurance policies are less expensive than individual and/or family health care insurance policies that you can purchase on your own. While this is sometimes true, it isn't usually. In many states, health care coverage costs more when bought through an employer.
This is because of the cost of governmental mandates that apply to group health care insurance policies that don't apply to private medical care insurance policies. A company offering a group assurance policy may have to offer a policy to anyone regardless of their medicalcare history. coverage companies cannot drop an insured person from their family and/or individual health Insurance plan simply because their health has gotten worse after their policy's effective date, but they won't take new people with pre-existing conditions. This can mean that the insurance company's costs are much higher for their group coverage policies than for their family or individual healthcare assurance policies.
You may be offered the group insurance plan that you had before your employment concluded or if your company has made changes in the policies they offer to their current employees, it may be a different healthcare policy.
C.O.B.R.A. is s short-term solution
In most scenarios, COBRA may be kept for a maximum of 18 months, although in certain scenarios, this time period can be extended to 36 months. This may mean that your coverage may end when you need it the most. A good family and/or individual health assurance policy may cover you until you reach the age of 65.
You may be healthy enough to qualify for a long-term health Insurance plan at the time when your job ends but not 18 months later. If you or someone in your family contract an illness or have trauma that prevents you from buying a policy at the end of your COBRA eligibility
COBRA is under someone else's control
When you mail in your COBRA payments, you send them to your former company. Although this happens rarely, sometimes companies will take your money and never pay the insurance company.
If your company changes the plans that are offered to their current employees, they may also change the plans available to those eligible for health care Insurance because they have taken the COBRA option. This may mean that your policy may not cover you as well as it used to. You might suddenly be in the position of having an expensive plan that no longer covers you well.
Scenarios where C.O.B.R.A. is better than individual medicalcare insurance:
When C.O.B.R.A. is much less pricey than a private assurance policy
A family or individual medical care coverage plan isn't available to you
You're assured a medical assurance plan before your COBRA eligibility ends.
There are situations where COBRA is a better option than a family and/or individual medical care coverage plan. If you are not able to purchase a healthcare policy on your own at a reasonable rate and you find that your COBRA option isn't too pricey C.O.B.R.A. may be your best options. This of course is also true if you cannotpurchase a C.O.B.R.A. plan because of a preexisting medical condition. Another situation when COBRA can be a good option is when you will be eligible for Medicare or some other medicalcare policy before your C.O.B.R.A. eligibility will end.


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Come Again?
Need to inject a personal Happy Birthday today…..my dear dad, who turns 94. That makes him the oldest living Shenk.
At 94, he gets around pretty well, using an occasional walker at his independent living residence back home in Myerstown, PA.
From time to time, he will send some newspaper clippings. A while ago he sent one that appeared in the London News. Didn't ask where he found it but know he's never been to England and I'm sure the London News isn't delivered to Myerstown. Plus ,dad doesn't use the internet.
Anyway, here's a London News explanation on how the American game of baseball is played:
"You have two sides, one out in the field and one in.
"Each man that's on the side that is in, goes out; and when he comes in, the next man goes in until he's out.
"When three men are out, the side that's out comes in; and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in, out.
"Sometimes you get men still in and not out. When both sides have been in and out nine times including the not outs, that's the end of the game."
2 Comments
Yet another reason I'm happy to be living in the good 'ol US of A!!
Happy 94th Birthday Pappa Shenk!
A few years back, I was in Australia and an Aussie tried to explain the game of cricket to me. It sounded an awful lot like that London explaination of baseball….blew my mind. Ha!
Well, happy birthday to papa Shenk! 94 years…amazing!


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Violet Connor
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I love men and women that have: Intelligence, Generosity, A sense of humor, Open mindedness, and just an all around fun person!
My Fantasies
Always dreamed of having sex in the middle of an abandoned beach, having sex with a mysterious stranger. The world of fantasy is full of possibilities. Keep an open and aware mind about the freedom to open up to your desires.
My Obsessions & Desires
I like role plays, unexpected experiences . the forbidden is always better, let go, relax, be your and do not worry, I love my dildos, they are great, we could enjoy a lot together!
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I really love to explore my limits and be guided in this world of fantasies. I enjoy the satisfaction of making your dreams come true as I love getting to know you better. I see you in my private room and your attempt on your own.
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Well I like to practice kindness and I do not fear the truth. I make mistakes, but I have them and I learn from them, I love camping and going for a run, I would also like to see the anime psychology movies and do anything like draw, paint, whatever it is
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Anal, Domination, Double Penetration, Feet, Paddling/Spanking/Whips, Piercings and Tattoos, Smoking, Stockings/Panty Hose, Submission, Trampling
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Cosplay, Dirty Talk, Service Worker/Housewife, Student/Teacher
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Driving the protein economy: unprecedented challenges and opportunities
The global population is inexorably moving from its current 7.2 billion towards 9 billion plus with the lion's share of the additional 2 billion expected over the next 30 years coming from emerging countries. The combination of more people with higher incomes will bring changes in diet with demand continuing to burgeon for animal products – meat, eggs and dairy – albeit at a reduced level from the frenetic rates experienced between 1980 and 2010. Poultry, pork and eggs will see the fastest growth to 2030, with farmed fish and seafood expansion more than compensating for the decline in wild caught aquatic species and the premium minority meats, beef and lamb, advancing but more sedately!
So, for those in meat, eggs and dairy businesses, should they sit back and enjoy the ride? Not exactly, as recent evidence from the global dairy industry has shown, the longer-term demand picture may be rosy but, in the short-term, prices can be extraordinarily volatile (e.g. second quarter 2016 global milk prices plummeted to close to half those experienced in halcyon 2013). A toxic coincidence of farmers expanding milk production in response to higher prices, changes in the EU dairy policy environment, softening demand occasioned by slower economic growth in major emerging countries, and previous over-purchasing resulted in a collapse in global milk prices. And, who's to say that the American mid-West drought which induced a spike in food and feed grain prices in 2011 and 2012 will not be repeated because of further unforeseen and unpredictable climate events with consequential damage to profitability in the intensive livestock sector? In short, businesses should be positive about the future but ensure that they have the resilience to cope with increasing volatility in international commodity prices.
The demand picture for meat across the globe is distinctly polarized: strong growth in most emerging countries contrasts starkly with static or declining per capita consumption, particularly for beef and pork, in the developed world (e.g. USA, UK and France), although chicken seems to buck this trend. This "Peak Meat" status can be explained by high absolute levels of meat consumption in some developed countries (e.g. +100 kg per capita in the USA). But, also, contemporary research from the UK shows that some consumers are reducing meat consumption because of health concerns (58%), to save money in difficult financial times (21%), because of concerns about animal welfare (20%) and food safety (19%), and worries about the environmental impact of livestock production (11%). Meat reducers are more likely to be female, and/or older consumers (NatCen Survey of British Social Attitudes, 2016).
The "processed meat and red meat is bad for your health" lobby is controversial – and includes the UN WHO identifying consumption of hot dogs, ham, sausages, etc., as being particularly prone to increase colorectal cancers, and red meats (i.e. beef, lamb and pork) being "probably carcinogenic to humans" (October, 2015). Such admonishments are widely ignored by consumers confused by the cacophony surrounding conflicting media stories on what is good or bad for us to eat. However, special interest groups representing "meat reducers" are relentless promoting such events as "World Meat Free Day" (June 13th, 2016). For them, the Doomsday specter is where consumers in emerging countries adopt the meat-rich diets of the developed world to the detriment of their health but most particularly the health of the global environment.
Food trend watchers in high income countries note the growing interest in "flexitarian" diets – i.e. where consumers elect to eat an increasing number of meals and snacks that are fruit- and vegetable-based rather than meat-based. In effect, they become part-time vegetarians and this is reflected in the huge growth in interest in plant-based protein foods and drinks. This year (2016) is the UN-sponsored International Year of Pulses and their protein content, and sustainability and nutrition credentials are presented front and center in the strap line – "nutritious seeds for a sustainable future". In the "flower power" 1970's, vegetarian fare was dire – gritty soyburgers and dull nut roasts. Now, there are ample tasty main meals and snacks that are "meat-free": e.g. in the UK, BOL brand Sri Lankan Lentil Sambar is advertised as being "super food for super people". This should be no surprise as the core diet of the Indian sub-continent is meat-free and has been serving up delicious vegetarian meals for millennia!
Well-financed start-up companies, largely based in California, present a more direct threat to the global meat industry through their launch of meat and egg analogue products:
- Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat are on the cusp of full-scale commercial launch of plant-based burgers in the USA. Their selling proposition is that they are tasty, mimic the mouth feel and experience of eating meat burgers, and have comforting environmental credentials superior to beef.
- Quorn is a fungal mycoprotein that very effectively mimics chicken meat products. Now with over 30 years in developed country markets, the brand has been purchased by Monde Nissin of The Philippines (for US$831 million) and the company clearly believes that Quorn has potential in the vast growing Asian market. In the UK, Quorn meat substitute products are sold directly next to chicken in the meat departments of supermarkets.
- Hampton Creek, with its pea protein-based Just Mayo eggless mayonnaise has had commercial success in American retail and food service markets – prompting Unilever (owner of the Hellmann's brand) who, initially, sought to sue Hampton Creek for misnomenclature, to launch its own version of an eggless mayonnaise product.
In mature developed markets, the major meats from animals will face increasing pressure from non-meat proteins which will be capable of competing on taste, price and their "green" credentials (e.g. environmental impact, sustainability, etc.). Factors driving food purchasing behavior are becoming more complex. Price, taste and convenience have been overwhelmingly the principal drivers but, now, shoppers increasingly want values in addition to value. Product attributes might include:
- place and method of production and even farm of production;
- provenance and the background story of the product;
- care for the local economy;
- animal welfare;
- worker welfare;
- environmental impact and overall sustainability.
Producers and processors often express skepticism about the genuine interest of consumers in some of these more esoteric attributes and whether they are willing to pay more for them. Survey results suggest "a willingness to pay" for products which have strong environmental credentials. But the reality is that consumers increasingly expect food producers to respond to their emerging social concerns about the growing, processing and selling of food in a socially-responsible manner. There is no premium to be earned for doing so but there is certainly a discount if consumer wishes are ignored! In short, the "green bar" is going up and the challenge for the food industry is to meet, indeed, exceed consumer expectations and thereby earn their longer-term loyalty.
The burgeoning concerns about social values associated with food production are not exclusive to élite Western consumers. For example, Nielsen research (2016) identifies that Asian consumers look for and reward with their custom companies that are environmentally-friendly (on, say, packaging waste and recyclability), concerned about social values such as health of the local community and, critically, health of their customers.
Of course, a country market (e.g. USA, China) is not a homogenous entity – it comprises distinct segments with consumers within a segment sharing similar wants and needs for their food products. "Ability to pay" is key and income level is an important factor determining food choice. Anywhere in the world, low income consumers will seek the lowest cost products if they are adequately to feed their families but, irrespective, they can aspire to higher quality products and more treats! For those that can afford to pay a premium, there is clear market evidence that consumers in developed countries are electing to eat less meat overall, but when they do eat meat they want to eat better. What an opportunity for the meat (and egg) industry!
The big challenge for meat, egg and dairy producers is to work out exactly what attributes consumers value in their food and drink products and are willing to pay extra for. The germane question is: "what do you want with your meat?" and the responses might include:
- free-range ...
- slow-grown ...
- happy/contented ...
- grass-fed ...
- vegetarian-fed ...
- Aberdeen Angus ...
- rare breed ...
- produced by Farmer Smith ...
- organic ...
- Omega-3-rich ...
- local ...
Chicken, pork, beef, fish are the nouns of the meat world and essentially represent their respective commodity groups. These nouns earn commodity prices which may provide a decent return for the lowest cost producers. But the attractive margins are in the adjectives (and adjectival phrases) that embellish the nouns – e.g. from the above list, first the adjectives Farmer Smith's Scottish, grass-fed, Aberdeen Angus then the noun beef!
Continuing the adjectival theme, and coining a phrase: consumers want their food free and show a distinct preference for adjectives to be added not additives to be added! Specifically:
- antibiotic-free;
- hormone-free;
- additive-free;
- campylobacter-free;
- salmonella-free;
- GMO-free;
- gluten-free;
- free-range.
For most of the above, the expectation is that these will be provided as a matter of course and without a price premium. The routine use of antibiotics in animal feed to improve growing efficiency is under particular attack at present. The fast food market leaders McDonald's and Yum! Brands (owner of KFC) are, currently, responding to shareholder and special interest group pressure to remove routine usage. It is indicative of the global interest in this issue when the leading article in the prestigious current affairs magazine The Economist (May 21st, 2016) carries the headline "When the Drugs Don't Work" and the global livestock and meat industry is identified as a particular culprit in the over-use of antibiotics.
Around the globe, big food companies ("Big Food") are accused of over-processing their products and using ingredients that might pose a health risk to consumers. Worrisomely, Big Food is sometimes characterized as Big Bad Food! Consumers seek food products with few, simple, "natural", not artificial ingredients ("ingredients I can pronounce"!). In some emerging countries (e.g. China), food safety is a huge issue and there is pervasive concern about the integrity of food supply chains. This cocktail of consumer concerns ("we want adjectives not additives"!) and consumer demand for food with compelling stories (adding adjectives to nouns) presents substantial commercial opportunities for companies who understand consumer wants and have high integrity processes and closely-managed supply chains with trusted partners.
In a market environment where consumers show a willingness to pay a premium for product attributes that they cannot see or taste (so-called credence attributes), then, inevitably the incidence of food fraud will increase – criminals will seek to exploit lack of transparency. Consumers cannot "taste" a story, provenance, or method of production – they take it on trust. The more promises producers make about their products, the more important it is to deliver on these promises. Corporate reputations are made over decades but can be destroyed in minutes! The 2013 "HorseGate" scandal in Europe badly damaged the reputation of Tesco, a global retailer. Consumers quickly recognized that the horse meat in Tesco beef burgers was not a safety issue but it was a food integrity issue. If a company says on the packet that its burgers are made of beef, then, this better be true! Delivering on your corporate promises is as vitally important as doing so on your family promises at home!
In the hustle and bustle of producing meat, eggs and dairy products in a food industry which is intensely competitive, the raison d'être for the industry's existence is often forgotten – delighting consumers with our food and drink products! On alternate years, SIAL in Paris and ANUGA in Cologne host major international food fairs for the trade. As a backcloth, market research is tabled showing the principal attributes of food and drink products which have been successfully launched across the world in a given year. More recently, those that succeeded offered products that were:
- really tasty, in fact, "more-ish"!;
- convenient – to buy, prepare, present, consume and dispose;
- with strong health and well-being hooks. An important caveat is that convenience trumps health – i.e. the product could have hugely compelling health advantages but this comes to naught if it is difficult to prepare/consume, etc.;
- wrapped up with strong social values;
- made from natural, few and simple ingredients (see earlier);
- linked with a "super ingredient" - e.g. Omega-3 in oily fish and, now, chicken fed on an Omega-3 rich diet;
- indulgent but affordable;
- and in a format that can be eaten as a snack.
Products must be consonant with changing consumer demographic trends. For example, one consequence of both increasing consumer incomes and urbanization is the growth of smaller households, more eating outside the home, more "solo" eating (eating alone) and, even when we eat as a family, we don't necessarily eat the same – e.g. the daughter is a vegetarian, father is gluten-intolerant, the son has hockey practice and has to rush out mid-way through supper with a sandwich! Further, to the concern of many dieticians, the traditional 3 meals a day eating pattern is fragmenting – some consumers prefer a series of mini-meals or a succession of snacks. The result is that consumers, increasingly, look for meal and snack solutions, not problems. Chunks of meat are problematic – what do I have to do with this to produce a meal that will feed, nourish and delight my family? In history, the answer to the question "What shall we have for dinner?" might have been "Beef"; now, it is more likely to be "what about Chinese, Italian or an Indian meal?" The choice of protein no longer comes first and the meat industry tends to find this threatening.
Of course, the reality is that this change brings substantial opportunity to add value to lumps of commodity meat. Arguably, the chicken industry has responded quickest and best to this new consumer reality. The pork industry has long had a value-added orientation and, in many pork-consuming countries, half the pork consumed is processed (e.g. into bacon, ham, fresh sausages, salami, etc.). The global salmon industry has a strong commodity streak but the universal attraction of sushi brings value-added opportunities. It is the minority, albeit premium meats, beef and lamb that have most immediate need to embrace a consumer view of their product portfolio. However, the meat industry overall is firmly on the commodity side of the spectrum and must learn quickly from the best consumer-driven fast moving consumer goods companies on how to meet and exceed consumer expectations for safe, tasty, nutritious and exciting food products.
One of the enigma's of the global meat protein industry is that fish and seafood producers rarely consider that they compete with land-based meats and vice versa! Yet, from a consumer perspective, meat, fish, eggs and plant-based proteins are all substitutes for each other. Globally, fish and seafood are in prime position, with pork and poultry sharing second place. Take out the dominant China from the overall meat equation and fish and seafood share primacy with poultry. Within much of Asia and Africa, fish are a hugely important source of protein for consumers. The big global battle for affordable meat protein in emerging markets is between "industrially-produced" chicken and fish. Farmed fish such as tilapia and pangasius are highly efficient in converting fish feed into fish meat, with chicken the next most efficient converters. The challenge for pork and, particularly, beef and lamb producers and processors is to distance themselves from the intense commodity battle between "the white meats". In the future, all meats will have to keep a keen eye on the emerging meat analogues (faux meats) that seem to be establishing a toehold in, particularly, developed markets. Their much-improved taste and "mouth-feel" similar to meat plus perceived environmental credentials may well portend a bright future and a serious competitor to "real" meat!
The global meat industry has a great future strewn with considerable challenges and offering exciting opportunities:
- Prices for the principal inputs of intensive livestock production which, often, account for more than 50% of total costs are inherently unstable. Climate events will create havoc in global feed grain and oilseed markets and obfuscate business planning for the meat industry.
- Meat demand is more predictable albeit polarized globally - buoyant in emerging markets and subdued, even static in developed country markets.
- Vocal and influential special interest groups stress the need to reduce meat consumption on health and environmental grounds. This has resonance with some consumers and is disproportionately covered by media.
- "New wave" meat analogues, based on plant proteins, with strong financial backers are beginning to have market traction and may be substantial competitors in the future.
- Across the globe, middle income consumers want more from their meat, although they may buy less! They want more taste, more stories, more social values and, for some of these "credence" attributes, they may even pay more. Although, in general, consumers expect the meat industry to raise its game on social aspects of production at no extra cost to consumers.
- The more intangible, credence attributes promised that command a premium price, the more likely there will be food fraud. This will be threatening and, potentially, very damaging for brand owners.
- Chicken, pork, beef, lamb and fish are the commodity nouns with extraordinarily thin margins. It is the adjectives supporting the nouns where the profits lie for the consumer-centric meat business.
- All consumers want safer meat with high integrity supply chains and their great preference is to have meat free of antibiotics, hormones and scary additives irrespective of the scientific rationale for their use.
- Building trust with consumers starts with understanding their values relating to meat and, then, aligning the industry's values with those of consumers.
- In urbanized middle class societies with small households, selecting the meat species for the center of the family meal is old-fashioned! Finding a quick and easy solution for the family's meal problem is the most pertinent issue. Will it be an Indian, Chinese, Italian or Mexican meal? Whether it be chicken, pork or fish will be a secondary decision.
- The future looks bright for the global meat industry. Its biggest challenge is to move at pace from being production-orientated/supply-driven to a consumer-facing/-friendly meal and snack solution provider.


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Bootstrap your savings with these tips and strategies from personal finance expert Dr. Barbara O'Neill and find lots more in her book Saving on a Shoestring.
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LONDON (Reuters) - Former Credit Suisse CSGN.VX trader Kareem Serageldin expects to reach a plea agreement with the U.S. government over allegations of a $3 billion fraud involving subprime mortgage bonds, a British court heard on Wednesday.
He is the most senior banker charged in a scandal dating back to 2007, in which mortgage-backed securities traders were caught trying to cover up losses on their books, prosecutors say.
Serageldin, 39, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court for a short hearing as part of extradition proceedings. The case was adjourned until January 14 next year.
The U.S. has been seeking his extradition since his arrest in Britain two months ago.
The Egyptian-born Serageldin, former global head of structure credit trading for Credit Suisse, spoke only to confirm his age and name in court on Wednesday. He is free on bail pending the outcome of the extradition process.
His lawyer Ben Brandon told the court that Serageldin was in negotiations with the U.S. Department of Justice towards an eventual plea.
"The expectation is that the discussions will be fruitful," Brandon said. "I am able to say that a final reply is awaited."
Brandon suggested that if the response from Washington was as hoped and expected, the extradition proceedings would no longer be necessary.
The court will hear an update on the negotiations at the January hearing.
Two other Credit Suisse employees pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court in February to criminal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and falsify books and records, making it the first successful U.S. prosecution of employees of a major bank involved in the subprime meltdown of 2007-08.
Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; Editing by Tom Pfeiffer


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'Nashville' becomes thriving franchise
They play the roles of country music superstars on the ABC hit primetime drama but Nashville cast members are becoming real-life chart-toppers with original music escalating to the top of sales charts and live performances to sold-out crowds in major markets.
ABC Studios, Lionsgate, Opry Entertainment and Big Machine Records — the entertainment heavyweights behind the show — have turned the Nashville audience into real fans. Viewers have become key purchasers of music, tour tickets and other branded merchandise in a mere two seasons of the show. ABC announced last week that the show will return to Nashville for a third season this fall.
"Nashville has quickly become more than just a TV series; it has become a serious multimedia franchise," said Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of Big Machine Label Group – the record label who markets and distributes music from the show. "It's rare that a TV show brand can surpass its presence on the small screen, but the strong music sales prove that there's a passion and a real connection between the viewers and the cast."
Immediately following the April 23rd broadcast of ABC's Nashville: On The Record, a special album of live song recordings from several cast members entitled Nashville: On The Record (LIVE) was released to iTunes. Immediately propelling to #1 on the iTunes all-genre chart, the project is still in the Top 5 Country albums nearly two weeks later. Additionally, all three previously released The Music Of Nashville soundtracks jumped into the Top 15 on the iTunes Country Albums chart during the same time period.
"On The Record has always been a celebration of the songwriters and a gift to our fans, we are thrilled that it is also bringing new viewers to the show and music in a way that is so authentic to Nashville," said ABC's Dawn Soler.
"Nashville has quickly become more than just a TV series; it has become a serious multimedia franchise!"
To date, the soundtracks have sold over 600,000 copies and over three million individual track downloads.
The Music Of Nashville Season 2, Volume 2 was released to all digital retailers on May 6th. The standard version includes 11 tracks while a special deluxe edition containing 21 tracks is now available exclusively at Target.
The first-ever Nashville Concert Tour with series stars Charles Esten, Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, Sam Palladio, Chris Carmack and Will Chase, delivered over and above in Chicago; Washington, DC; Philadelphia and New York City, with sell outs at all stops. Fans screamed the names of their favorite "Nashville" characters as they performed original songs from the show onstage. The tour is presented by the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation and produced by Opry Entertainment. ABC affiliates in each city provided promotional support and shared the excitement of the Nashville tour.
"The response from the audience at the live shows has been overwhelming. The excitement begins with the first note and builds to a fervor with moments where the audience is singing along to each word," said Steve Buchanan, President Opry Entertainment Group and "Nashville" executive producer. "The tour highlights the extraordinary talent of our cast and underscores the passionate musical connection created between the tv show and its fans."
"'Nashville' is a shining star in the television world – a first-rate drama and a musical franchise that continues to build on its passionate fan base. The must-have musical download story evidenced by the chart-topping OTR performance confirms what we have known all along – America loves Nashville," said Lionsgate's Kevin Beggs.
Author: Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites.


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Cubs notes from Sept. 25.
The top member of the Cubs' brass had a good laugh this week. Cubs president John McDonough on Tuesday denied a weekend report on the New York Magazine Web site that said members of New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez's camp were in talks about bringing the star to Chicago with a front-runner who would buy the Cubs. There was reportedly a 10-year, $300 million deal discussed that would include deferred money for future ownership in the team. That type of deal would be against Major League Baseball rules. While A-Rod could opt out of his deal after this season and the Cubs likely would have interest in trying to bring him to town, McDonough found the New York Magazine story to be humorous. "I laughed when I heard it — it's outrageous," McDonough said. Added Cubs manager Lou Piniella, who managed Rodriguez in Seattle when A-Rod broke into the league: "There's no truth to that story. Do you think his agent (Scott Boras) would fall into a trap like that? He wouldn't do that." Boras denied the report. "Great players with great demand create great rumors," Boras told The Associated Press. "While I would enjoy having lunch with (potential Cubs owners) Mark Cuban and (John) Canning, at this point of the year, that conversation would not include Alex Rodriguez. I have not talked to anyone." Marq it Down Tonight's scheduled Cubs starter, Jason Marquis, broke into the majors with Atlanta in 2000. In four seasons with the Braves and three with St. Louis, he has been on playoff teams seven straight seasons. "Maybe I'm a lucky charm. Maybe I'm not," Marquis said. "I would like to think I had something to do with every one of those. Hopefully, we can keep it going." Marquis is 12-8 this season. He will try to forget his last start, in which he gave up seven runs in 22⁄3 innings in a no-decision against Pittsburgh on Friday. Don't Mark it Down Piniella originally had Steve Trachsel scheduled to pitch Thursday against Florida, Rich Hill on Friday in Cincinnati, Carlos Zambrano on Saturday and Ted Lilly on Sunday. Tuesday night, the skipper said that after Marquis' start tonight, there could be changes in that plan. "We're probably going to tweak our pitching between now and Sunday," Piniella said. "Whoever is scheduled — I wouldn't exactly go to the bank with it." That could mean the Cubs have second thoughts about using Trachsel, who hasn't pitched since Sept. 13. TB or not TB Who knew that when Piniella went 63-99, 70-91 and 67-95 as Tampa Bay's manager from 2003-05 that it would have an impact on this year's Cubs? Piniella said he learned a lot from the three losing seasons. "In retrospect, it was a mistake (going to Tampa Bay)," he said. "But I wanted to be home. I learned a lot. I learned about managing young kids. I learned about patience. In this business, you learn a lot more from losing than winning, and there, I learned a hell of a lot." That might be a reason why he has trusted young players such as Ryan Theriot, Matt Murton and Geovany Soto during the stretch run. "The young kids bring enthusiasm and vim and vigor to the situation," Piniella said. "We used a lot of young kids here." Santo Back Cubs legend and WGN Radio analyst Ron Santo was back in the booth after missing the weekend series with Pittsburgh with a virus. Santo said he thought it would be best to rest up and be strong for this week and the playoffs, if the Cubs make it that far. Santo missed the 2003 playoffs with bladder cancer. "I don't want to miss it this year," he said. Short Hops Theriot was back in the lineup after missing Sunday's game with back spasms. ... Zambrano threw in the outfield, and Piniella is convinced Zambrano's ailment (right forearm cramping Sunday) is a thing of the past. More Cubs news is at www.dailysouthtown.com/sports.


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Then let not winter's ragged hand deface,
In thee thy summer, ere thou be distilled:
Make sweet some vial; treasure thou some place
With beauty's treasure ere it be self-killed.
That use is not forbidden usury,
Which happies those that pay the willing loan;
That's for thy self to breed another thee,
Or ten times happier, be it ten for one;
Ten times thy self were happier than thou art,
If ten of thine ten times refigured thee:
Then what could death do if thou shouldst depart,
Leaving thee living in posterity?
Be not self-willed, for thou art much too fair
To be death's conquest and make worms thine heir.
Sonnet 6: Translation to modern English
So don't let winter's ragged hand disfigure that summer in you before your essence is distilled. Fill some vial; enrich some woman's womb with the treasure of your beauty before it dies. The interest from that would not be illegal lending if it made the willing borrower happy, which would happen if the loan was to breed another of yourself. Or ten times better if the interest were ten for one. Ten of yourself would be better than just one of you, with ten of your children existing, making ten images of you. Then what effect could death have if you should die, leaving you alive after your death? Don't be obstinate because you are far too beautiful to be the victim of death and have only worms as your heirs.


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This variable identifies the beneficiary copay amount for a 3 month supply of the drugs on this tier, using mail order non-preferred pharmacy (MONPP; also known as a standard mail order pharmacy within a split network) during the pre-initial coverage limit (ICL) phase of the Part D benefit.
Plans that use a coinsurance percentage amount rather than a co-payment amount will not have a value in this field; see instead the corresponding coinsurance variable called (PRE_ICL_MONPP_COINS_3M).Starting in 2016, CMS changed how they describe pharmacy networks. The MOPP are currently referred to as standard mail order pharmacies within split networks. There is no change in the meaning of the variable, and the data values are the same over time.The CCW constructs the Plan Characteristics File from information submitted by plan sponsors to CMS's Health Plan Management System (HPMS). Employer and National Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) plans are waived from reporting Plan Benefit Package information.For those plans that did not report, the value of this variable will be blank.


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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's national campaign co-chairman, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, is stepping down to help raise money for a "super" political committee supporting Obama. The move reflects increasing alarm by Democrats being outspent by Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and shows that despite legal limits, the lines between campaigns and super PACs are blurry.
The campaign and the super PAC confirmed Wednesday that Emanuel — once one of Obama's closest White House aides — is joining Priorities USA Action, which is run with the help of other former White House advisers and has spent millions of dollars on ads to help the president. Emanuel brings fundraising gusto to an operation that so far has trailed its GOP counterparts in the money race, partly because some prominent Democratic donors including financier George Soros consider super PACs distasteful.
The move adds another wrinkle to Obama's evolving positions on how elections are funded. Campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Wednesday that while Obama opposes the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United case that all but unraveled campaign-finance laws, he needs to use all available tools for raising money.
"We're not going to bring a butter knife to a gun fight," she said.
Obama raised a remarkable $750 million four years ago, but his advisers now acknowledge that the incumbent likely will be outspent this time.
The influence of money in politics has received heightened scrutiny this election cycle as super PACs have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to support their favored candidates. This is the first presidential election that is highlighting the impact of these groups.
Super PACs are allowed to raise unlimited money for candidates, but they are supposed to remain separate from the campaigns they support and not coordinate with them.
Federal Election Commission regulations require officials who are "materially involved" in decisions about super PAC finances to be independent from the candidate. That is why Emanuel officially resigned from Obama's campaign.
"It meets the current, pathetic legal definition of 'independent,' not the common-sense one," Trevor Potter, a former FEC commissioner and a staunch advocate of campaign finance reform, said of the Emanuel switch.
FEC rules largely prohibit paid employees and independent contractors of campaigns from working for a super PAC within 120 days of leaving that campaign. Emanuel was a volunteer for Obama's campaign so that prohibition does not apply to him.
In an interview, Bill Burton, the political committee's senior strategist, said of Emanuel, "It's good to have him on our team and to have his expertise, allowing our donors to listen to our message in a new way."
Burton said Emanuel's only role would be fundraising and the mayor wouldn't help make strategic decisions about where to spend money.
Priorities USA Action has raised about $25.5 million through July plus an impressive $10 million last month, the group said. Still, it lags similar Republican-leaning groups in overall fundraising; those super PACs hope to raise more than $300 million by November to pay for ads assailing Obama or supporting his GOP challenger, Mitt Romney.
Emanuel has been Obama's right hand man in the White House and served as his first chief of staff. He called Obama a "once-in-a-generation president" in his remarks to delegates Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention. And on Wednesday, he planned to stop by first lady Michelle Obama's private skybox at the convention, according to the White House.
A spokeswoman for Emanuel declined to comment to The Associated Press. Emanuel told The Washington Post that he was "helping, not running" the super PAC.
Such close relationships between candidates' advisors and super PACs have happened on the Republican side, too.
Restore Our Future, a pro-Romney super PAC that's spent more than $90 million so far, is run with the help of former Romney campaign adviser Carl Forti. He also consults for American Crossroads, the GOP-supportive super PAC run with the help of Karl Rove, adviser to former President George W. Bush.
Those interactions have also drawn criticism. Rove appeared at a Romney campaign fundraising retreat in Park City, Utah, this summer. Rove and Romney adviser Ed Gillespie also hosted a closed-door political briefing with top donors last month in Colorado.
Spending by campaigns, parties, super PACs and other outside groups in this presidential campaign will likely approach $2 billion by November by both parties combined.
Earlier this week, two people familiar Romney's fundraising efforts said his campaign and the Republican Party raised at least $100 million in August, hitting that figure for the third consecutive month. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share internal campaign matters; the campaign says it will release its official numbers next week.
Romney and the GOP raised a combined $101 million in July, $106 million in June and $76.8 million in May. For their part, Obama and the Democrats pulled in $75 million last month, and $71 million in June and $60 million in May.
PACs like American Crossroads and Restore Our Future — buoyed with the support of wealthy donors — have spent tens of millions of dollars on TV ads critical of Obama in key states, and the groups expect to spend much more as November approaches. Another pro-Obama super PAC, American Bridge 21st Century, has raised millions of dollars, but it instead focuses much of its efforts on so-called opposition research critical of the GOP.


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Portletswap is a one-stop-shop for JSR-168 compliant portlets and JBoss Portal themes and layouts for use in JBoss Portal. Our goal is to make it easy for JBoss Portal community members to actively extend JBoss Portal. Both free and commercial portlets, themes and layouts are available here.
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