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UH Mānoa mathematicians to work with K-12 teachers and studentsUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
A team of UH Mānoa mathematics professors will launch the School and University Partnership for Educational Renewal in Mathematics (SUPER-M), at the new project's opening ceremony on Friday, August 21, at 9 a.m.
The two-day workshop on August 21 and 22 will be held at Keller Hall, room 303. Keller Hall is located near the visitor parking lot behind Kennedy Theatre.
Led by Monique Chyba, the UH Mānoa team—whose members include Erik Guentner, Mirjana Jovovic, Michelle Manes and David Ross—was awarded a grant of approximately $2.7 million over a period of five years by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to bring the expertise of UH Mānoa research mathematicians into K-12 classrooms in Hawaiʻi.
SUPER-M reflects the ongoing commitment of UH Mānoa to mathematics education in the wider Hawaiʻi community. SUPER-M will partner graduate Fellows in the mathematics department with K-12 mathematics teachers from public schools on Oʻahu, Maui and the Big Island.
The Fellows are Austin Anderson, Marisa Billington, Tristan Holmes, Hye Kim, John Marriott and Jean Verette.
The grant is provided under NSF's Division of Graduate Education, in its GK-12 (Graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education) program, which has funded approximately 20 projects each year since its establishment in 1999. The program recognizes the impact that vibrant graduate research departments in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields can have on the quality of education at the K-12 level.
August 21, 2009
9:00 a.m. Welcome note and brief introduction to the project – Monique Chyba
9:10 Welcome note – Alan Teramura, dean of the College of Natural Sciences
9:20 Presentation of the UH Mānoa team
9:45 15-minute coffee break
10:00 Presentation of the schools + partner teachers
10:30 Goals and objectives of the program – Monique Chyba
11:00 Evaluator Charles Guili
11:30 Presentation of Fellows
Noon Each Fellow takes members of a partner school for a campus tour
12:30 Lunch break
1:15 Welcome note – Wayne Smith, chair of the Department of Mathematics
1:30 K-12 seminar – Michelle Manes
2:00 Activities involving Fellows and partner teachers
3:00 Guest speaker Justin Henneman
3:30 HPC presentation – Sue Brown
3:44 Open questions and closing comments for the day
August 22, 2009
9:00 a.m. Program manager Linda Venenciano
9:30 Activities designed by the Fellows
11:00 15-minute coffee break
11:15 Open questions
11:45 Activities designed by the Fellows
12:15 p.m. Schedule for the year, workshops at the schools – Mirjana Jovovic
12:35 Interaction between Fellows and the partner teachers
1:00 Closing remarks – Monique Chyba


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A visit to Our School at Blair Grocery, which hopes to empower the youth of New Orleans through food and sustainability
In the syrupy charm of New Orleans's Garden District or the debauchery of the French Quarter, you might think the city has recovered from the trauma of Katrina. Streetcars are running, music is playing, and tourists have stumbled back with beads on. But in the poorest part of the city, which also happens to be the lowest part, it's a different story. Nearly six years on, only 20 percent of pre-hurricane residents have returned to the Lower Ninth Ward. Citywide, the same percentage of residents had returned only four months after the storm.
Christian Adams, 18, told me he has no idea what happened to most of his friends and former neighbors. We shared a bench behind a washed-out store formerly known as Blair Grocery. Now it's a school: Our School at Blair Grocery (OSBG)—a supportive oasis in a neighborhood that also happens to be a food desert, without easy access to fresh produce.
The air smelled of compost, some of which was splattered on Adams's boots. Other neighborhood teens were planting sprouts, harvesting okra and figs, and screening potting soil.
The school is not accredited, and many of its students can't read. Learning to read is not mandatory, says the school's founder, Nat Turner. "If a student wants to learn to read we'll help them learn. If a student wants to take the GED we'll help them prepare," he told me as we rumbled toward Uptown in a creaky pickup at 6:30 in the morning. Turner is lanky, with endless energy. He smoked a hand-rolled cigarette as he drove, switching topics easily between the likes of compost science, racial politics, and global warming.
We pulled in to the dock behind Whole Foods and loaded about 500 pounds of old produce onto the truck, for OSBG's compost pile. Compost is gold at OSBG. Eventually they'll sell the excess soil they build, but now they need all they can make.
At last count, three-quarters of an acre was under cultivation, including bits of unused land on the adjoining, entirely vacant block. The school is largely funded by produce sales, which average $1,500 a week. High-end restaurants on higher ground pay a premium for the produce, which they sell locally at a discount.
The school seeks to "create a resource-rich safe space for youth empowerment and sustainable community development," according to its mission. In a neighborhood notorious for violence, it's a place where students can explore their interests, learn skills like blogging, and formulate and pursue goals. But before you can plan where you're going, Turner says, it helps to understand where you are. Local history is an important part of the curriculum. "They learn that things didn't just happen this way, that certain things led up to it."
The Lower Ninth Ward is a basin without a drain, and surrounded by water. The surfaces of the Mississippi River and Industrial Canal both often run higher than ground level in the neighborhood. When Katrina's storm surge pushed in from the Gulf of Mexico, floodwater spilled into the Lower Ninth Ward from three sides, covering many houses completely. The water was finally pumped out 29 days later. Today, most houses in the ward are gone or vacant. Whole blocks remain empty.
As bad as Katrina was, Turner thinks worse disasters await, both natural and manmade. "It's about being prepared, and figuring out where do we go from here: chaos or community?"
The neighborhood wasn't entirely welcoming to the school, which was founded on Thanksgiving Day, 2008. But locals caught on to what OSBG could do for the community. One current student is a former gang member suspected of vandalizing the school when it first opened.
Renovations to the old grocery building have addressed core issues like structure, water damage, and restoration of utilities, with virtually no attention to finish work. Wires, pipes, and roughed-in beams are exposed. The cinder block wall of the classroom is cracked. The bathroom plumbing can't handle toilet paper. Outside, the lot is filled with raised beds, sheds and hoop houses made from salvaged materials. Shade cloths protecting tender greens are repurposed burlap sacks. The air smells overripe—the result of a compost aeration problem Turner is dealing with.
The first time Jasmine Christmas showed up at the ramshackle school, she thought, "What the hell?"
"But when I started doing things, seeding plants, making compost, I started thinking, 'man this is cool.' I never would have thought that delicious foods like okra and cabbage came from...." She nodded toward the compost pile.
Most groceries in the neighborhood come from the Walmart in nearby St. Bernard Parish. Turner hopes to have a grocery store opened in the building soon. Meanwhile there are beehives to install, chickens to permit, and an overgrown block next door to tame.
I slept on the floor of the classroom, sharing the room with a volunteer group from New York City. Also around by day were some teens paid to work there by the city of New Orleans as part of a summer youth program. When it got too hot out for farm work, the whole crew headed inside to the classroom. Andrew Hammerstein, a UC-Santa Cruz student doing independent study research as an instructor at the school (and who also sleeps in the classroom) led a discussion on environmental racism.
They compared a dam in India, a timber project in Bali, and an oil spill in Nigeria, before turning their attention to the industrial stretch of the Mississippi between Baton Rouge and New Orleans known as "Cancer Alley."
Stuck at the bottom of Cancer Alley, New Orleans was drenched by Katrina with a toxic cocktail of effluent from swamped chemical plants upriver. The Lower Ninth Ward (and neighboring St. Bernard Parish) got the worst of the exposure. After the water was finally pumped out, a film of toxic residue coated the ward for months. The resulting unusable, contaminated topsoil is why compost is so important to OSBG. A farm is only as good as its soil.
Hammerstein read the group an academic definition of environmental racism: "A sociological term referring to the enactment of any policy or regulation that negatively affects the living conditions of low-income or minority communities at a rate disproportionate from affluent communities." Then he asked the group what that meant, "in English."
From the back of the classroom came a response: "Polluting the hood."
Images: Ari LeVaux
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subset: commoncrawl


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ROCK HILL, South Carolina, October 24, 2011 – 3D Systems Corporation (NYSE:DDD) today announced that The3dStudio.com, its leading digital media marketplace, has amassed over two million 2D and 3D resources including textures, tutorials, stock photos, stock images, and vector images. Printable 3D models are the latest and fastest growing offering to become part of this extensive resource library.
"The 3dStudio.com is a vibrant online exchange for professionals and consumers alike," said Rajeev Kulkarni, Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Solutions for 3D Systems. "Our members and consumers are asking for more innovative and printable 3D content and we are answering with a rapidly expanding base of developers. We are committed to develop and deliver the best customer experience available today as we continue to broaden choice, repertoire and utility of 3D printable content."
About 3D Systems Corporation
3D Systems is a leading provider of 3D content-to-print solutions including 3D printers, print materials and on-demand custom parts services for professionals and consumers alike. The company also provides creative content development, design productivity tools and curation services and downloads. Its expertly integrated solutions replace, displace and complement traditional methods and reduce the time and cost of designing new products by printing real parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used to rapidly design, communicate, prototype and produce functional parts, empowering its customers to create with confidence.
More information on the company is available at www.3DSystems.com
To experience our entire range of 3D content-to-print products and services please visit www.printin3D.com, www.production3dprinters.com, www.toptobottomdental.com, www.quickparts.com, www.3Dproparts.com, www.alibre.com, www.bitsfrombytes.com, www.botmill.com, www.The3dStudio.com, www.freedomofcreation.com, www.sycode.com, blog.3dsystems.com, or via email at [email protected].


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The evolution of Codemasters' ToCA Race Driver series has been an interesting one. Unlike franchises which age simply by tacking on a few new elements and a higher numeral to the title, Codemasters' racing sim has cranked things up more than just a notch with each iteration. The original Pro Race Driver was a true Car-PG that had you racing your way -- literally -- through an epic saga of vengeance and sibling rivalry. ToCA Race Driver 2 bagged much of the melodrama and concentrated more on diversifying the driving. ToCA Race Driver 3 ups the ante even further -- putting you in the driver's seat of just about any type of vehicle with four tires and a steering wheel.
Of course, not every racing sim can hit the shelves without someone seeing how it stacks up to the latest in the Gran Turismo series. In GT4, I play as myself -- a guy that plays games for a living who, between real-life trysts with game journalist groupies, upgrades his automotive situation by buying sweeter rides and kicking up the parts of those cars already in his stable. The lifestyle may seem exciting to some, but I'm used to it. Ho-hum... another cutie bowled over by my brilliant take on a GBA platformer. What has set Codemasters' series apart from the scores of other racers is the drama of the back stories.
While not as deep or hokey as that of the first game, I still live the life of a racer who -- day after day -- must put his life on the line in perilous high-speed action. Win a race ugly and there's a cut scene of some angry and vengeful opponent sticking his finger in my chest, threatening me. Where this World Tour Mode feels flat, though, is the way things jump from racing style to racing style. It just doesn't seem all that logical that my career path would take me from an off-road rally one minute to Formula 1000 racing the next minute and then onto a muddy monster truck circuit the next.
A more logical way to play for racing fans is the Career Mode. Here, you choose a discipline and slowly make your way up the ranks. Want to air it out on some of the most famous ovals in the world? You'd better get ready to pay your dues, because before you get to see what Indianapolis looks like at 230 mph, you're going to have to pound the dirt in a quirky lightweight sprintcar. This mode also can seem slightly incomplete. Gone are not only the story-driven RPG elements of the World Tour mode, but also the leveling-up RPG elements found in most racers. Yes, it's cool to move up to more and more challenging versions of a racing style, but what you don't get is that attachment to a particular car or car maker. You don't agonize over what upgrades you're going to spend your money on or whether it's time to spring for an entirely new vehicle.


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Hello all.
Im new to abc. Trying to insert a key signature like "C#", I get the error message mentioned in the subject.
This is a slackware linux system, and I am working on a bash shell.
$LANG is set to C. Encoding of the abc-file is set to ascii, and I tried latin1 too.
What am I doing wrong? I searched the documentation and googled...
TIA, erch


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Karl Hein is known all over the world for his amazing card handling abilities and his naturally disarming performance style. He has performed over 100 lectures in more than 15 countries and has authored many instructional DVDs including "The Heinstein Shuffle", "Heiny 500", "Heinstein's Dream", "Hein's Catch Up" and "The Heinous Collection".
If you are looking for original and entertaining routines developed by an experienced professional magician than this lecture is for you. Karl will use these routines to teach sleights, flourishes and principles of magic and misdirection that both beginners and seasoned professionals can appreciate. More importantly, you will learn how to "Go With the Flow" as Karl explains how to change his routines depending on your skill level, audience and performing conditions.
If card tricks aren't all you're interested in, you'll be glad to know that Karl specializes in performing for family audiences. Don't miss out on learning commercial routines that bring coins, ropes, bills, and cream filled goodies to life. Even more valuable are Karl's thoughts on performing and his tips on how to make a great living performing shows for all ages.


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Ron Paul put his chips on the caucus states and soon he'll see if his bets on Minnesota and Colorado pay off.
So far, the Texas Republican's strategy has been to "get delegates," and tonight, 70 delegates are at stake between the two caucus states. Paul has spent a considerable amount of time campaigning in both states and will be in Minnesota tonight. His outlook seems hopeful.
"It sounds to me like the cause of liberty is alive and well in Minnesota," he said Monday night at a rally in Minneapolis, CNN reported.
On a Feb. 1 conference call, Tim Pawlenty, co-chair of Romney's national presidential campaign, said he expected Paul to have a respectable showing at the polls, largely because of his strong grassroots following.
This week, however, the former Minnesota governor turned his attention to Santorum. On a conference call Monday, Pawlenty criticized Santorum for supporting spending earmarks, CNN reported.
"He has been part of the big spending establishment in Congress and in the influence peddling," Pawlenty said of Santorum.
This attention to Santorum suggests that Romney fears the former Pennsylvania senator may also rack up some delegates.
Overall, Paul is in third place with 15 delegates. Romney is in first with 100 delegates, Gingrich is in second with 35, and Santorum is in fourth with 11.
If Paul wants to get ahead of Gingrich, he'll have to do better than he did four years ago.
In 2008, Romney came in first place in Minnesota, winning 41 percent of the vote, while Paul came in fourth with only 16 percent. In Colorado, Romney took 60 percent of the vote, while Paul only won 8 percent.


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It would be like testing the effectiveness of weed killers, but refusing to consider any cases where the weeds died.
In addition to the Portland mall case, here are a few more examples excluded by the Mother Jones methodology:
Mayan Palace Theater, San Antonio, Texas, this week: Jesus Manuel Garcia shoots at a movie theater, a police car and bystanders from the nearby China Garden restaurant; as he enters the movie theater, guns blazing, an armed off-duty cop shoots Garcia four times, stopping the attack. Total dead: Zero.
Winnemucca, Nev., 2008: Ernesto Villagomez opens fire in a crowded restaurant; concealed-carry permit-holder shoots him dead. Total dead: Two. (I'm excluding the shooters' deaths in these examples.)
Appalachian School of Law, 2002: Crazed immigrant shoots the dean and a professor, then begins shooting students; as he goes for more ammunition, two armed students point their guns at him, allowing a third to tackle him. Total dead: Three.
Santee, Calif., 2001: Student begins shooting his classmates – as well as the "trained campus supervisor"; an off-duty cop who happened to be bringing his daughter to school that day points his gun at the shooter, holding him until more police arrive. Total dead: Two.
Pearl High School, Mississippi, 1997: After shooting several people at his high school, student heads for the junior high school; assistant principal Joel Myrick retrieves a .45 pistol from his car and points it at the gunman's head, ending the murder spree. Total dead: Two.
Edinboro, Pa., 1998: A student shoots up a junior high school dance being held at a restaurant; restaurant owner pulls out his shotgun and stops the gunman. Total dead: One.
By contrast, the shootings in gun-free zones invariably result in far higher casualty figures – Sikh temple, Oak Creek, Wis. (six dead); Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va. (32 dead); Columbine High School, Columbine, Colo. (12 dead); Amish school, Lancaster County, Pa. (five little girls killed); public school, Craighead County, Ark. (five killed, including four little girls).


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It is time for the 5:00 pm MT Giveaway in the Black Friday Giveaway Blitz! As a reminder, here is how these giveaways work:
Each hour starting at 6:00am MT and running through 6:00pm MT today (Friday, November 23rd) we will announce a new giveaway. You will then have exactly one hour to enter and then I will select a winner. The selected winner will then have exactly one hour to e-mail me to claim their prize!
Here is this hour's giveaway: A $25 Amazon gift card!
Here are your options for entering this giveaway:
1. Leave a comment to tell me what you will use this gift card for if you win.
For a Bonus Entry:
2. Become a Bargain Blessings Daily Deal E-mail subscriber. Leave a comment telling me you've done so.
*Subscription must be verified to count as a qualified entry
Remember, I will be selecting the winner at 6:00pm MT and the winner will then have exactly one hour (until 7:00pm MT) to claim their gift card, so don't forget to check back!
*This giveaway is sponsored by Bargain Blessings…because we love you all that much. Happy Black Friday!
*By entering this giveaway you are agreeing to the Bargain Blessings Giveaway Rules and Disclosures. Also, please be aware that it can take up to 3-weeks for gift cards to be sent out.


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The only simple and clean personal blog theme you'll ever need!
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You can practically change any colors and font styles on Penoolis personal blog theme easily. You can made the style changes using our Theme Options and default WordPress theme Customizer.
Penoolis blog theme comes with a simple and responsive layout, the layout will adjust automatically when viewed on desktop and mobile devices.
Theme Features
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- Unlimited colors, you can change the colors, header background, main background and typography from Theme Options
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- Responsive layout
- Pretty neat sidebar panel when viewed on mobile device
- Archives & portfolio page template
- Image attachment page template
- AJAX pagination
- Google Analytics integration
- Latest tweets
- Social media links
- Share buttons in post detail pages
- Upload your own custom logo & header background
- prettyPhoto lightbox on WordPress native gallery
Purchase ConfirmationWe encourage you to spend a minute of your time to confirm your purchase at http://www.themewarrior.com/purchase-confirmation/.
Other Blog Themes from Us
May 20th, 2016 -- Version 1.0.8 - Fix form styling issue June 30th, 2015 -- Version 1.0.7 - Update prettyPhoto - Fix sidebar widget padding November 10th, 2014 -- Version 1.0.6 - Fix theme options css output - Fix toggle sidebar open & close trigger - Fix theme options not loading - Update ReduxFramework to v126.96.36.199 March 27th, 2014 -- Version 1.0.5 - Replace Option Framework with ReduxFramework - Add TGM Plugin Activation to install required plugins - Remove PressTrends - Fix sidebar toggle arrow shortcut issue January 27th, 2014 -- Version 1.0.4 - Update Options Framework to v1.7.2 - Revamp hidden panel, moved it to the left hand side - Change portfolio zoom image, now using 'large' image - Fix "Load More" button being cut-off - Fix other small cosmetic issues - Add options to enable / disable avatar & logo November 8th, 2013 -- Version 1.0.3 - Fix Load More button position issue in responsive view when viewed on Firefox - Reduce padding-top on #main-content for mobile phones - Adjust single-warrior_portfolio.php to match the new version of Warrior Portfolio plugin - Remove unnecessary text in the header October 31nd, 2013 -- Version 1.0.2 - Fix theme customizer not saving - Add several color options to theme customizer - Minor adjustment to style.css October 29nd, 2013 -- Version 1.0.1 - Add portfolio plugin - Add supporting page templates to display portfolio - Add Mixitup jQuery plugin - Fix several minor CSS issue - Fix iPad slow scrolling issue October 22nd, 2013 -- Version 1.0.0 - Theme is released


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No Underarm Bulge Exquisite Lightly Padded Push In Push Up Bra
We strive to ship within one business day after the order is placed. Please make sure to enter the right shipping address as we are not responsible for missing packages due to wrong shipping address you input.
Free ground shipping for orders of $30+. Currently we use USPS as our primary carrier, no matter the cost of the purchase. We also offer expedited 2-day and 1-day shipping for affordable prices.
About our packaging
The poly bags or boxes your items come in are 100% recyclable. The satin wrap tissue is made of recyclable material too. So we hope you can recycle the packaging material and help us stay Eco-friendly!
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|USPS First Class International
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Customer Reviews
Have never found any other bra that compare to these, they lift and support, and are comfortable, superb quality.
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Bought the bra for a party, it fit well. I am also able to wear the bra at work. It is comfy and no slippage.


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De Blasio first posited the basement apartments proposal during the mayoral campaign, and Avella and his supporters were standing against the idea last Friday, before de Blasio released his official Affordable Housing Plan on Monday.
"We're here to make a very strong statement against Mayor de Blasio's proposal to legalize illegal basements," Avella said.
Avella mentioned a number of reasons to oppose legalizing basement apartments, including the issues that would come with having to redo zoning in the city, the safety issues for both residents and firefighters who have to enter the unsafe apartments when there is an emergency, and the fact that the apartments are "substandard housing."
President of the Queens Civic Congress Richard Hellenbrecht echoed Avella's concerns, speaking on behalf of the many neighborhoods his organization represents.
"The primary concern of the hundred civic and block associations, condo and co-op groups and historical societies that Queens Civic Congress represents is neighborhood preservation and stabilization," Hellenbrecht said.
"We have very serious concerns. First, for the safety of residents in basement apartments; and secondly, for the impacts of crowding on quality of life issues in our low density residential areas," he said. "Traffic, parking, schools, water and sewers, sanitation and crime are all impacted by cramming more people into buildings not designed for apartments. We certainly hope that [Mayor de Blasio] drops this proposal as he moves forward and if he doesn't, we will fight it all the way till the end."
De Blasio revealed his Affordable Housing Plan on Monday, May 5. In the plan, he addresses the issue of illegal apartments in a way that seems to suggest that he is still open to looking into all options for bringing these apartments to code.
The section of the plan regarding "informal dwelling units" mentions, as Avella did, the safety of the occupants and first responders. It then reads: "The City will work with the relevant stakeholders to examine how best to bring these units into the regulated housing system, including a review of other cities' best practices to bring fresh ideas to the discussion."
When asked about how he was taking into consideration the outer boroughs that already feel overburdened and overcrowded, de Blasio said that he is aware of the concerns and is trying to "strike a balance."
"The vast majority of us live in the outer boroughs," de Blasio said. "I think I've made clear my perspective in terms of the focus on outer borough neighborhoods. At the same time, those are exactly the places where people, rightfully, are clamoring for more affordable housing because they're so desperately concerned about being priced out of their own neighborhoods. So, we have to strike a balance."
With the announcement of the housing plan, Avella said he expected to see more elected officials and community members from around the boroughs opposing legalized basement apartments if the mayor chooses to pursue that option.
"If he does make it a formal proposal, I think you're going to see a lot of opposition come forward, and then we'll start to reach out to other boroughs," Avella said. "This is just not going to happen."
State Senator Tony Avella stood with community members protesting legalized basement apartments.
First Vice President of the Auburndale Improvement Association Henry Euler spoke out against legalizing basement apartments.


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Printing giant RR Donnelley has long offered its printing customers electronic publishing solutions to compliment its primary service as printer and distributor, and now the first iPad app has hit iTunes. The app was produced for the B2B optical magazine 20/20, published by
Johnson Jobson Medical Information LLC.
The app for 20/20 (iTunes link) is an extension of the flipbooks also produced by RRD. In fact, there is are no differences that I can see. The iPad app does not allow for multi-touch gestures, relying on double tapping the screen to zoom in.
When you open up the free app you are brought to a page containing past issues -- and there are a large number of them available going back to August of last year. At that point you select the issue you want and then are asked if you want to download the issue, or read it "online". Downloading the issue will allow you to read the issue without an Internet connection. But assuming you have WiFi or have the 3G iPad model, you would want to skip downloading since reading the issue online gives you the same experience and loads immediately.
(Strangely, the very last issue can not be read without logging into a 20/20 account -- the only issue that requires this. It also gives you the opportunity to subscribe. Pressing the subscribe button takes you to the issue flipbook in Safari where you have to pay for the issue -- one cent. Yep, one cent.
This is even more bizarre when you realize that apps that list the developer as seller are generally free and don't charge on the backend either. Those that do, like the Time Inc. apps, list Time as the "seller".)
This app, in the end, is well designed for what it is. I encountered no problems downloading or navigating within issues. In other words, it's solid.
Middle: The only interactive elements here are links. Pressing a live link brings in a window where web content will be seen, eventually.
Right: The ad index -- bland but essential to the standard B2B magazine.
Readers of TNM know that I am not a fan of flipbooks -- finding them a very un-web experience online, and equally un-tablet on the iPad. So why do flipbooks even exist? They exist because publishers who will not invest in the web needed a way to bring their magazine online and there are plenty of vendors ready to cheaply serve this need. I know of no examples of publishers making profits on their flipbooks, though I'm sure someone can point out a rare example out there. As they say, the exception proves the rule.
So why bring flipbooks to the iPad? Well, it is the same easy solution for publishers, especially B2B publishers who still are having trouble with the web and are very late to the mobile media game. They will also be cheap (if provided by your flipbook vendor), compared with bringing in a third party developer or building your own capabilities. (If this were the late nineties, we might see a publisher like Primedia building app development teams since it could be rationalized that the move would add value to the company for the eventual sale.)
My guess is that these kinds of replica editions will be a big hit with trade publishers. But ultimately the same issues that arise with flipbooks on the web will apply with flipbooks on tablets: low readership, sales team disinterest, a lack of editorial involvement.
So far, however, the most successful tablet products produced have involved lots of work by their editorial and advertising teams. Publishing is hard work, eliminating the work generally eliminates the results.
Updated: Edited to correct typo in the first paragraph.


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Public Process Announced to
Fill Current Vacancy on Board of Trustees
Following the resignation of Trustee Doug Park on September 10, 2018, the Board of Trustees has announced a public process to fill the vacancy on the Board. The Board of Trustees declares the seat of Trustee Park to be vacant and has set a 4:30 p.m., September 28, 2018 deadline for nominations of candidates for the vacancy. Applications to be considered by the Board are currently being accepted. Review the Trustee Appointment Process Packet for more information, including how to apply.
It is anticipated that the six remaining Trustees will vote to fill the vacancy in a public meeting to be held on Monday, October 8, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board room at the District Services Center located at 8169 W. Victory Road, Boise. Appointment of a new Trustee will be made on October 8, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the District Services Center located at 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise.
For further information, review the Trustee Appointment Process Packet.
Boise School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to all individuals. Learn more...


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Parisian Love
>> Friday, February 19, 2010
I love this video so much I took the idea for posting from my friend's new blog; Media, Arts and Me. This is how most of us start. Love is a powerful thing.
That is beautiful!
That is a cool video. I am ALWAYS reluctant to watch things but this was worth watching. It tells so much about modern relationships.
Thanks for sharing this.
Tom Bailey
It was my favorite commercial at this year's Super Bowl.


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Innovation: Gerngross Boosts Entrepreneurship
It takes successful entrepreneurs to know what entrepreneurs need to succeed.
That's the principle behind Dartmouth's appointment of Thayer Professor Tillman Gerngross and Trip Davis '90 to lead the College's new Office of Entrepreneurship & Technology Transfer. Gerngross will serve as associate provost of entrepreneurship and technology transfer while Davis serves as the office's executive director.
Both Gerngross and Davis are experienced entrepreneurs. Gerngross has cofounded four biotech companies, GlycoFi—which was acquired by pharmaceutical giant Merck for $400 million in 2006—Adimab, Arsanis, and Avitide. Davis, most recently technology entrepreneur and administrator at the University of Virginia, cofounded Green Room, a travel technology company, and TRX Inc., a global leader in travel technology and data services.
Gerngross wants to smooth the way at Dartmouth for innovators to have an impact on the real world. "We should be in the business of catalyzing spin-off innovations and technologies, not taxing them," he says. "To be successful, innovators have to be empowered. It is not about getting in the middle of negotiations, it is about being an enabler and supporter of the process."
Overseeing the Dartmouth Entrepreneurial Network, Dartmouth Regional Technology Center, and Technology Transfer Office, Gerngross and Davis will link experts throughout Dartmouth, Thayer, Tuck School of Business, Geisel School of Medicine, and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. They'll also tap Dartmouth alumni in business to help faculty and students bring their innovations to market. "I want this to be the place where they say 'No one is better than Dartmouth in helping me translate my discoveries into something that has an impact,'" says Gerngross. "The metric to measure success is the number of lives impacted by what we do."
Gerngross brings a sense of personal mission to his new responsibilities. "I feel Dartmouth has allowed me to do things that would have been very hard to do at any other place. This environment has provided me with the freedom to fully explore translational research all the way to having real commercial impact," he says. "I feel there is an opportunity to give something back that allows us to carve out a space that is different from other universities or colleges."
Categories: The Great Hall, Innovationscomments powered by Disqus


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BCG enabled the Department of School Education in the Indian state of Haryana to quickly and sustainably boost its academic quality—for perhaps the first time ever in India—for the millions of students attending its thousands of schools.
For years, India has focused on improving access to schools. Haryana, a state in northern India, has been successful in expanding accessibility to match the national average. In the process, however, academic quality has not been adequately addressed.
Although 99% of the 4.5 million school-eligible children are now enrolled in the state's 15,000 public and 5,000 private schools, this access and attendance hasn't always translated into actual learning. Students were consistently underperforming on national standardized tests, and more than half of the children in class V couldn't read at even the class II level. The state initiated more than 40 pilot projects—run by different organizations—in an attempt to affect systemic change and improve academic outcomes. Yet all of these were too limited in scope and scale to achieve any real impact.
In 2013, BCG was asked to diagnose the problem and help Haryana officials implement a comprehensive and transformative roadmap for change. By early 2014, we had begun designing and implementing Haryana's Quality Improvement Programme (QIP). Our team brought about radically different results because we provided:
BCG's rollout of a structured QIP has quickly delivered significant improvements in academic quality and learning outcomes across all government schools in Haryana. Our comprehensive approach has succeeded for three key reasons:
As a result of BCG's implementation of the QIP, the Haryana school system has already realized several large-scale achievements in a very short period of time:
The Haryana QIP has been so successful, in fact, that it is now being seen as a potential model for education transformation in other Indian states—as well as in other countries—that are struggling to achieve higher learning outcomes at scale.


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American English File Third Edition
CatalogueThird edition
New Edition
Gets you talking
Christina Latham-Koenig, Clive Oxenden, Jerry Lambert, Paul Seligson, Kate Chomacki
Language Level: A1-C1
Loved by teachers worldwide for getting students talking.
Project Explore
Join the journey!
Language Level: Starter to Level 4 (A1-B1)
Discover the new world of Project Explore with colourful characters and exciting stories.
Every lesson is underpinned by the familiar Project methodology and its tried and tested approach to grammar and vocabulary. With Project Explore your students will become confident communicators ready for the world beyond the classroom.
Learn With Us
CatalogueFirst edition
Bring learning together. Bring learning to life.
Vanessa Reilly, Mari Carmen Ocete, Hawys Morgan, Plácideo Bazo, and Marcus Peñate
Language Level: A1-A1+
Bring learning together. Bring learning to life.
American English File
CatalogueSecond edition
Christina Latham-Koenig, Clive Oxenden, Paul Seligson, Mike Boyle
Language Level: From Starter to Level 5 (A1-C1)
Get everyone talking. In class. Everywhere.
English Plus
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The right mix for every lesson
Ben Wetz, Diana Pye, Robert Quinn and Katrina Gormley
Language Level: A1 – B2
The perfect Secondary course for mixed ability classes.
American Family and Friends
CatalogueSecond Edition
Supporting all teachers, developing every child
Naomi Simmons, Tamzin Thompson, Jenny Quintana
Language Level: pre-A1-B2.1
One of the world's most popular American English courses for young learners is now even better!
CatalogueFirst edition
Unlock the rules and patterns of English.
Catherine Walter (Series Adviser)
Language Level: A1-C1
Unlock the rules and patterns of English to enable learners to progress in all four skills.
Got it!
CatalogueSecond Edition
Got it! Second Edition retains the proven methodology and teen appeal of the first edition with 100% new content.
Philippa Bowen and Denis Delaney
Language Level: Lower Secondary
Get it all with Got it! Second Edition!
CatalogueFirst edition
6 Skills to expand your English
Susan Stempleski
Language Level: A1 – B1
A four-level integrated skills course with a supportive 6 skills approach
Family and Friends
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Support and development for the whole child
Naomi Simmons, Tamzin Thompson and Jenny Quintana
Language Level: Beginner to Elementary (Pre A1-B2.1)
Family and Friends offers fast-paced language, strong skills training, a unique phonics programme, civic education and comprehensive testing.
An American English lower secondary course with a gentle pace and real teen appeal
Joan Saslow & Allen Ascher
Language Level: Lower Secondary
Real. Realistic. For your reality.
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Join the journey!
Charlotte Covill, Mary Charrington, Paul Shipton, Nina Lauder, Suzanne Torres, Shona Evans and Sarah Philips
Language Level: Beginner to Intermediate (A1 – B1)
Explorers is a brand new six-level course that brings real-world English into the classroom. Join the journey today!
Speak Now
Four-level speaking course that helps students to communicate with confidence
Jack C Richards & David Bohlke
Language Level: A1-B2
Speak Now is the first conversation course with fully integrated video to help students develop communication skills.
Five-level general English course for adults and young adults
Tom Hutchinson & Kristin Sherman
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Harness the power of social networking to help your students learn English.
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Six-level general English course
Language Level: 6 levels: Beginner to Advanced
Need a course you can always trust?
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A flexible and supportive, topic based course for secondary learners.
Gregory J Manin, Alicia Artusi, Helen Halliwell, Claire Thacker, Robert Quinn, and Lewis Lansford
Engaging a new generation
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An English secondary course for students aged 12-16 years.
Ben Wetz, Diana Pye, Nicholas Tims, and James Styring
Language Level: Starter to Intermediate (A1-B2)
English Plus is a flexible and supportive course that builds confidence through graded practice.
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A four-level American English course for teenage learners
Philippa Bowen and Denis Delaney
Everything you could possibly need. Get it all with Got it!
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Unspoiled Scenery and Pristine Beaches
If you're begging for unspoiled beaches, longing for a glimpse of tropical orchards filled with bananas, coconut, and mango trees, and pining for peace and quiet, then a trip to St. Lucia may be just what you need. In the capital, Castries, you can duty-free shop 'til you drop while exploring the colorful buildings that line the relatively relaxed streets. But the real star of this island is what exists outside of the city—St. Lucia is one of the last truly unspoiled islands in the Caribbean.
Here you'll find a variety of landscapes and eco-systems not found anywhere else in the region, including rain forests, mountains, and beaches. Not to mention volcanoes. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed iconic twin Pitons—that's Gros Piton and Petit Piton—for some of the most scenic views in all of the Caribbean. If hiking isn't your thing, you don't have to miss out on the volcanic scenery, there's a drive-in volcano and Sulphur Springs south of the town of Soufriere.


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Retrieve the viewfinder resolutions for video.
#include <camera/camera_api.h>
camera_error_t camera_get_video_vf_resolutions(camera_handle_t handle, unsigned int numasked, unsigned int *numsupported, camera_res_t *resolutions)
- handle
The handle returned by a call to the camera_open() function.
- numasked
The requested number of resolutions to return in the resolutions array. You can use a value of zero to determine the maximum number of supported viewfinder resolutions on the camera.
- numsupported
The number of resolutions supported for the specified camera.
- resolutions
The pointer to a camera_res_t array. The array is updated with the viewfinder resolutions supported by the camera. Ensure that you create an array with the same or greater number of elements as specified in the numasked argument.
After you use this function to retrieve the resolutions that are supported by the camera, you can configure the viewfinder argument.
When calling this function, ensure that the resolutions argument points to an array which has at least the number of elements allocated as specified in the numasked argument. To determine an appropriate size for this array, you can invoke this function in presizing-mode by setting the numasked argument to 0 or resolutions argument set to NULL. When the function is invoked in this presizing-mode, the maximum array size required is returned in numsupported argument. You can then allocate an array of the appropriate size and invoke the function again with numasked argument set to the value returned previously in the numsupported argument.
CAMERA_EOK when the function successfully completes, otherwise another camera_error_t value that provides the reason that the call failed.


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Preventing attacks
9/3/2013, 9:54 p.m.
Everyone gets frightened of something or someone from time to time, and animals are no exception. Fear is an emotional response to danger and causes our survival instincts to kick into high gear. Even the most loving and docile of pets can lash out when put in a threatening situation, and the results can often be dangerous. In order to prevent an attack, there are a few things you should always look out for when interacting with any animal.
"The most important things to recognize are if the dog is staring at you, its lips are pulled back so teeth are showing, and it has a stiff tail pointing upward," explained Dr. Bonnie Beaver, Professor of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. "They also tend to be rigid and move slowly." If you've noticed this body language and behavior from the animal, it is best to back away slowly and find something or somewhere to separate yourself. If you notice that the animal is becoming aggressive, it is best to freeze and avoid direct eye contact, said Beaver.
Just like if coming across a bear or other dangerous wild animal, you should never scream and run away or make any sudden movements. Wild animals and pets alike may view you as prey when you run, and it is their instinct to chase after you. Always stand your ground and keep your chest facing them, and your eyes averted.
Some general guidelines preventing dog and other animal attacks may seem like basic knowledge, but it is always best for you and the others around you to double check your facts. You should always keep your distance from unfamiliar dogs, despite your urge to pet the unbelievably cute ones. Ask the owner prior to interacting with their pet, as they usually know if the animal handles strangers well. You should also let the dog sniff you or your hand before petting them. It's best to let them approach you first.
Avoid dogs that are sleeping or eating, as you may startle them and cause them to respond negatively. Hugging an unfamiliar dog is also ill-advised. In dog world, hugging is a dominant expression. Although you relish hugging your own dog, it undoubtedly enjoys it less than you do. While your own pet may tolerate your innocent hugs, in an unfamiliar or shy dog, they may warrant an unwanted reaction.
Dogs, like people, are complex products of genetics, upbringing, training, and experiences. While some breeds may demonstrate traits such as shyness or extroversion more frequently, generalizations are tricky. You can never fully judge an unknown animal by its furry cover and it is always best to be cautious.
What if the shy, aggressive dog in question belongs to you? Remember that dogs, like children, have inborn personalities that can be influenced to a certain extent, but not changed. Dogs are masters at interpreting our facial expressions, body language, and vocal inflections. Your dog may sense your uncertainty and discomfort and become anxious. If your pet is displaying aggression, fear, or any other troublesome tendencies, consult your veterinarian. "Veterinarians can often help these animals," Beaver said, "or can refer to or consult with a board certified veterinary behaviorist or an appropriate trainer in the community."
Though you think it may never happen to you, attacks are more common than many would guess. It is always important to keep in mind when interacting with any unfamiliar pets that though dogs may be man's best friend, the wolf is still their second cousin.


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Bringing alive your coastal dream
COOL heads prevail when it comes to negotiating your dream coastal home, according to Realtair managing director Peter Matthews.
The real estate guru says it can be challenging to remove the emotion when you fall in love with a property and the lifestyle it offers.
"Property is generally not a short-term investment and history has proven that any 'overpayment' is mitigated by time," Mr Matthews says.
"The risk to pay too much is also mitigated by the rest of the market so it is unlikely any outrageous premium would be paid.
"In saying that, properties that create such emotion in one buyer will probably create the same in another, meaning any premium paid today would be realised in the sale in the future."
His advice is especially true when considering buying homes close to the water.
"The real estate cliche, 'location, location, location' is ever present when water is concerned," Mr Matthews says.
"To walk to, or better even be able to see [water] adds value.
"From the harbour and ocean to the river or canal, water adds value."
Best is the home is close to water and amenities.
"The hot spots are areas that provide lifestyle to add further value to the water," Mr Matthews says.
"People look for cafes, restaurants, boutique shops as well as a sense of community.
"Transport also plays a role here, particularly ferries."
With nearly 50,000 kilometres of coastline, Australia is blessed with places to build and-or buy your coastal abode.
But weigh up the cons with the pros.
"Consider the area and its growth plans along with understanding the propensity for flooding and the insurance options available to compensate that," Mr Matthews says.
If you're thinking of building your dream coastal home, consider any hidden costs such as for footings and foundations.
With climate change, many coastal areas are changing; think about building with the right materials that can withstand the elements, such as strong winds and even rising sea levels.
Many residents in Sydney's Northern Beaches saw their waterfront properties virtually washed away in 2016 with extraordinary king tides whipped up by storms. Furthermore, coastal properties may need more maintenance, as salty winds can erode building materials and lead to rust.
But it can be worth the caution once you've moved in; watch the ebb and flow of water and consider long, languid summers by cool beaches.
The only thing you'll ever need is more water to top up the whiskey, or turn into ice cubes for the gin.


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Recently I acquired one object that seems to me to be a rather remarkable piece indeed. It is a moulded Staffordshire jug, c.1840 glazed in a fetching sky blue. On it we see a man, decked out in Roman dress, effectively surrounded by a series of leopards, lions and…is that a sheep?
"Who put the dude in the toga in charge?"
Everything might make a lot more sense if I tell you that the man shown here is the American animal trainer Isaac A. Van Amburgh and that this jug is a sort of Victorian souvenir - a memento of one of his shows.
Van Amburgh was the first trainer to introduce big cat shows into circuses and, as some may see it, the Root of the Problem with many travelling shows today. When he came to the UK in 1838 Queen Victoria herself was a huge fan, as was the Duke of Wellington. And who could blame them? Here was a man who stuck his head in lions' mouths and commanded the beasts to lick his boots - which they did. He even did a snappy little number where he actually made a lion lie down with a lamb, as per the Bible (which he cited often to justify his - Man's - role as Master of the Beasts.)
"I'm VERY FIERCE for a sheep, you know."
From all this one would suppose that Van Amburgh loved and respected his critters - but that was, sadly, far from the case. He used loathsome techniques to gain mastery over his big cats (which I really do not wish to reiterate here) and it was scared and broken animals that helped him gain his great acclaim. Even the Victorians thought his practices were unusually cruel for the time. Somewhat oddly - and mostly infuriatingly - Van Amburgh met his death not by his jungle beasties but by heart attack in his bed at the age of 54. Sorry, lions.
"Hey, you - down in front!"
He lived long enough, however, to hear his name immortalized in a song entitled "The Menagerie," written by Dr. W. J. Wetmore, M.D., the first verse of which runs as follows:
"Van Amburgh is the man, who goes to all the shows
He goes into the lion's cage, and tells you all he knows;
He sticks his head in the lion's mouth, and keeps it there a-while,
And when he pulls it out again, he greets you with a smile."
A scene reminiscent of the Tarot's Strength trump
PS --> I was also very, very pleased to discover that the V&A has my exact jug in its collection. Sure, their handle-lion still has his tail attached, but who's counting? There's more information on the piece there, too - click on over and have a look!


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Last week I attended the official IT Service Management (ITILv3) Foundations training.
The training is a 3 day boot camp, which covers the processes in the following ITIL areas
- Service Strategy
- Service Design
- Service Transition
- Service Operation
It is an excellent tutorial for everyone who wishes to advance his career into IT management. The topics touch both IT as well as business aspects of IT services.
The list price of the course is large (more then 2000 USD), but the IFC (division of World Bank) is subsidising of co-financing the courses. So look for these subsidised courses, which include the official certification exam.
Anyone wanting more info, PM me or post to this forum


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Job Searches at the AHA Annual Meeting
Search committees conducted interviews for over 154 positions at the 2013 AHA annual meeting, almost matching last year's total of 160. The number of searches slipped a bit, which is typical in smaller meeting cities.
For the first time in recent memory, jobs with a European specialization outnumbered those for United States history—25 and 24 percent, respectively, of the total number of searches. The next highest was Asia, followed by Latin America, and then thematic listings, which did not require a specific geographical area. Most of these were for public and digital historians. The smallest percentages of searches asked for African, Middle East, or world history specializations.
Most search committees chose to reserve their own private hotel suite, which provided sleeping quarters for a committee member and a separate room for interviewing. Free Job Center tables were used by only 41 searches, while 30 committees rented parlor rooms from the AHA for a limited amount of time. It seems that the committees appreciated the flexibility offered by privately arranged suites, and were willing to pay for it.
In addition, using suites gave committees the ability to use Skype or in-room Internet connections. While committees primarily conducted in-person interviews, a few reported using Skype when travel difficulties or other concerns arose for candidates or interviewers. The Job Center ballroom had free Wi-Fi this year (a very rare occurrence), so even those doing table interviews could use the Internet or, in one case, stay late to do a quickly arranged Skype session.
The cost difference between face-to-face interviews at the annual meeting and Skype or telephone interviews is already creating tension between many search committees and administrations. We asked candidates for their thoughts about both methods of communication in our annual survey, and early results show that even if the meeting costs more, in-person interviews are still valued by a large majority of candidates. Visit the AHA Today blog at blog.historians.org for further survey responses about the experiences of candidates and interviewers.
Liz Townsend is the AHA's coordinator, Job Center and professional data.
Tags: Annual Meeting 2013 Annual Meeting Employment & Careers
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The Volvo V70, launched in 2007, is the third model in Volvo's successful V70 concept. The model strengthens Volvo's position in the premium estate segment. An expressive design - with a characteristic Scandinavian touch - has been combined with a highly flexible and versatile interior with excellent loading possibilities. In addition, a sporty appearance, as well as sporty driving characteristics completes the model - and the model's overall exclusive impression.
Business project manager: Tomas Ahlborg
New features, Volvo V70, model year 2009 (autumn 2008) - brief summary
- Volvo Ocean Race Edition
- Alcoguard
- Powershift
- R-DESIGN chassis
- USB port
- HD radio (USA)
- DAB-radio
- RTI system
- Digital TV
Please note that some systems and functions are optional.
Five-door estate car.
The Volvo V70 has somewhat of a "dual personality", meaning a harmonious balance between spacious, versatile loading functions and sporty characteristics. In addition, the car has been given a higher level of luxury, to reinforce its premium qualities. The "soft nose" front, including an egg-crate grille with chromed vertical bars, creates a sporty yet luxurious "face". The tailgate's upper section has a sportier forward-leaning stance. The tailgate overlaps the tail lamps, providing an even wider opening. The glass goes further down at the sides, enhancing rear view. The loading space is increased by 55 litres (compared with the previous V70 model). The interior, with a Scandinavian touch, is a perfect combination of design and function.
Exterior colours:
* Metallic Silver (426)
* Electric Silver Metallic (477)
* Seashell Metallic (484)
* Oyster Grey Pearl (472)
* Titanium Grey Pearl (455)
* Ice White (614)
* Glacier Blue Metallic (485)
* Willow Green Metallic (471)
* Passion Red Solid (612)
* Ruby Red Metallic (454)
* Barents Blue Metallic (466)
* Magic Blue Metallic (467)
* Solid Black (019)
* Black Sapphire Metallic (452)
* Savile Grey Pearl (492)
* Caper Green Pearl (493)
The V70 R-DESIGN concept includes a number of design details and solutions that enhances the model's sporty and personal impression. The door mirrors, the décor round the fog lights and the grille have a Silk Metal finish, enhancing the sporty profile even further. The grille has an "R-DESIGN" emblem. The double chromed-plated tailpipes (some engines alternatives have one tailpipe), in combination with the rear bumper's black insert, is another example of a sporty R-DESIGN detail. The mouldings round the windows are in anodised black aluminium. In addition, an 18" aluminium wheel, Cratus, is included in the R-DESIGN concept, and so is a colour coordinated tailgate spoiler. Volvo V70 R-DESIGN is available in eleven colours.
The R-DESIGN profile is evident on the inside as well. A number of details are in Silk Metal. The upholstery is in a contrasting, sporty mix of Off-Black and Ceramic Light. The front seats have a unique combination of perforated and grooved leather. The front seats have been supplemented with an extra amount of foam, providing extra support for sportier driving - and - enhances the sporty impression. The rear seat and cushions are reinforced increasing comfort even more. The "R-DESIGN" logo is embossed on the front seats and in the rear seats as well.
Additional R-DESIGN interior details:
Volvo V70 Ocean Race Edition is a unique design concept that links the V70 model with the sea and sailing, and not least, the demanding Volvo Ocean Race sailing competition. Volvo V70 Ocean Race Edition is available in two different colours, Ocean Blue Metallic and Electric Silver Metallic. Both colours are combined with a 17" aluminium wheel, "Pontos". This wheel is available in two different versions. The Diamond Cut/Silver Stone version is combined with Ocean Blue Metallic, while the other version, Diamond Cut/Light Grey, is combined with Electric Silver Metallic. Volvo Ocean Race Edition feature a number of other exterior design details as well. There are shiny chrome mouldings round the fog lamps and side windows. In addition, rails in silver and a characteristic "VOLVO OCEAN RACE" emblem are included in the concept. The "egg-crate" grate grille is unique for this V70 version.
Inside the car, the marine tone is enhanced by a characteristic leather upholstery with "cross-stitching", a stitching technique used when making sails. This upholstery is available in two colours - Off-Black or Soft Leather. The pockets on each one of the front seats' backrests are in textile and leather (in Off-Black or Soft Beige). A number of interior décor panels inside the car are in Brushed Aluminium. The textile mats on the floor and cargo area protect these areas from dirt. The mats' details in Brushed Aluminium reminds of the sheet that is used to determine a sail's characteristics. The mats are available in Off-Black or Mocca. The marine theme is obvious in the cargo area as well. The cargo area cover has the same of cross-stitching as the upholstery, and "VOLVO OCEAN RACE" is stamped on the cover's upper side. The "VOLVO OCEAN RACE" logo is stamped here as well. The cargo cover is pulled out using a short piece of rope - a detail closely connected with almost any situation at sea.
The rear seat integrated child seats are adjustable in two steps. The top-class comfort level is characterised by increased passenger space - distance from front to rear passengers is increased by 21 millimetres, rear legroom by 48 millimetres and knee clearance by 21 millimetres. Width at shoulder height - in the front seats - is 30 millimetres wider than before. The ventilated front seats with perforated leather (option) are equipped with fans, lowering the seat cushion temperature. This contributes to an even greater seating comfort - especially on hot summer days.
As of model year 2009, new front head restraints will be introduced due to legal demands. The new front head restraints have reduced width and 25 mm increased height. Buttons with the "Auto Closing" function now have side ridges in order to prevent window/sunroof buttons from being activated by mistake (e.g., by a child or a dog) - something that can easily happen.
A new modernised claret walnut wood inlay will be introduced as an option. The new inlay will give the interior a more elegant and dynamic design. A total of nine different surfaces will be offered.
The Volvo V70 offers a number of loading solutions. The rear seat is split into three parts - 40/20/40, providing two very comfortable rear seats with a convenient armrest in between. The luggage compartment has aluminium rails and movable anchorage points. The anchorage points can be tucked down into the rails when not in use. The built-in anchorage eyelets in the side panels keep luggage securely in place. In addition, the side panels can be equipped with multifunctional rails, making it possible to attach hooks, load-anchoring nets and cargo space dividers among other loading accessories. The power-operated tailgate (option) can be opened with a push on the remote control. This facilitates loading when the owner has his or her hands full.
The Volvo V70 comes with a number of safety solutions - aimed to help avoiding accidents as well as reducing the consequences of a collision. The height-adjustable integrated child booster cushion provides children of different sizes with a good view through the windows, while at the same time contributing to a high level of protection. The booster cushion, providing optimum seat belt geometry, is even more effective in combination with the specially adjusted force limiters.
The Inflatable Curtain has been extended by 60 mm. In combination with the booster cushion and a strong body side, it helps increasing the side impact protection - for children of different sizes. In addition, the side structure has been combined with two-chamber side impact airbags. The Volvo V70 features Volvo's patented front structure as well. The structure is divided into zones with different steel grades. All engines are mounted transversely, including the six-cylinders, and help reducing the risk of penetration into the passenger compartment.
Volvo's Whiplash Protection System provides a gentle damping motion and contact between the head and head restraint throughout the impact sequence. The front has energy-absorption properties, including a soft structure (in front of the bumper) that helps reducing the risk of leg injuries to pedestrians.
The reinforced, lower spoiler edge is moved forward and almost on level with the bumper. This solution helps distributing the contact area of a pedestrian's or a cyclist's leg, helping to further reduce the risk of injury. The raised bonnet's underside has a honeycomb structure which helps absorbing the energy and reducing the risk of injury.
Collision Warning with brake support and emergency brake lamps helps avoiding rear-end impacts or minimise the consequences of a collision.
Adaptive Cruise Control helps keeping a safe distance to vehicles ahead.
The model has a number of advanced and interacting braking functions, such as Hydraulic Brake Assist, Optimized Hydraulic Brakes and Fading Brake Support. Volvo's Personal Car Communicator, an advanced pocket-sized control centre for increased personal security, is available for the Volvo V70. The Personal Car Communicator provides information about the car's lock and alarm status if the owner is up to 100 metres away from the car. It's even possible to detect if there's someone in the car.
Laminated glass all around, including the tailgate and rear side windows, is an option. The storage system under the luggage compartment floor has a loading capacity of 46 litres (without a spare wheel). The storage space locks automatically when closing and locking the tailgate.
The Volvo V70 can be equipped with the HomeLink function. The function makes it possible to operate up to three remote controlled home devices (e.g., garage door, home alarm system, etc.) via a module integrated into the sun visor. HomeLink contributes to easy and safe access to your home.
Volvo V70 is available with an advanced function that helps reducing the risk of alcohol-related traffic accidents. This function, Alcoguard, is an immobiliser that helps the driver to make a decision whether to drive or not while influenced by alcohol. However, it is ultimately the driver's responsibility to make "sober" decisions in relation to the Alcoguard function's recommendations.
Driveline and chassis
The Volvo V70 is either front-wheel driven or equipped with AWD - All Wheel Drive. And - for the first time ever - the V70 model is offered with two six-cylinder engines - a powerful turbo engine and a highly comfortable, normally aspirated engine. As in all modern Volvo cars, the in-line six-cylinder units are mounted transversely. These engines are extremely compact and perfectly integrated with the front structure. The 3,0 litre turbo engine (T6) features a turbocharger technique, taking in exhaust gases in two stages. This enables a more compact turbocharger that provides extremely swift response, fully comparable with a twin-turbocharger solution.
The model will also be available with a 2.5 l five-cylinder, light-pressure turbo engine. The turbocharger is integrated into the manifold, contributing to the engine's compact format. The turbocharger withstands high exhaust temperatures and contributes to an efficient combustion and low exhaust emissions. This engine has been further developed and is now available in a Flexifuel model, delivering the same performance. It is compatible with both manual and automatic gearboxes. The Flexifuel engine meets the European emission standard Euro 4.
The five-cylinder turbo diesel provides smooth and powerful driving. This powerful and modern diesel engine features a service-free particle filter, making it a highly eco-efficient engine. The diesel engine is available in two versions.
The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Flexifuel engine (2.0F) runs on bioethanol or petrol. This is a renewable fuel, lowering fossil carbon dioxide up to 80 %. Petrol and bioethanol can be mixed in the fuel tank.
The engine programme for the Volvo V70 is as follows:
Power, bhp
Torque, Nm
Power, bhp
Torque, Nm
*All diesel engines have a turbo function.
Power, bhp
Torque, Nm
The five- and six-cylinder engines can be combined with Geartronic - an automatic six-speed gearbox with a manual gear changing function. In combination with the T6 engine, the Geartronic gearbox has a Sport mode, providing slightly faster gear change.
In addition, a new type of six-speed automatic gearbox, Powershift, is available for the Volvo V70 2.0 F (ethanol engine). Powershift reduces fuel consumption by 8% (in comparison with other automatic gearboxes) and contributes to improved drivability.
The chassis has been further developed, in comparison with the previous V70 model. In addition, the Volvo V70 can be equipped with Volvo's advanced chassis system - Active chassis with Four-C.
The Volvo V70 R-DESIGN model has a lowered (20 mm at front and 15 mm in the rear) sport chassis, ideal for sportier driving.
The T6 model is equipped with AWD - All Wheel Drive, distributing power between the rear and front wheels. The speed-dependent power steering (option) can be completed with a three-step adjustment function, making it possible to adjust the servo assistance and optimize road feedback. The Power Parking Brake is applied automatically, simplifying starting on uphill gradients for example. The DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) system helps reducing the risk of skidding.
The Volvo V70 can be equipped with Self Supporting Tyres. A Self Supporting Tyre is constructed with stiffer sidewalls in order to carry the intended weight even if a puncture occurs. It is possible to drive at a maximum of 80 km/h for 80 km (fully loaded car) with Self Supporting Tyres. Driveability with a punctured tyre is almost equivalent to an optimally inflated tyre.
The Volvo V70 can be equipped with the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System - a control system that warns of low pressure in the tyres. The system has a pressure sensor integrated into the inflation valve in each wheel. The sensors are activated by an accelerometer at speeds over approximately 40 km/h.
Two new aluminium wheels are available: Atla 16" and Cassini 17".
Audio and information
Volvo V70 with the High Performance or Premium Sound systems have been supplemented with an USB port, making it easy to attach an iPod®, or other MP3 players or even a digital camera to the audio system. One the USA market, the High Performance and Premium Sound levels have an HD (digital) radio function as standard. With the HD radio function, the driver and passengers can listen to analogue FM radio channels, although with digital quality. In some European countries the Premium Sound and High Performance audio systems can be supplemented with DAB-radio (Digital Audio Broadcast). This function makes it possible listening to radio broadcasts with CD quality.
The Rear Seat Entertainment System (RSE) have been updated with new and enhanced screens, The screens (that are located on the rear side of each front seat head restraints) have been further developed and provide improved better viewing in daylight conditions. The screens' size has been increased to 8".
The RTI function in the Volvo V70 models is now able to register speed cameras, and has been upgraded on some other areas as well.
Volvo V70 can now be equipped with an additional high-tech function - digital TV, making it possible to watch land-based digital TV in the car. The system also makes it possible to watch pay-per-view television broadcasts, among other things.
Environment and air quality
The Volvo V70 is built and produced with the ambition of minimising the environmental impact. The efficient engines - diesels, petrols and Flexifuel - contribute to reduce the emission levels.
Volvo's Interior Air Quality System reduces particles, pollen, gases and unpleasant odours in the passenger compartment. In addition, all textiles and leather are certified under ÖKO-TEX 100. This is an international standard, which ensures that fabrics and hides have been thoroughly tested to check for certain allergy-inducing substances and emissions.
The Clean Zone Interior Package provides an improved in-car climate. The system ventilates the passenger compartment automatically (in temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius).
A convenient menu system makes it possible for the driver to adjust different systems - such as climate and rear-view mirrors. This system helps increasing the driver's focus on the road and contributes to a high level of comfort.
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merger, in corporate business, fusion of two or more corporations by the transfer of all property to a single corporation. The remaining corporation continues in existence, having absorbed the other(s). Mergers may be of various types: A vertical merger integrates different types of businesses that may share a supplier-customer relationship; a horizontal merger brings together related businesses; an extensional merger. joins two similar businesses to enter a new market; and a hostile takeover occurs when a stronger business absorbs another against its will. The methods of effecting mergers vary. Often the corporation that continues to function makes an outright purchase of the property and stock of the others; exchange of bonds, options, and other agreements are also employed by the corporations involved.
Mergers may be effected to increase profits and reduce losses through the reduction of competition, to diversify production, to protect against the liabilities of concentration in a single area, or to revive or rejuvenate failing businesses by the infusion of new management and personnel. Mergers for monopolistic purposes were among the unfair practices that the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) and, more especially, the Clayton Antitrust Act (1914) attempted to correct. The international nature of many modern corporations now also subjects mergers to antitrust scrutiny overseas, particularly in the European Union.
The end of the 20th cent. witnessed a great increase in mergers; in the United States alone, 60,375 mergers involving a total of over $4.5 trillion occurred between 1980 and 1996. Among the largest recent U.S. mergers are those between America Online and Time Warner (2000; $165 billion, but worth significantly less after the bubble in Internet-related stocks collapsed), Exxon and Mobil (1999; $81 billion); Citicorp and Travelers Corp. (1998; $72.6 billion), AT&T and Bell South (2006; $67 billion), SBC Communications and Ameritech (1998; $60.1 billion), and AT&T and TCI (1999; $48 billion).
See also conglomerate.


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See more from the Pali Trieste collection.
Please Note: Image shown is shown in Sienna
A swatch of the White has been included in the image for you to see.
Pali Trieste / La Spezia Toddler Rail
Pali's Trieste Collection was designed with your baby's safety in mind. Each piece is crafted with superior safety features, as well as, a gorgeous contemporary design. This baby furniture collection includes the Trieste Convertible Forever Crib, 5 Drawer Dresser, Armoire, Double Dresser, Hutch and Nightstand. All of these nursery furnishings will remain gorgeous, useful and safe for years and will look as stunning in your teen's room as they do in the nursery today. The crib converts to bigger beds and the rest of the nursery furnishings will remain handy storage units always.
In order to convert your Pali Trieste/La Spezia crib into toddler bed, you will need the addition of the Trieste Toddler Guard Rail. With the addition of this rail, simply drop your mattress to the lowest setting and your tot can sleep safely.
NOTE: This is a special order item. Please allow 6-8 weeks for shipping. For any further information, please contact us at 877-88-BAMBI.
View More Pali Nursery Sets
View More Pali Cribs
View More Pali Conversion Kits
Additional Info
|Product Dimensions
|52" x 1" x 15"
|Manufactured In


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I cancelled my WoW account (don't panic… keep reading).
Real Life has heated up, and on Mother's day, I made the decision to cancel my account and focus more on the variety of RL things until I can afford space for the game.
It's funny because this reminds me of a post spurred by Larisa a long time ago… My Last 5 hours of Wow – The Gnomeaggedon Cometh.
Things are a bit different in this scenario, Blizzard isn't shutting down servers, no one else is in a 5 hour gore fest of last chance playing, no I am canceling my subscription and everyone else will log on tomorrow, and it is unlikely that anyone will even notice my absence, well only a few will anyway.
So what to do with those last 5 hours?
- Naxx one more time?
- Battleground frustration?
- Visit Wintergrasp for the 2nd and last time?
- Organize a raid on Orgrammir to complete the For The Alliance achievement?
- One last run through as many of the old works instances as possible?
I think I will settle for Naxx (or a couple of the other 10 man raids), one last night with my RL friends taking pleasure in the thrill of the boss kill and the despair of the wipe. Once more with my "guild" of RL friends, friends that without WoW, due to physical distance, will become more distant.
Future gatherings will find them clustered talking about their latest gear, their achievements, the Ulduar kills, or maybe even the new expansion.
I will be an outsider then, having more in common with my wife's friends than my own for once.
And what of you my readers?
Many of you are blog authors yourselves, so I will continue to get an insight into your lives and WoW adventures, for as long as they are comprehensible and I can maintain some point of reference.
However I know I will loose the rest of you, at least until the time, if & when, I return to WoW and blogging.
I will miss you all more than you an imagine. I have grown to love the WoW blogging community and the ever expanding Mage community in particular.
I play WoW one night a week, I blog at least 5 days a week… At this point I probably have more invested in the blog than WoW itself. Wow is just my muse.
If you haven't already, subscribe to my feed… That way, when this Gnome crawls back out of Gnomeregan, ready to speak out, you will be the 1st to know.
Until then…
Gnome and Out!
Ho Ho.. what's this, there is more after the Gnome's tagline…
Yep, I have canceled my account and it is still canceled, it will expire this Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 11:25 PM (Melbourne, Australia time).
But.. but.. but…
It is 99% likely that I will be resubscribing during the week, with plenty of time to log on again next Friday night.
Not only will I be resubscribing, but most likely I will purchase a 6 month subscription rather than the month-by-month subscription I have had.
I know I have concerned a quite a few of you… but then I know I that some were never convinced I would go…
So this post was made some 2 weeks ago, when I was confident that I would be laying down tools… and I have decided that rather than leave another post in my drafts folder for ever, I would just put it out there… it was quite cathartic writing this post, as was the earlier Account Canceled post, where I asked for your reasons (if any) for canceling (if ever) and how you felt about it.
I was very touched by either your outright expressions of concern, or by your subtle, disbelieving pokes in the hope I was just fooling about (It was actually a genuine question on my part… I went through a bit of a roller coaster of emotion about canceling, and just wondered how others felt)
The Real Life stuff hasn't gone away and I will be more focused than ever on it… probably to the detriment of this blog for the next 6 months or so, but it will all have a happy ending, and I intend to enjoy the ride
So, just for one post, a new tagline…
Gnomer and Back!
PS: If you want to contribute to the "BuyGnomeARLHome" fund, then feel free to send my silly amounts of cash!
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.


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First Look: Hyundai Concept Genesis
New Beginnings: Hyundai gives birth to its first sport-luxury sedan; Japan gets the labor pains
This car is going to shock you. It's going to shock GM and Toyota, too. Even BMW and Mercedes-Benz are going to pay attention. Hyundai calls it Concept Genesis, but you can forget the concept bit; apart from the odd piece of showcar eye-candy, you're looking at Korea's first production sport-luxury sedan. It has rear drive and a V-8 engine. And it'll be in a Hyundai showroom near you sometime in 2008.
Concept Genesis gives us the first glimpse of Hyundai's much-anticipated BH rear-drive architecture. For a company with a reputation for fast-tracking new models at a pace that makes even the Japanese dizzy, the BH has been a long time coming-more than five years, in fact. But that doesn't mean Hyundai has been slacking; Concept Genesis is on its second exterior (the previous design was scrapped, after the hugely expensive tooling process had been started) and third chassis setup (the rear axle was upgraded from a four-link configuration to five-link only last year). And when the production version launches next year, Hyundai will be a player in a sector that Toyota took 15 years longer to enter.
Chutzpah? Or confidence? Both swirl through a company driven by a fierce determination to succeed and, in particular, to beat the Japanese. Hyundai wants to be the world's fifth largest automaker by 2010, and the BH architecture revealed by Concept Genesis is a key part of the strategy.
As a sport-luxury sedan, Concept Genesis breaks no new ground. Indeed, one look at the exterior suggests Hyundai's strategy is simply to follow the same BMW playbook already well thumbed by Nissan's Infiniti division. The glasshouse looks pure G35, while the rear end is a tasteful mlange of 3 Series and 7 Series cues. What you don't immediately read, thanks in part to the 20-inch alloy wheels, is the car's size: It's longer, wider, and taller than a BMW 5 Series and Lexus GS, with a wheelbase almost as long a Chrysler 300C's. Hyundai sources say the rear seat package is nearly as good as that of an S-Class Mercedes.
The BMW/Infiniti styling cues signal a similar approach to the engineering, though here Hyundai isn't content to merely play follow the leader: Insiders claim the car's body-in-white, rich in ultra-high-tensile steel, isn't only lighter than that of a 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Lexus LS, but also has 12- to 14-percent-higher dynamic torsional rigidity. Weight distribution is 53/47 percent, front to rear; however, not quite the 50/50 ideal BMW religiously adheres to.
The Concept Genesis's five-link independent rear suspension is mounted to the body via a sturdy subframe. The lower control arm is pressed steel, but all the other links are forgings. The compact coil springs are mounted separate from the shocks, which are located to the body by way of aluminum castings. The front suspension features a short/long-arm setup executed entirely in forged aluminum, with large cast-aluminum top mounts for improved precision and rigidity. Steering is via speed-sensitive rack and pinion, mounted ahead of the front axle centerline.
Under the hood is an all-new, all-aluminum 4.6-liter V-8. Codenamed Tau, it's Hyundai's first in-house V-8 and features state-of-the-moment double-overhead camshafts with variable valve timing and a variable induction system. Hyundai isn't quoting power and torque figures yet, claiming only that the engine produces more than 300 horses and 300 pound-feet of torque (which is only to be expected) and is capable of propelling the car, at a target weight of about 3740 pounds, to 60 mph in under 6.0 seconds. The Tau V-8 drives the rear wheels via ZF's smooth 6HP26 six-seed automatic transmission. Paddle-shift manumatic control will be standard on the production version.
Production versions of Concept Genesis also will be available with a V-6, the 3.8-liter Lambda unit currently used in the Azera, turned through 180 degrees and driving through an Aisin six-speed automatic. Hyundai sources say power will be upped from the 265 horses the engine currently produces in the Azera to improve performance.
How will the production car differ from Concept Genesis? Very little. The grille design has yet to be finalized, and of course there'll be real headlights filling those blacked-out shapes on either side of it. The front and rear bumper fascias will change, too: The dual exhausts will exit from under the rear bumper rather than through it, for example. Standard wheels will be 18-inch alloys running 235/50R18 tires, but 19s and possibly even 20s will be available.
The production interior will be upscale, offering the tasteful, well-finished blends of leather, aluminum accents, and wood that we've already started to see in recent Hyundais. Standard equipment will be lavish, as well, with stability control and eight airbags included, along with sat-nav, satellite radio, and heated and cooled front seats.
Here's the zinger: Hyundai sources expect the V-6 version to start at under $30,000, or roughly in line with a well-equipped Azera. The V-8? No one's saying, but even if Hyundai charged a $5000 premium for the bigger engine and beefier transmission, we're still looking at a large, fast sport-luxury sedan for about the same money as an entry-level 3 Series or Lexus IS 350.
Only our first test will reveal whether the production version of Concept Genesis delivers the performance, handling, quality, and refinement to match Hyundai's soaring ambition. But it's worth remembering that barely 12 years ago Hyundai was still a cheap car joke, finishing dead last in a J.D. Power quality survey. Now it's aiming at BMW and Lexus. And the shock is, no one's laughing.
|Aiming high, looming large
|Concept Genesis versus the rivals, as defined by Hyundai
|Hyundai Genesis
|Lexus GS
|Infiniti M
|3.8L/265+ hp/260+ lb-ft V-6;4.8L/300+ hp/300+ lb-ft V-8
|3.5L/303-hp/274-lb-ft V-6;4.3L/290-hp/319-lb-ft V-8
|3.5L/275-hp/268-lb-ft V-6;4.5L/325-hp/336-lb-ft V-8
|Wheelbase, in
|Length, in
|Width, in
|Height, in
|BMW 5-Series
|Cadillac CTS(2007)
|Chrysler 300
|3.0L/215-255-hp/185-220-lb-ft I-6;4.8L/360-hp/360-lb-ft V-8
|2.8L/210-hp/194-lb-ft V-6;6.0L/443-hp/414-lb-ft V-8
|3.5L/250-hp/250-lb-ft V-6;5.7L/340-hp/390-lb-ft V-8
|Wheelbase, in
|Length, in
|Width, in
|Height, in
Why GM and Toyota should be worried
Concept Genesis isn't just a car, it's Hyundai's ticket to membership of an exclusive club that includes Toyota and GM, Ford, and Volkswagen. The BH rear-drive vehicle architecture that underpins Concept Genesis means Hyundai is about to become a full-line, global automaker. (Full-size trucks? They're on the agenda, but that's another story. )Hyundai insiders say the BH architecture is highly flexible. Shorten the wheelbase, and it can underpin a range of sporty, high-style rear-drive coupes and convertibles. Lengthen it, and it forms the basis for a full-size rear-drive luxury sedan. The rear-drive bit is important: It gives designers the ability to deliver the stance and proportions consumers associate with premium sport-lux vehicles. And it gives engineers the ability to deliver crisp, sporty handling and powertrains with more than 300 horses.
Hyundai's claim of "over 300 horsepower" for the new 4.6-liter, quad-cam Tau V-8 is modest for an engine of that size and specification, but insiders hint it'll produce considerably more than that. It'll need to: Hyundai powertrains have never been class-leading in terms of their specific output. Significantly, Hyundai engineers are careful to point out the Tau can be built in larger displacements and with forced induction and other technologies to boost power.
So put Tau and BH together, and you figure Hyundai now has the ability to build sport-lux sedans, coupes, convertibles, and even limousines with up to 400 or 500 horsepower. Hyundai's target might be nouveau-lux Japanese brands like Lexus and Infiniti, plus near-lux Europeans like VW and Alfa Romeo, but GM and Toyota could suffer collateral damage along the way.
The issue for Toyota is that Hyundai's BH-based cars could potentially offer consumers a range of Lexus-style vehicles at Toyota prices. The problem for GM is the BH cars could hit a similar value/performance/style-driven market segment that's the sweet spot for the forthcoming Zeta-based Chevy, Pontiac, and Buick rear-drive models. You can bet Toyota and GM product planners will be among the very first customers for Hyundai's new sport-lux sedan next year.