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Ottawa Animation Festival: Part 2
The Ottawa International Animation Festival has something going on all the time. Some of the main screenings and workshops are scheduled every two hours throughout the day: 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3, 5, 7, and 9. Basically, there is maybe 30 minutes in between screenings to get to the next event, or maybe to grab a bite to eat. I emphasize the word MAYBE because more times than not I had no time at all to break for food.
By the time the Shorts Competition 5 ended on Thursday night, I realized that I hadn't eaten since early that morning. That was about 8am. I was getting real cranky and listless. Between the spots before my eyes, I was able to make out the fuzzy shape of a Pizza Pizza fast food establishment across from The ByTowne Cinema. I ate as quickly as I could and then headed back across the street to check out the next screening. (I got real lucky for my first night in Ottawa having practically all my screenings at the same place -- right next door to my hotel, no less! Sweet.)
Feature Competition: Empress Chung
Not worth it. I'm sorry, but this animated feature from Korea held such great promise with me -- I should've known by now that a pretty still frame does not a great movie make. The image I saw in the Festival guide is the one shown to the left there. Nice character styling and colors, right? Well, this character maybe, but the same cannot be said for the entire film. It started off great, with a nice intro, complete with warriors and a heart-wrenching sequence of a family in peril, but then the film went downhill from there. When odd sidekicks were introduced, like a turtle and a goose, I lost interest. Then the underwater sequence -- WHAT??? It got very fantastical and cutesy on us, completely ignoring the seriousness of the opening. Too bad. It could've been a good story.
I got to see this with Roque and his wife. Roque fell asleep. My thoughts exactly.
Afterwards, I had planned on going to the Gianluigi Toccafondo Retrospective, but decided to stay and watch the next Short Competition, which was starting up at the ByTowne. I swear, what a convenience this place was for me. Outside, while waiting for the screening to start, I ran into New York animators Pat Smith and Signe Baumane. Pat and Signe are part of the New York indie animation scene, an active and lively bunch of filmmakers who crank out short films on a continual basis. They rounded up several of these animators and artists together and produced a DVD compliation that ended up being one of my favorite finds from last year's Festival, Avoid Eye Contact. This year, they came back to Ottawa with a second volume, and you just know that I was excited to get my grubby hands on that one as well. There's some fun and wonderful stuff to be found on each volume, with work from Bill Plympton, George Griffin, John Dilworth, Mo Willems, Fran Krause, Pat, Signe and many others. I highly recommend these DVD's. You can order each volume HERE.
I met Pat last year at the Festival and we kept in touch with each other throughout the year. It was like we were old friends when we saw each other, complete with a we're-comfortable-with-our-sexuality-male-bonding-embrace. After our very special moment, Pat, Signe and I all made our way into the ByTowne for:
Short Competition 2
This was an interesting screening. A good group of shorts and films, with a solid amount of talent featured. Here are some highlights:
Lemony Snicket 'Littlest Elf' directed by Smith & Foulkes for Nexus Productions. What a fun intro to LEMONY SNICKETS: A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS! I had not seen the film, so watching this little bit of stop-motion-esque homage to Rankin/Bass 60's specials was very entertaining. My only qualm was that it was too short. In fact, when Jude Law's voice-over comes in at the end of the animated segment, there were some moans and groans of disappointment. The kicker? This was done entirely in CG, but you would never know it. They got those odd quirky-jerk camera pans and quaint limited motion that was so typical of the Rankin/Bass programs of that time. Very fun. To check out this retro film intro, you can view it in its entirety at Nexus's website. Once you enter the site, go to the Showreel section and then click on "The Littlest Elf." (You'll need Flash 6 plug-in to view the site.)
Ugh. I'm really surprised that the title sequence to The Life and Death of Peter Sellers was even entered into this competition. Ugly character design and horrible animation. I was not amused.
I really liked the next one. Ichthys, directed by Polish filmmaker Marek Skrobecki was a visually engaging stop-motion short film about a lone customer going to a remote restaurant to order a mysterious dish. The only problem is that he has to wait. And wait. And WAIT. Now, I have a problem with short films that go over 10 minutes -- something about that time limit starts to wear on my attention span, I guess. But I had no problem with this 16 minute film. There's some great puppet animation done on the waiter and the customer, and the sets are amazingly detailed. The film looks beautiful. Also, the editing and pacing of the film builds up to a very cool ending that can be looked on as a metaphor. There's some info about the film at Se-ma-for's website (the production company), but I could not see the short video clip that they had available to view. I don't know if it was my computer or the browser I was using, or what. Hopefully they'll work that out. It's worth checking out. Ichthys won the catagory for Independent Short Film: Narrative Short Work at Ottawa. Not too shabby.
The Ikea spot directed by Reuben Sutherland was very funny. Done in a style that is typical of how-to/assembly illustrations found when putting together your favorite Swedish designed living room set -- but in 3D -- the spot features a very hilarious and very gay spokesman, Stig, who prances around in his ideal IKEA world, shooting barbs at the clueless. To see the spot, go to Joyrider's site and then click on Reuben's name. While you're there, check out his video for Phoenix Foundation's single, "Hitchcock." It was also in competition at Ottawa and won in the Music Video Catagory. Very cool stuff Reuben's got there.
On occasion, the stereotypical self-absorbed student film pops up at film festivals and I always have to cringe. Nothing against the students who produce these types of films, but it's just been so overdone. What new thing could possibly be unearthed by a student for me, the viewer, to feel engaged by? Well, plenty, it seems. When you present your inner thoughts and explorations like Angela Steffen, then you've got me intrigued. Angela is a third-year student at Filmakademie Baden-Württerberg, and has a brilliant 5 minute black & white film titled Wie Ich Mich Traf (Meeting Me), that presents herself as a wonderfully stylized little girl who is trying to find out who or what she is. A newborn? A human? A bird? A worm? She animates herself as all these things. And can I just say how much I LOVED the character design in this film? Take note, students. This was a great little film filled with heart, fluid animation, and wonderful design -- a rare thing to see done well these days. Angela doesn't have a site, but there is a page about her film at Filmakademie's site, which you can see here.
Before I talk about Rosto's film, Jona/Tomberry, I'll talk about Drew Carey's Green Screen Show 'Episode 104' first.
I love the concept of this show, the idea that you get actors doing improv in front of green screens so that animation will be composited in later -- it's a fun concept! I had not seen an episode of Drew Carey's Green Screen Show, but I had heard about it. And I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were some sections where there was not much animation going on -- just basically a background that might change every once in awhile and maybe a prop added onto one of the actors' hands, depending on the situation. With these segments, I felt gyped. But the show gathers steam when the animation is full-blown, complete with characters who really interact with the live-action actors. Animation is the perfect medium for this concept because of the improvisational nature -- there could be 20 major story changes within one segment, and with animation, you can do anything. For instance, when two people from the audience try to come up with sound effects for one particular segment, the results are hilarious.
Pat Smith actually worked on an episode, so I asked him about the production of the show, like, how much freedom was given to the animators for their particular segment? He said that the producers gave them free range -- basically the artists and animators were doing "improv" as well. Little or no changes were made. A welcome change from all the usual client or executive nit-picking that comes from any animation produced for television these days. The show has a site and you can check it out HERE, complete with clips for viewing. (I had to use Firefox to be able to see the Quicktime movies -- plus, the clips are on a pop-up window when the site comes up. Just to let you all know, if you're curious enough to see them.)
Okay. This next film presents me with a conundrum. I liked it. A lot. But I have reservations. Jona/Tomberry is quite a visual feast of surrealism and dreamlike imagery. Bizarre and haunting, loud and creative -- every frame of this film has so much going on, it's almost too hard to take it all in. (I guess repeated viewings is the way to do it.) But I actually enjoyed that aspect of it. It never ceases to amaze me when I see creative minds do their thang, full-tilt, with no limitations. And I have to give the director respect for implementing his artistic vision onto the screen. Director Rosto (that's right, like Cher -- only one word, please) apparently is something of a sensation in his homeland of Holland, making a one-word name for himself with videos, short films, and various media outlets. But I will not jump onto the Rosto-groupie bandwagon because I smell something foul.
Again, I will say that I really enjoyed this strangely intoxicating film -- it was an amazing piece of work. HOWEVER, before it was screened that evening, Rosto wanted to say a few words to the audience. At first I was thinking that maybe something was wrong with the print, that the audio got mixed-up, or something, but no -- Rosto stood up to say that it seems like everyone wants to try to understand, or "get" movies and films these days. But with this particular film, he wanted us all to "open up our minds and don't try to 'get it' (pointing to his head) but instead just try to 'get it' (pointing to his gut)." He pauses for effect...
"Just open up and don't be scared."
Now, why in the heck would a filmmaker say that? Why would any artist in their right mind go up and try and explain how to take their work in front of an audience? Rosto's actions made me shake my head in frustration, because he fell into that PRETENTIOUS ARTIST trap. It was really hard to take him seriously after his little speech. In fact, throughout the course of the festival I steered away from him for fear of being sucked into his glorious vortex of pretentiousness. It's too bad, because his work is definitely striking. (Photo of Rosto by Emru Townsend.)
After seeing the film, I still didn't really "get it," but I did enjoy it. Why can't that be enough for Rosto? Why not allow me, the viewer, to take in these visuals and make sense of it in my own manner, the way I'd perceive it? Please don't force me to "get it" your way. Give the viewer some credit -- don't try to hold my hand through the thing. Some filmmakers choose to be simple and obvious in their storytelling, others choose to go the abstract route. Either way, the viewer must be given the freedom to make up their own mind about what they see, whether or not they actually "get it." You know, there were several abstract films screened at the festival, and not one of the filmmakers walked up to the front of the theatre pleading to the audience, hoping that they'd try and "get" their film. I saw Rosto's actions as a sign of weakness, that he wasn't completely confident in his work.
Rosto must've had so many negative reactions to "Jona/Tomberry" or else he wouldn't have gone up in front of both audiences (oh yes, he did the same speech for the second screening of his film at the festival) to touch his gut with feeling.
So what is "Jona/Tomberry?" It's a wild mix of live-action and CG animation with grotesquely altered faces, freaky singing babies, gunplay taunting, and shattered mirrors -- LOTS of shattered mirrors -- if all this sounds like your altered cup of tea, then check out the film's site HERE. Oh yeah, Rosto is in the film, too.
That's the end of my diatribe. Sorry to go off on that, but I just had to do it.
I feel much better now.
After the screening, I scooted on over to the Chez Ani, a nightly hangout at The Arts Court, to have a drink and relax from the long long day. While there, I met up with the aforementioned Tom Neely, Emru Townsend, editor of the great online animation magazine fps magazine, and Amid Amidi of Cartoon Brew. (Pat Smith was there, too, but since he's such the popular guy, he ditched me.) All of us talked about animation and what the industry is up to nowdays. I can't tell you how refreshing it was to talk about animation in such an open environment, outside from the usual suspects that I cavort with in Atlanta. It was pretty interesting to see how much we could possibly talk about the industry, without running out of things to say. Apparently, we all have very strong opinions on what we like and dislike, and Emru will find something to say on just about anything. Just pick some obscure musical reference from the 80's and he'll go on a tear. It's quite a sight to see (or hear, actually). Amid and I met last year at the Festival, and we've emailed each other on a constant basis, so it was like seeing an old friend. We share a lot of similarites in art and design, as well as the love for jazz. He's just finishing up his book on animation design from the 50's, which will see the light of day next Spring. Judging from what he's said about the book, it'll be at the top of my must-haves, that's for sure.
Some pics from the evening:
A blurry Emru Townsend, a clear Tom Neely and me at the Chez Ani.
Emru and I contemplate a serious moment.
Tom, me, and Amid Amidi talk amongst ourselves at Chez Ani. I guess I missed the memo to wear a stylish hat, huh? (Photo by Emru.)
I didn't get back to the hotel until 1am that night. Boy, was I worn out. But it was so exhilarating to be back in Ottawa! It was so hard to go to sleep when my head was racing with all the visuals I had seen from the day. So much to see and experience -- and it was only my first day there! How could the other days compare?
Next up: The Animator's Picnic -- everyone's favorite part of the festival. Plus, more thoughtful insight on various short films and festival gatherings by your host, yours truly. I do this, so you don't have to.
Again, to see my photos from the trip, check out my Ottawa photoset on Flickr.
8 comments:
One question: When you hugged Pat, did you do the hilariously uncomfortable hug? ;)ReplyDelete
Seriously though, great post about the days events. That's a ton of stuff to take in... seems like it would take a while to digest it all, much less digest a week's worth of it. Either way, it sounds like you had a blast. I'M GOING NEXT YEAR!
I am SO envious! Oh, and while the english title may be "Meeting Myself" the direct translation of the german short is "How I met myself"ReplyDelete
You know, you're right about that Rosto guy making that weird disclaimer...to other artists. I can understand, however, why he would do that (or even be necessary) to the "average Joe" audience member. Remember: people like neat little packages, beginning, middle, end. 1,2,3.ReplyDelete
I'm with you: some movies I like BECAUSE I don't get them, or at least not at first. That's one reason why I love "Waking Life."
I don't know how you have kept your head from exploding, dear (so much to take in)... but I'm so happy that you were able to go and experience this.ReplyDelete
Missed the screening that Rosto's film was in, but wanted to see it, speech and all. I should mention though that he totally stole the way that I'm going to introduce my 50s design book to audiences next year. My intro begins, "With this book, I want you to open up our minds and don't try to 'read it' (pointing to my eyes) but instead just try to 'READ it' (pointing to my heart)." That should inspire people.ReplyDelete
Great reviews, man! You didn't pull any punches, and that rules.ReplyDelete
Wow. (pointing to my gut)ReplyDelete
That's pretty hilarious, Amid. (Pointing to my gut.)ReplyDelete


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...among the hills [at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains]..., is the paternal estate of Mr. Madison. Naturally fertile, but much improved by his judicious care, a comparatively small part is kept under cultivation, the greater part being covered with its native forests. A large and commodious mansion, designed more for comfort and hospitality than ornament and display, rises at the foot of a high wooded hill, which, while it affords shelter from the northwest winds, adds much to the picturesque beauty of the scene. The grounds around the house owe their ornaments more to nature than art, as with the exception of a fine garden behind, and a widespread lawn before the house, for miles around the ever varying and undulating surface of the ground is covered with forest trees.¹
Smith was not alone in her sentiment about Montpelier. In the early 19th century countless visitors expressed a great sense of pleasure in the place and in the people who lived there. They quickly understood how deeply James Madison (1751-1836) was rooted in his family estate. His grandparents had settled Montpelier in the early 1730s. In the late 1750s Madison's father began building the house where Madison grew up and to which he returned permanently following his retirement as president in 1817. Madison enjoyed the opportunities and met the responsibilities of education and public service associated with the wealthy Southern gentry to which he belonged. Ultimately, he took part in the most crucial years of our nation's development. His greatest contribution was his service as "Father" of the Constitution.
¹James B. Longacre and James Herring, eds., The National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans (New York: Herman Bancroft, 1836).
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Getting Started: Inquiry Question
Setting the Stage: Historical Context
Locating the Site: Maps
Determining the Facts: Readings
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Either these cosplayers at PAX 2011 in Seattle were relaxing when they agreed to let me take their photo this past weekend, or they were role-playing the more mellow, never-before-seen alternate ending the second-best Zelda on the Nintendo Entertainment System.
For much more PAX cosplay, check out this gallery and this one.
You can contact Stephen Totilo, the author of this post, at firstname.lastname@example.com. You can also find him on Twitter, Facebook, and lurking around our #tips page.


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While most European title races are only now beginning to take shape, championship trophies are already being handed out in certain corners of the continent. Some leagues, after all, operate a spring-to-autumn season, and as winter beckons, fans of certain teams are staving off the cold with the warm glow of success.
There will, for example, be a few Malmo fans waking up with smiles and sore heads this morning. The southern outfit last night sealed the 2013 Allsvenskan title with a game to spare, and became kings of Sweden for the 17th time, with deep-lying forward Magnus Eriksson playing a fundamental role with his creativity and goals. A 2-0 win over reigning champions Elfsborg established an unassailable five-point lead over AIK, their sole remaining challengers, with Guillermo Molins grabbing both goals. "I'm just so happy," said a beaming Molins. "I've enjoyed a scoring streak, a run of important goals. Winning at Elfsborg is never easy, but we've managed to keep our focus."
While Malmo are now just one league championship behind Sweden's record champions, IFK, Finland's dominant domestic power strengthened their position at the top of the all-time chart. HJK Helsinki made it five titles in a row and 26 overall by holding off the challenge of Honka Espoo under new coach Sixten Bosrom. "I am pleased now and I hope [the fans] are pleased as well," said Bostrom, for whom veteran striker Mikael Forssell was a key player throughout. "They wanted us to win the championship before the season started and now they have got it."
It's absolutely fantastic, because this is actually a dream come true for me and it can't get better than this.
There were no surprises in Iceland either, where KR Reykjavik raced to a record-extending 26th league title with two games to spare. English striker Gary Martin was the leading marksman for a team that, while six clear of traditional rivals Valur in the all-time standings, had only won the championship once in the previous nine years.
The Faroe Islands' record champions also came to the fore, with HB Torshavn able to secure their first title in three years – and 22nd overall – with a game to spare earlier this month. "It's absolutely fantastic, because this is actually a dream come true for me and it can't get better than this," said the team's coach, Oddbjorn Joensen. "This year has been exceptionally joyful for us."
An even longer wait was ended in Estonia, where Levadia Tallinn lifted the championship trophy for the first time since 2009. It was just reward for an impressive campaign by Marko Kristal's youthful side, with the club's decision to bank on the products of their youth academy yielding rich dividends. "Our clear commitment to play young guys has brought results," said Kristal. "Our lads have been dreaming about this and they did everything I asked of them during these two years. Now we should set new targets because these young players are ready to progress."
It has been a long time coming, for the club and for us as players, but we are deserved champions.
It is not only in the Nordic region that summer football reigns. Republic of Ireland have also adopted this particular calendar over recent years, and the league has rarely been more open and unpredictable. Dublin outfit Saint Patrick's took the 2013 laurels, making them the seventh different League of Ireland champions in the past decade. Again, they did it in style, crossing the finishing line with two games to spare. "It has been a long time coming, for the club and for us as players, but we are deserved champions," said captain Conor Kenna, referring to the 14-year wait since St Pat's last national crown.
Elsewhere, title races are going down to the wire, with the big winners and losers set to be decided over the coming weeks. In Norway, for example, reigning champions Stromgodset are in pole position to claim their first league championship in 43 years, though Rosenborg lurk just three points behind. The picture seems a little clearer in Belarus, where BATE Borisov are nine points clear of Shakhtyor Soligorsk and seemingly poised for an eighth successive title.
FK Akranas are aiming for a similar streak in Lithuania, but their chances of making six-in-a-row look to be fading. The reigning champions sit fourth, 13 points off the pace set by VMFD Zalgris, who also have a game in hand and are well placed to win their first championship since 1999. In Latvia, meanwhile, the race could well go down to the final day on 9 November, with record champions Skonto Riga trailing FK Ventspils by just two points with a couple of rounds remaining.


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Latest News
Syriza party takes aim at corruption in Greece's news media
Greece's crushing economic crisis, which has upended the country's politics and jeopardized its currency tie with the European Union, has also put another institution on the spot: the news media.
Amid allegations of unethical journalistic practices that may have contributed to the mess the country's in, the outsider political coalition, whose popularity has skyrocketed, says it wants to abolish the cozy relationship that's long existed between media owners and politicians, and to halt the practice of government payments to individual journalists.
On the eve of Sunday's second-round election, the outsider coalition, known as Syriza, or the Radical Left, was reported neck-and-neck with the conservative New Democracy party. Both parties were expected to draw less than the 35 percent of the vote needed to form a government, and the winner is likely to have to search for a coalition partner.
Public support for the upstart Syriza party has surged largely because of its pledge to suspend the EU-imposed economic austerity measures that have led to a dramatic economic contraction here, but in demanding reforms to the rules governing the news media the coalition may have tapped into another source of voter disaffection. A poll earlier this month published by Mono magazine showed that more than 80 percent of the public do not view the Greek news media as objective.
While Greece has some excellent investigative journalists and some mavericks who challenge the system, the absence of a prevailing ethos of independent reporting helped enable the government to overstate Greece's readiness for adopting the euro, and later precluded public awareness that the government was lying about its deficit to the European Union, said George Pleios, head of the department of communications at the National University in Athens.
One reason for the lack of trust may be that a significant number of journalists have two masters – their own news outlet and the organizations or firms they are covering. A Syriza official alleged that thousands of reporters maintain conflicts of interest and that 500 to 600 journalists are or have been on the payroll of a government agency.
Syriza may still be smarting at the treatment it received prior to the first round of elections May 6, when it rose from a fringe party to become the No. 2 finisher. Even the most respected news outlets treated Syriza with disdain during the campaign – in the process missing the dramatic public shift away from the Socialist PASOK and the conservative New Democracy parties that have dominated the scene for more than three decades.
The leading daily Kathimerini, for example, reported Syriza's pre-election rally – practically the only major party event that week that appeared to spark genuine enthusiasm – without noting its size or tone, and it compared firebrand party leader Alexis Tsipras unfavorably to Andreas Papandreou, the discredited leader of PASOK. A day earlier, it gave a noticeably uncritical account of PASOK's sole press conference, from which foreign media had been barred, by recounting the responses of leader Evangelos Venizelos but not the questions he was asked.
"If we had been aware there would be such a surge in their popularity, we would have been on them a lot more, a lot earlier," Nikos Konstandaras, Kathimerini's managing editor, said of Syriza.
Government influence on the media can be subtle. All nine of Greece's nationwide television channels operate year-to-year without paying license fees, said Pleios, who directs an institute that studies the nation's television media.
"They depend on the goodwill of the government," Pleios said. "It is a means to control the television landscape."
The lack of licenses amounts to a government subsidy, but the official largesse doesn't stop there. The Greek state also buys TV advertising and radio as well as print outlets in a non-transparent manner and contracts with other enterprises owned by the same industrial or shipping magnates, Pleios said. He calls it "diaploki," a Greek word meaning intertwining interests.
"The media…win support for political leaders. In exchange they give public works contracts to the mother companies," he said. "It's a kind of high-level corruption between the state and the companies. Formally, it's legal."
Vassilis Mulopoulos, Syriza's head of communications, used the same term to describe cronyism among media, political and business interests. He cited a major industrialist whose media support the government in power and whose construction interests obtain most of the major infrastructure projects.
"There are severe limitations in press freedom," Mulopoulos said. "We understand the role the media plays in society in the Anglo-Saxon world. In Greece the situation is quite the contrary. Here information and opinion are often misrepresented or misused."
Mulopoulos has inside experience. He was editor-in-chief of the newspaper To Vima for five years before becoming a member of parliament from 2009 until last month.
At Kathimerini – which co-publishes the New York Times-owned International Herald Tribune with its own English edition – editors acknowledge the thrust of Mulopoulos' charges.
"The game of influence between politics, business and the media is very much a part of our system here," Konstandaras said. He said a common model for newspapers is: "I press for government contracts and state advertising; in exchange I promote some people and I don't promote others." He said his paper is an exception because owner Aristides Alafuzo, a shipping magnate, has no business interests in Greece.
But Mulopoulos said that when Alafuzos's son, Ionnis, was on trial in the mid-1990s for oil-smuggling, the then leader of New Democracy, Miltiades Everts, testified on his behalf. After a lengthy judicial proceeding, Alafuzos was acquitted.
In its worldwide press freedom rankings, Freedom House, the New York-based non-governmental organization, ranks the Greek media as "free," but in 65th place among nations, in a tie with Israel and at the edge of being "partly free." It cited self-censorship on sensitive ethnic issues, police attacks on journalists and the difficulty of sustaining media in the current economic downturn. It did not address the internal political links, which add to government's enormous influence.
There are other topics the Greek television deals with gingerly, if at all, including shipping accidents, the country's Muslim minority and right-wing violence committed against illegal immigrants, Pleios said.
Konstandaras said in the 14 years he'd been with Kathimerini, he could not recall a case of failing to report news about the owner having trouble in another sector of his holdings.
"If you ignore it, others will not," he said. "I don't think our readers have been deprived."
But there's also a different kind of influence, brought about in part by the interests of the owners' firms and the fact many reporters moonlight by working for their sources – including the government, according to Mulopoulos, the Syriza official. Whenever there's a military purchase, media groups advocate an outcome "according to the interests of their owners and contacts with specific economic interests," he said. Journalists received money to advocate state purchases during the 2004 Olympic Games and during the construction of the Athens subway system.
Whether it comes to power after Sunday's election or becomes the main opposition group, Syriza says it will press to establish a new media framework. It would require greater transparency in media ownership and demand TV and radio stations be licensed through a competitive bidding process in which applicants must demonstrate economic viability. It has also called for guaranteeing labor rights for journalists to ensure their independence and for transparency in state advertising, which Mulopoulos says is now the main source of income for media.
Earlier this month, Mulopoulos called in political reporters earlier this month to demand that they "observe the rules" – not demanding friendly coverage, he later told McClatchy, but calling for fair reporting. His remarks, which might have stirred controversy in other countries, weren't reported in the media the next day, according to an informal search.
Perhaps least controversial will be the ban on journalists receiving wages or subventions from the government. Mulopoulos estimated that 500 to 600 of the 20,000 Greek journalists are on some sort of government payroll, paid out of secret funds designated as serving "social purposes." He said the ministries of defense, security and foreign affairs were among those paying journalists.
The Greek Foreign Ministry denied that it has a list of journalists being paid out of secret funds. "There are no funds going to any journalists," a spokesman told McClatchy Friday. He provided McClatchy a ministry statement issued on Jan. 19 about "national funds of a confidential nature," which said that since Nov. 11, "no disbursements of these funds have been approved."
Konstandaris, of the newspaper Kathimerini, said he had no question the government had put reporters on a secret payroll, but described the payments not as a way to earn support for official policies but as personal favors.
As for journalists moonlighting by working for their sources, he said that has now diminished greatly.
"I found it very, very widespread, when I joined the Greek press," said Konstandaris, who grew up in South Africa. "I was horrified. You would find someone working in the press office of the economy ministry working for a radio station as their reporter for the economy ministry."
"That, I think, is dead," he added. "I can't speak for other newspapers. Here, when we started laying people off (during the economic crisis) the first to go were those with another job."


text:
Jennifer Paige Albums
- Starflower (2017)
- Best Kept Secret (2008)
- Positively Somewhere (2001)
- Jennifer Paige (1998)
Jennifer Paige Lyrics
Jennifer Paige's Photo
Jennifer Paige Biography
Pop diva Jennifer Paige was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and at age eight she began performing in local coffeehouses in a duo with her older brother, Chance Scoggins. Two years later, she began studying piano. A short time after moving to Los Angeles, Paige teamed with producer Andy Goldmark and in mid-1996 began work on her self-titled debut LP; originally released on the German indie label Edel, it was issued in the U.S. on Hollywood Records in 1998, launching the hit single "Crush." By the new millennium, she was in her early 20s and moving beyond the mainstream teen-pop that made her a star. A second album Positively Somewhere, which was released in fall 2001, reflected Paige's fresh and sophisticated musical direction. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide


text:
Team Raleigh's 14-man professional racing squad was officially launched in Nottingham, England on Monday 21 January with the help of some special guests.
The launch took place at the home of Raleigh UK, the Team's primary sponsor and attracted support from ex-Nottingham Forest and England footballer Viv Anderson and former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan.
Anderson and Vaughan were in attendance on behalf of Team sponsor GAC and talked about the synergies between their sporting achievements, the Raleigh and GAC brands, and Team Raleigh's strengths.
Following its hugely successful period in the 1970s and 80s, which culminated in a Tour De France win in 1980, the new Team Raleigh has been in existence since 2010 and has been steadily progressing through the ranks of professional cycling.
Team Raleigh begin their 2013 season as a Continental level team, competing in domestic, European and International races but, according to team manager Cherie Pridham, "will be looking to build on last year's domestic successes and raise the bar in Europe."
This year's squad includes four riders from the 2012 team - Graham Briggs, Russell Hampton, Evan Oliphant and Matthew Holmes - and eight new riders; Alexandre Blain, Richard Lang, Lachlan Norris, Sam Witmiz, Mark O'Brien, Rob Britton, Tom Scully, Tom Moses, Mark Christian and Eric Berthou.
The launch was presided over by Eurosport Commentator Anthony McCrossan who introduced guest speakers from the team's three primary sponsors, Raleigh, GAC and The Nottingham.
As well as highlighting Raleigh's recent successes, Viv Anderson and Michael Vaughan, patrons of GAC, also spoke about the importance of sport sponsorship for the global shipping and logistics brand.
Geoff Giddings, Raleigh Marketing Director reflected on a highly successful 2012 campaign, which saw over 50 podium places in races including the Tour Series and the Vuelta Mexico, and restated the team's desire to get to the pinnacle of professional cycling.
David Marlow, Chief Executive of The Nottingham spoke about the strong local brand connection with Raleigh, which has had its headquarters in Nottingham for over 125 years.
"Following the success of our partnership with Raleigh last year, we're delighted to be sponsoring Team Raleigh again in 2013. We aim to continue to do some great work in the community together.
"I'd like to take this opportunity on behalf of everyone at The Nottingham to wish the riders at Team Raleigh all the best for the coming year." - David Marlow, Chief Executive, The Nottingham.
Bill Hill, Group Executive Vice President - Commercial from GAC added: "The renewal of our sponsorship deal comes after a successful and exhilarating year for Team Raleigh. It was also a year that saw a huge rise in interest in cycling, after the achievements of riders like Bradley Wiggins. GAC is delighted to continue its support of Team Raleigh and encourage greater participation in this highly competitive and eco-friendly sport."
The team and its support staff were presented in front of team sponsors and some of the UK's top cycle stores before an impromptu happy birthday rendition to the team's new Australian signing Lachlan Norris, who was celebrating his 26th birthday at the event.
The Team now head off for a tough winter training camp in Majorca, followed by some early season races in France. Fans will be able to catch Team Raleigh at their first UK races in March.
The Team
Graham Briggs
Russell Hampton
Evan Oliphant
Matthew Holmes
Alexandre Blain
Richard Lang
Lachlan Norris
Sam Witmiz
Mark O'Brien
Rob Britton
Tom Scully
Tom Moses
Mark Christian
Eric Berthou


text:
Volvo won't sell you a V8 anymore, and soon you won't be able to get anything that has more than four cylinders. However, they're sticking the V8 you used to get in an XC90 in S60s bound for the 2014 V8 Supercars Championship. With some modifications, of course.
What started out as a 4.4-liter, 60-degree aluminum V8 has been enlarged to a 5.0 that runs on E85. There's no word on power, but judging from Polestar's past racing events it's bound to make more than 600 horses. Oh, and it revs to 7,500.
So, while normal people are going to have to make do with an S60 and V60 Polestar powered by just six cylinders and making a measly 350 horses, know that there's still a V8-powered Volvo out there screaming.
Photo: Polestar


text:
The more accurate and complete your listing, the higher the likelihood that the
buyers contacting you will be serious about your vehicle.
Have your lease contract handy when listing it contains important dates and details
that will make the listing process easier.
Include the Lease-end Buyout or "Residual Value" in your listing. The cost of purchasing
the vehicle at lease end is an important consideration for buyers (if you are unsure
about the amount for lease-end buyout, your leasing company can provide this information)
Compare your lease deal with others on the site to make sure you are offering is
Accuracy is very important. If you dont have all the information when you first
list, be sure to find and update your listing with the correct information.
Check for information on your Leasing Companys particular policies by clicking on
the Leasing Company Information. This link can also be found
on the left hand browse bar. Not all leasing companies support lease transfers,
while others allow a transfer but continue to hold the original lessee liable for
future payments. Familiarizing yourself with any restrictions, fees or policies
(such as geographic restrictions) can save you time by not pursuing a buyer who
cannot qualify for your lease. If you should have any questions, LeaseTrader would
be happy to answer them.
As always, if you have difficulties or questions at any time during the listing
process, please
Contact Us and we will be very happy to assist!
Keep your listing current by using your Seller Central to update mileage and your lease information.
Remember, your auto is one of several choices a prospective buyer may have for their
next vehicle, so you need to make your auto as attractive as possible. As far as
the overall condition of the car you need to:
Keep your auto in top running condition. Make all required service checks; take
care of any service needs.
Keep your auto exceptionally clean. A great appearance helps sell your car.
Explore the many listing upgrades that can help your item stand out from the crowd.
Choose the options that are right for you. Check LeaseTrader's Marketing Tools to
see what you can do differently so that your ad creates interest and is seen as
much as possible. We have a programs that have been successful in getting
leases transferred !!! To take a look at these exciting marketing options Click Here.
Once youve been contacted by a registered buyer, the following are tips to help
sell your vehicle and make the deal happen.
Vehicle Condition
Just as with any product a clean car inside and out will give a great first impression.
Your vehicle should be kept in Ready for Sale condition.
Lease Agreement and Service Records
Have copies of your lease agreement and service records available for buyer inspection.
This helps put the buyers mind at ease that the vehicle was well maintained and
the paperwork is in order.
Remember most dealerships and service centers can supply you youre your records
at no cost.
Long Distance Transactions
If your lessor allows transfers to other states, there are inspection and transportation
services to help bring longer-distance buyers and sellers together. Contact us for
more information if you need help in this area.
There are two methods to contact sellers. You can find these two conveniently placed
buttons at the bottom of each auto listing:
You may use a LeaseTrader internal e-mail system to contact sellers early in your
search, to ask questions that are not answered by the information provided on the
listing or about information missing on the listing such as:
What is the current mileage on the car ?
What is the Residual value or buyout price of the car?
Once you are serious about pursuing an auto, register with LeaseTrader.
We suggest also that you submit a credit application so that the seller is able
to decide which potential buyer to choose to transfer the lease to as they will
see whether or not you are a good take-over candidate.
Note that your Buyer registration is good on multiple vehicles.
If your initial vehicle doesnt work out, you dont need to re-register with LeaseTrader,
simply contact another seller.
Youve found the auto that fits your needs now what?
Follow these easy steps and youll be on your way to a successful
experience: As a buyer, you will be assuming a lease contract.
First thing youll need to do is to contact the Seller to arrange a meeting in at
mutually convenient time and place to view the auto, the lease contract, and the
service records. You should allow 45 minutes to an hour for this meeting; make sure
when you call the Seller and ask that they bring the lease contract to the meeting.
The Lease Contract: All your rights and obligations
are specified in the Lease Contract, so its important that you read and verify your
understanding of the lease contract before finalizing a deal.
The Basic Terms of the Lease: Check the sellers contract
for the ending date (the date the lease agreement ends); the total miles allowed,
the cost per mile of additional miles beyond the standard allowance; the monthly
payment; the end-of-lease terms, including the buy-out value (buying your leased
auto at the end of the lease can be attractive), any end of lease disposition fees;
excess wear and tear provisions; security deposit requirements.
The Vehicle: As with any auto purchase, take a good look
at the condition of the vehicle. You will be responsible for the condition of the
vehicle at lease end. Unless youre mechanically inclined, we recommend you get the
car checked by a third party; contact LeaseTrader if youd like a recommendation
for an inspection service. Verify that the current mileage on the odometer meets
your expectations.
Additional Questions to Ask the Seller: If you havent
already, now is the time to discuss any other questions that may be important to
you, including confirming which person will pay the transfer fees, how you will
handle security deposit transfer, etc.
Once youre ready to move forward, and agreed with the Seller on a transfer, the
Seller will contact LeaseTrader to let us know of your deal.
LeaseTrader will contact you to verify that you do indeed want to proceed. After
you verify yes, LeaseTrader will submit your credit information to the financial
institution for their credit decision.
Remember, if you have any questions during the process, you can e-mail or call LeaseTrader;
were here to help you!
Each Leasing Company has their own policies regarding finalizing the lease transfer
process. Some will require your signatures Notarized; others may require you to
meet at an auto dealer or bank branch. LeaseTrader helps guide you through the process
to make it as easy as possible for you.
Once Seller and Buyer have completed the Leasing Company requirements for the lease
transfer (i.e. signed the appropriate transfer documents, buyer has provided proof
of insurance, both parties have paid the appropriate fees, and any other specific
requirements of the leasing company), youre now ready to hand over the keys to the
new lessee.
Generally speaking, we recommend the Seller ensure all transfer documents are completed
and are properly forwarded to the leasing company. Its also prudent to confirm that
the leasing company received and processed the transfer two weeks after you forwarded
the documents.
As the Buyer, you should expect to begin receiving monthly lease payment statements.
If you dont receive your monthly statement by a week before the payment due date,
please call your new leasing company to ensure your statement is being processed
properly. Remember, it is your responsibility to make the lease payments.
Typically the license plates on the vehicle are the property of the leasing company
and should remain on the vehicle. For the specifics of your states policies and
for cross-state transfers, please contact the local Department of Motor Vehicles
office or your leasing Company.
Some leasing companies can complete the process in as little as one day while others
may take several business days. How long it takes depends on a few things. First
is the credit application approval process, which generally takes 24 to 72 hours.
The second factor entails the creation and processing of the required lease transfer
documents, which generally takes 3 to 5 business days. Lastly mail and paperwork
turnaround times must also be taken into consideration. Typically, it takes between
7 to 14 business days to complete the entire process. If youd like information on
the typical time frame for a specific leasing company, please Contact Us and we will be happy to share our experiences
with you.
LeaseTrader protects customer information by using state
of the art 128-bit Secure Socket Layer(SSL) encryption supplied by Verisign.
The listings are updated in real time at LeaseTrader. When
Sellers list their vehicles, they appear immediately on the website. When Sellers
make any changes or add missing information to their listing it appears as soon
as they save the information in our website.
Most leases, if not all of the vehicles listed on LeaseTrader.com
are closed-end leases.
Most of the vehicles listed in LeaseTrader.com are being
offered by the original lease holders looking to get out of their car lease.
Most leasing companies allow car lease transfers, however
very few do not, and some have specific restrictions. Call a LeaseTrader Transfer
Specialist or your Leasing Company to find out their policies regarding car lease
transfers or lease assumptions.
Nearly all leasing companies allow car lease transfers;
however none of them actively promote or advertise this service. Time and costs
associated with the car lease transfer to the Leasing Companies is one of the reasons
Please remember that Lease Transfer or Lease Assumption is NOT a sublease since a
sublease is NOT allowed by leasing companies and is in fact illegal in many states.
LeaseTrader does not advocate subleasing in any way whatsoever, and the LeaseTrader
Marketplace is not to be used for the advertising or seeking of subleases.
LeaseTraders Lease Transfer is a true transfer of equity, done by the leasing company,
with full contractual coverage by all of the parties involved.
A great number of transfers are between people in different
states. We work with a national transportation company that delivers the vehicle
to your location. You can negotiate with the owner as to who pays any costs involved.
For more info on this, visit our
Services section.
We are pleased to inform that we are now accepting Canadian listings. We have received
a lot of interest from Canadian lessees and lease buyers.
Click where it says "Make an Offer" if you would like to
make an offer on the lease or if you simply like to assume the lease Click where
it says "Contact Seller" Log in if you are a registered user or create a new account.
Complete the credit application if you would like to get pre-approved. You will
be contacted within 24 hours with the results.
Initial Credit Application Fee: The cost to join our
buyer programs varies from 39.95.95 to $129.95. The buyer programs include 1 credit
verification and up to a 180 days of membership. The buyer program provides you
with information and lots of tools to expedite, enhance and facilitate your lease
transfer experience. LeaseTrader is available to assist you with the entire lease
transfer process, In addition to the membership, a $249.95 Non-Refundable transfer initiation fee ( * $149.95
after rebate) for services already rendered is due once the buyer and seller agree to initiate the 2 to 3 week long (on average) lease transfer process.
*Transfer Rebate: $100.00
LeaseTrader offers the buyer an instant Transfer Rebate of $100.00 (One Hundred Dollar) to be applied automatically once the payment of the transfer initiation fee is made at the initiation of the lease transfer process.
Note: Failure to pay the transfer initiation fee at the initiation of the lease transfer process will result in forfeiting any and all discounts and rebates offered by LeaseTrader.
Leasing fees: Most financial Institutions charge a fee to process the car lease transfer paperwork. This fee varies from $0-$650
and is payable directly to the Finance Institution (e.g. Mercedes Benz Credit).
You can negotiate with the person transferring the lease as to who pays any fees
Other: If you are in a different state, there may be transportation and optional
third party inspection costs. You can negotiate with the person transferring the
car lease as to who pays these fees. For more info on this, visit our Services section.
No. That's one of the advantages of taking-over a car lease.
You simply continue to pay the monthly car lease payments until the lease term ends.
Yes, up until the final transfer documentation is signed
you can back out at any time. Note that any fees collected by LeaseTrader are non-refundable
if you decide to stop a transfer once the transfer process has begun.
You can negotiate with the person transferring the lease
as to who pays any costs involved.
In most cases you can return the vehicle once the lease is
up at a dealership in YOUR area. This is the case even if you take-over a lease
from a different state.
Yes, most leases have a purchase option. The amount to be
paid will be specified in the contract (residual value or lease end buyout). If
this info is not displayed in the listing, you may send an e-mail to
firstname.lastname@example.com. You must include the listing number in
your correspondence.
Most Leasing Companies will let you extend the lease term.
However, it all depends on the original lease agreement and what the Leasing Company
decides to do. For more details please contact the Leasing Company.
From the Sign-In area you can click on Forgot Password? to request your username
and password. Just enter the email address you have included in your LeaseTrader
account, and the username and password will be emailed to you. If you have any difficulty
obtaining the username and/or password, please Contact Us.
Save thousands of dollars - You simply take-over someone
else's monthly car lease payments
for the time remaining on the lease. No down payments required. E.g. Someone gave
a $3500 down payment on a BMW lease
to lower the car lease payments
to $349 per month. When you take-over the lease, you simply continue paying the
$349 until the end of the lease. You do not have to pay the $3500 down payment.
More car more often - Taking
over a lease gives you flexibility to lease a vehicle for a short amount
of time . Even for a year if you like without the long term commitment.
A longer term commitment. Usually 36, 48, or 60 months
(5 years).
Down payment. In many vehicles there is usually a down payment involved which
you do not get back when the car
lease is over.
Negotiating with a dealer. You have to negotiate the purchase price of the
vehicle, the term of the lease, the excess mileage charge, and the interest rate
included in the lease payment. This is something that a lot of us try to stay away
In both auto leasing and
taking-over a car lease,
the lease can generally be extended and you have to make sure not to exceed the
mileage allowance on the car lease and not exceed normal wear and tear on the vehicle.
Yes, it is possible to terminate most car leases prior to
the scheduled end date, however there are normally significant financial implications
to the lessee when doing so. Each leasing company has their own policies, but most
will charge some form of early termination penalty. It is not unusual for these
charges to be in excess of several thousand dollars. This makes transferring a car
lease through LeaseTrader such a valuable service.
The car lease transfer process is almost the same for most
leasing companies.
The individual wishing to take over the lease submits a credit application
to the leasing company. The leasing company will make a decision on the credit worthiness
of the applicant. If approved, lease transfer documents are prepared and signed
by the original and assuming lessees. The transfer is complete when the signed documents
are returned to the leasing company and processed. There are variations in the fees
and details for each leasing company. The LeaseTrader Team is on board to assist
with these variations and details as you navigate through the car lease transfer
Although we cannot give any guarantees, we have a constantly
updated waiting list of individuals looking to take-over leases. We tend to receive
various applications per vehicle. People nationwide search our listings and constantly
fill out Wish Lists. LeaseTrader's patent pending system automatically notifies
all the people who requested your vehicle the second you put it online.
LeaseTrader has included the basic lease transfer policies
for many leasing companies within Leasing Company Information on this site. If the company
you are looking for is not listed please Contact Us, and we'll be happy to get you more information.
Independent of our pre-screening process, all of the lease
transfers require the approval of the Finance Company involved in each particular
lease (e.g. Wells Fargo Finance). Most Finance Companies charge separate fees in
connection with transferring a car lease. The individual taking over your car lease
typically pays these fees. These fees range from $0- $650.00. To this end,
since we usually receive various applications per listing, we require candidates
to undergo a pre-screening process to determine who is the most suitable to take-over
candidate for your lease. These candidates may undergo a credit check and pay a
$24.95 to LeaseTrader.
Each leasing company has their own policy for how to handle
security deposits during a lease assumption. Most transfer the security deposit
to the assuming lessee, while others return the deposit to the original lessee and
require a new deposit from the assuming lessee. Some of them did not require a security
deposit to begin with. Information on how leasing companies handle security deposits
is included within Lease Company Information.
The individual assuming the lease, will be responsible for
the lease-end terms as stated in the original lease contract. Lease-end charges
may include disposition fees, excess mileage fees and excess wear & tear assessments.
All potential lease-end charges will be outlined in the original lease document.
The Lease Buyer would be responsible for any termination charges, or disposition
fees at lease end.
Normally the terms of the lease, including monthly payment
amount, mileage allowed and lease-end date remain fixed and are controlled by the
leasing company. However, the Buyer and Seller of a lease are free to negotiate
the details of the car lease transfer, as long as they do not interfere with the
rules set forth by the lease agreement or are in violation of any laws. A common
example of a negotiable item is who will pay the leasing company's transfer fees,
transportation fees, inspection fees etc. These agreements are made between the
individual Buyer and Seller, therefore LeaseTrader does not have any control over
the items being negotiated and assumes no responsibility for such agreements.
It generally takes about three weeks to get all the documentation
processed. LeaseTrader offers a service to expedite the lease transfer process.
Contact our Lease Trader Transfer team to find out more about this service, at 1-800-770-0207
Mon-Fri 9 AM to 6:30 Pm EST.
The lease transfer process is final when the leasing company
receives all required lease transfer documents and fees for the transaction. LeaseTrader
will advise you on how to complete the necessary documents and when to submit the
fees in each situation. LeaseTrader will be happy to share our transferring experience
with the procedures of all major leasing company's , please Contact Us with any questions or concerns you may have.
A great number of transfers are between people in different
States. Some restrictions on lease transfers are set by the particular leasing company
Restrictions for each leasing company may be included in Lease Company Information.
You can negotiate with the person taking over the lease as to who pays any costs
involved in transporting the vehicle to another state. Check out our Services section for more details.
Arrangements to inspect the vehicle and get the report to
the Buyer are worked out between the two parties involved. The vehicle may be inspected
by a dealer or mechanic. If you are interested in getting your vehicle inspected
by a third party please contact us via phone or email and we will set you up with
an inspection service provider that we recommend. For more info, go to the Services section of our website.
Each leasing company has their own return policies. Some
allow you to return the vehicle to the local authorized dealer, others have their
own policies.
Car Lease Sellers can save money by having someone assume
their car lease, instead of the other early lease termination alternatives which
are a lot more expensive.
Whether or not the original lessee is liable once the lease
is transferred depends on the leasing company involved. Some leasing companies completely
remove the first individual from the account and some choose to leave the original
lessee's name in the lease contract as a guarantor. When the original leaseholder
is removed, the lease transfer is typically referred to as a "lease assumption".
You may find details on the liability policy for many leasing companies within
Lease Company Information. If you dont find information for your leasing
company, or would like more specific details, you should contact your leasing company.
There are two kinds fees involved in transferring a car lease with LeaseTrader.
The fees charged by LeaseTrader to list and transfer vehicles and facilitate the
auto lease transfer process,
and those fees required by the car leasing company who holds the vehicle lease.
Leasing company fees can include both credit application and lease transfer fees.
Each leasing company has their own fee structure, and they vary broadly from one
company to the next. If youd like to find the fees for a specific leasing company,go
to Leasing Company Information in our site. If the company
you are looking for is not listed, please Contact Us.
As with any change of vehicle ownership, there may be vehicle licensing or registration
fees required by your state. Policies and fees vary by state. The leasing company
which holds the car lease
can advise you on how to manage these details, since technically they own the vehicle.
Some states may require payment of taxes, in addition to the use tax normally included
in monthly lease payments. These are a matter of policy in each state. If you are
unsure about your states policies, you can check with the agency that handles taxes
for your state, or ask a local auto tag agency who should be able to advise you
on how taxes are handled in vehicle assumptions or car lease transactions.
Click here to read more about LeaseTraders's
- Purchase the vehicle
- Sell the vehicle
- Trade the vehicle into a dealer, in which case the dealer pays off the lease.
- Arrange for an assumption (with Leasing Company approval) through LeaseTrader.com
All of these options are available to you. What you are doing is satisfying the
payoff balance (Residual Value + remaining lease payments) at the time of your decision,
which may be more than the value of the vehicle.
- Sell the vehicle
- Trade the vehicle into a dealer, in which case the dealer buys the vehicle or
returns it back to the leasing company.
- Extend the lease by calling your leasing company.
- Turn your vehicle into the dealer.
If you choose to return your car to the finance company you may be responsible for
excess wear and tear as well as the excess on the mileage allowed by you lease agreement.
You are responsible for all maintenance and you should follow
the recommended maintenance schedule as outlined by the manufacturer.
You are required to have insurance on your leased vehicle
throughout the lease term. Refer to your lease contract for details on the exact
coverage required.
Only in those states that assess personal property tax on
leased vehicles, such as Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia,
etc. For information about your state's policy please check your state's website.
By law, you are responsible for all parking/ moving violations.
If you purchase, sell, or trade your vehicle to a dealer
or refinance the lease no mileage charge will be assessed. If , however, you elect
to turn your vehicle in at lease end, and you have exceeded the allowable mileage
stated in your contract, you may incur excess mileage charges. Refer to the section
of your contract titled "Standards for Wear and Tear". This section will help you
calculate excess mileage charges.
In most cases, when you take delivery of your vehicle, the
dealer will handle the necessary steps in supplying you with your first set of license
plates. In subsequent years you will be notified by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles
for renewal procedures.
You are responsible for the cost of license and registration
fees throughout the lease term. You will receive a bill annually from the Bureau
of Motor Vehicles for this cost. In the event that someone assumes your lease then
they will be responsible for these costs.
No, most lenders umbrella insurance will not allow you to
take your leased vehicle outside the continental U.S.
If the tax rate change affects your lease payment, you will
be notified of the new rate. Your monthly payment will then be changed to reflect
any increase or decrease resulting from the tax change.
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prior to your move so they may take the necessary steps in assuring that your vehicle
is registered properly. In addition, some states require additional fees and taxes
to be paid when registering in that state.
You need to have your vehicle repaired.
You need to contact your leasing company and inform them
where you are planning to return your car lease.
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next payment due date, please call your leasing company. Even though you may not
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text:
As much as I love to cook, I never have time to plan weekday lunches. After a frazzled morning at the desk, trying to get just one more bit of work done, I am ravenous by 1 or 2pm. My lame attempts at breakfast (usually Wheatables and fruit gummies) do not suffice.
I storm out of the building in a mad search for anything edible on the street. Unfortunately, other than mediocre $10 sandwiches and faux-Mexican, there is nothing except Safeway and Whole Foods. So I go for supermarket soup. Soup is filling. Soup is warming. Soup is cheap (well, not at Whole Foods). But sooner or later, you get sick of Chunky Chicken Noodle and Spicy Southwestern Bean. I still craved a piping hot bowl of broth-and-protein in the early afternoon, but needed a change.
This week I decided to add a Chinese take-out touch to chicken noodle soup. And make a big batch on Sunday night. While I still like the hot and sour soup I posted two year ago, this one is much, much more filling. And if you are low on Asian pantry staples like canned bamboo shoots and lily buds, you can still make this. I went to the market and bought chicken breast, mushrooms, and scallions, et voilà.
The "hot" in the soup title usually comes from white pepper, but in this instance, adding chili sesame oil worked perfectly. White vinegar was a little too strong for this soup, but cider vinegar gave it a mellow zing. Nevertheless, use the vinegar sparingly, or be prepared to leave your windows open to air out the kitchen. And might I repeat: make a big batch. Your weekday exhausted and starving self will appreciate it.
This week, at least, I was able spend lunch relaxing with a good book instead of speed-walking to Safeway.
Hot and Sour Chicken Noodle Soup
Serves 4
- 1/2 pound chicken breast, preferably skin on
- 1 handful shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded, sliced
- 2 medium-sized shallots, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 2 quarts chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 2 tsp chili sesame oil (or 1 tsp sesame oil + 1 tsp chili oil)
- Salt and pepper
- 2 ounces dried vermicelli
- 2 or 3 scallion stalks, chopped
- Heat 1 ounce olive oil a wok or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Sauté the chicken breast skin-side down until golden brown, about 5 to 6 minutes. Turn the chicken breast over and sauté the other side until fully cooked, another 5 to 6 minutes. You can also put a quarter cup of water in the pan to steam the meat through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to let cool.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 ounce olive oil in a medium-sized pot over high heat. Cook the shiitake mushrooms, shallots, and ginger, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to boil. Reduce to simmer and add soy sauce, vinegar, and chili sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste (for extra authenticity points, use white pepper.)
- Meanwhile, slice the chiclen breast (1/2 inch or so thick) after it has cooled.
- Add vermicelli and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in chicken at the last minute to reheat. Ladle into soup bowls, garnish with scallions, and serve.


text:
Sunday, February 5, 2012
8 comments:
- AnonymousFebruary 5, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Not one of the two Amstaffs???ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 5, 2012 at 7:50 PM
It doesn't take a genius to use these four dogs. Let's use 4 dogs that are not campaigned every weekend and shown coast to coast, heavily advertised and see which breeds will prevail. One can read 1 issue of DOG NEWS and anyone could judge the group and place these 4. Just because these breed have won before doesn't mean they need to be used in this year's placements. When asked why you used these dogs the judge always says because it fir the standard and didn't miss a step. It is always the same response.ReplyDelete
I was actually hoping to see an AmStaff as well!ReplyDelete
Of these dogs, I love Buddy! I've seen him numerous times and have enjoyed watching him place in and win groups.
To the post negatively regarding judging:
Yes, it can become slightly redundant to see the same dogs win again and again. Judges do generally give generic answers. That's the nature of the dog show beast. Still yet, many top dogs are truly stunning paradigms of their respective breeds. I feel they deserve many of the wins they receive and sometimes, just sometimes, the judge is right in saying it fit the standard and didn't miss a step. Perhaps I'm naive, but the best dog does occasionally win because it deserves to and not because of campaigns. And, AS always, Westminster can be full of surprises.
- AnonymousFebruary 9, 2012 at 12:23 AM
Last time I checked the smooth was on a pretty light campaign schedule compared to folks flying all over the country. I would bet his "batting percentage" is better than a lot of the top all breeds. I'm looking forward to seeing the wire and smooth go head to head one more time and would be equally as excited to see someone else crack the top four.ReplyDelete
From one terrier person to another, Look for a group of us wearing bright green t-shirts as we all volunteer for Col. Potter Cairn Rescue. We bring the word to folks suggesting they "Don't shop, adopt" We have been rehoming Cairn Terriers since 2001 and each year the applications to adopt is multiplied.ReplyDelete
We would love to meet you at Westminster. Just a couple of days before the big event.
I will be at the Garden State All Terrier Club show at teh Meadowlands on Sunday, but I will be back and forth between the main arena at the Garden and the Theater where the Terriers are being shown. I would love to thank all you guys for the wonderful job you do for my breed.ReplyDelete
We'll be back and forth between the arena and the Theater also. Setting my alarm so we can be there by 8 am to see our breed. Look for our green t-shirts and if you spot us, by all means give us a shout.ReplyDelete
I'm coming from Central NY...taking the Amtrak along with 3 other gals and will be in NYC from Monday early afternoon until Wednesday early afternoon.
- AnonymousFebruary 12, 2012 at 11:38 AM
You mentioned that two of the dogs were shown on a lighter schedule. Another commented about "batting average."
Is there statistics available anywhere that maybe go more in depth than just BIS and Groups? Maybe showing total times shown, win percentage, or maybe even head-to-head stats?
It would be interesting to see if the numbers play out the way some have hinted this year.


text:
Jayne Osborne necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 52 diseños de 25 diseñadores freelance.
The Technology Industry Assocation is a not for profit member based organisation (www.eicta.asn.au - current name), that will be launched soon. Represents the electronics/ICT industry in South Australia. Use of state colours (blue, gold & red) would be good. A formal, distinctive high energy icon is needed
Technology Industry Association
A logo that is unique (stands out from the crowd), sophisticated but not stuffy, reads well in all sizes, cohesive, embodies mass visual appeal, legible, suitable for overseas use and lends itself to animation.Technology Industry Association is the respected peak body in South Australia representing the $4.9 billion electronics and ICT industry. The Technology Industry Association is a non-profit, member based organisation that delivers tailored networking events, professional development courses, business advice and lobbying opportunities. Use of the state colours - navy, red and gold would be suitable. An icon that symbolised technology in an imaginative way or use of one of the letters in the name would be acceptable too. Overall development of a logo that has an exciting yet corporate look is requested
- Item 1...
- Use of State colours (navy, red, gold) or bold colours
- a 3d logo
- Item 1...
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
Several developments concerning our project on the changing ecology of postsecondary education:
First, a newly désigned project web site, with lots of new content, is here:
Second, we'll be convening the workshop for our monograph _Remaking College_ at NYU later this week. Schedule is attached to this message, and here.
Third, the project's first policy brief, by Jane Wellman on broad-access finance. You can find it here:


text:
Kaley Cuoco, Sister Briana, & 'Big Bang Theory' Cast Help Benefit Alzheimer's Association at A Night At Sardi's 2015!
Kaley Cuoco poses alongside her younger sister Briana as they arrive at The 23rd Annual A Night At Sardi's to benefit The Alzheimer's Association at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Wednesday (March 18) in Beverly Hills, Calif.
The 29-year-old actress was joined at the event by her Big Bang Theory co-stars Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kunal Nayyar, Melissa Rauch, and Simon Helberg, as well as Wedding Ringer co-star Josh Gad, Zachary Levi, Ben Feldman, and Ali Fedotowsky.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Kaley Cuoco
Sarah Rafferty, Maria Shriver, performer Jessica Sanchez, Matt Lanter and his fiance Angela Stacy, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, honoree Joey McIntyre, Scott Porter and his pregnant wife Kelsey Mayfield, Lea Thompson, Kerris Dorsey, and Benjamin Stockham were also in attendance.
Also pictured: Kaley spotted leaving the gym after her yoga class that same afternoon in Hollywood.
FYI: Kaley is wearing a Camilla & Marc satin dress, Aldo shoes, Christian Louboutin clutch, Neil Lane necklace, and Norman Silverman Diamonds studs.
65+ pictures inside of Kaley Cuoco and others at the Night At Sardi's benefit…


text:
Now Hiring? Tips for Conducting Interviews
It's not always a candidate's fault when a job interview goes south.
Hiring managers can commit a litany of sins, such as interrupting interviews to answer phone calls, failing to take notes, acting bored or distracted, bad-mouthing their own companies, bullying applicants, or asking "gotcha" questions for no reason at all, say human-resources consultants. The cost of poor interviews ranges from bad hires to alienated job applicants. At worst, untrained hiring managers can open their employers to lawsuits by asking questions deemed illegal by federal nondiscrimination standards.
Don't Ask
Many common interview questions reveal little about a job candidate. Here are some questions managers shouldn't ask and the alternatives:
AVOID: "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
- Hiring managers ask this question to probe a candidate's career goals, but nobody really knows where they'll be in five years, said interview coach Pamela Skilling.
ASK INSTEAD: "How would this position fit into your long-term career plan?"
- This is more likely to get the candidate talking about her goals, and why the job would be a great next step.
AVOID: What kind of people do you have trouble working with?
- No one answers this question honestly. It also leads candidates to talk about "kinds of people" instead of their own interpersonal skills.
ASK INSTEAD: "Tell me about a time you had a conflict with someone at work."
- Real examples show more clearly how a candidate works with different personalities.
AVOID: "Tell me more about your current position."
- This is likely to yield a regurgitation of résumé bullet points.
ASK INSTEAD: "Walk me through a typical day in your current role"
- A candidate's day-to-day responsibilities can elicit telling details.
AVOID: "Do you have kids?"
- This is not only a weak question, but an illegal one.
ASK INSTEAD: "Would you be able to work the hours required for this position?"
- Keep questions focused on the candidate's ability to do the job.
Source: Skillful Communications
That's why companies are bringing in coaches and launching training programs to boost managers' interviewing skills. A relatively small investment—anywhere from $3,500 to $30,000—can make the difference, hiring experts say, between a team that operates at peak performance and one where bad hires drag on productivity and morale.
At iD Tech Camps, a Campbell, Calif., camp provider with 655 permanent and seasonal staff, regional managers were required to complete a daylong interview workshop this past winter. Propane seller J.S. West & Co., of Modesto, Calif., had branch managers participate in a two-day seminar to standardize and enhance interview procedures. And Netherlands-based Royal Philips Electronics NV is rolling out a program next month that will place thousands of U.S. managers in small-group classes to help them improve the quality of hires and candidates' experience with the company.
Companies tend to assume that practically anyone can conduct a good interview, says Pamela Skillings, founder of New York-based career consulting firm Skillful Communications, which has provided interview training to iD Tech Camps and Columbia University, among others.
Interviewing is a job skill in its own right.
Most managers "wing it," said Ms. Skillings, and incorrectly assume they can simply follow their instincts to the right hire. That can mean that one candidate gets a thorough interview, while another gets a shorter sit-down if the boss is in a bad mood or busy, she added.
Such inconsistency may lead to unintentionally biased hiring decisions, said Lauren Rivera, an assistant professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Her research has found that interviewers gravitate toward people like themselves, who share their educational backgrounds or interests. "That's a natural human thing, but firms need to counterbalance that" by requiring a set of prepared questions and a consistent means of scoring and evaluating each applicant, she says.
Researchers from Harvard Business School found that the worst interviewers—those who let their own insecurities or unconscious biases drive the process, for instance—can have a worse effect on hiring decisions than if a candidate were simply chosen at random.
After seeing too many candidates decline job offers, iD Tech Camps wanted its regional managers, who each hire more than 80 seasonal camp directors and staff annually, to probe more deeply into applicants' abilities and interest level.
Through role-playing exercises in which the "applicant" had a hidden agenda—viewing the job as backup in case plans to move to Paris fell through, for example—participants worked on "not letting candidates get away with vague, generic responses," said Joy Meserve, vice president of camp operations.
Now managers ask all candidates if they're interviewing at other companies and whether they would accept an offer if one is extended. "We want people to be absolutely committed," says Ms. Meserve.
Since the training, Jen Devine, a regional manager based in Weymouth, Mass., said she no longer assumes a candidate is the right fit just because of the relevant experience on their résumés, and she stops herself before giving candidates too many clues about what she wants to hear. For instance, when asking for an example of how a candidate once taught a skill to another person, she refrains from offering anecdotes from her own life.
Ms. Meserve said camp directors' and instructors' evaluations of their teams for this year were the strongest she has seen since the company's founding 13 years ago.
At Philips, managers can take "Interview Process" classes to practice coaxing useful answers from applicants. In the program starting up next month, the company's human-resources staff will help managers make interviews more pleasant and efficient on both sides of the table.
That means more pre-interview preparation, no trick questions, and reducing the number of times a candidate "goes through the wringer," said Russell Schramm, head of talent acquisition for Philips's North America operations.
"We've heard about candidates interviewing with 20 people over three days. That's absolutely absurd" from the applicant's point of view and unnecessary for making hiring decisions, said Mr. Schramm, who added that Philips found itself losing qualified candidates who got fed up with the company's hiring process.
Troubling patterns of employee turnover and workers' compensation claims led J.S. West human-resources manager Brandi Fuller to spend $12,000 on an interviewing coach.
During a training session for the company's 20 managers last month, the coach warned against questions relating to sensitive areas such as a candidate's age or personal circumstances, which are illegal to ask. Managers seemed surprised, a reaction that had Ms. Fuller "cringing...I thought we'd made all of that clear before."
Most interview coaches also target listening skills.
Bosses must do some talking to give job candidates a sense of the company's culture, says Manny Avramidis, head of global human resources at the American Management Association, a professional-development group. But beware managers who talk too much. The candidate should get 80% of the airtime, says Mr. Avramidis. Otherwise, "it's a commercial, not an interview."
The same qualities that make people good interviewers also help them shine in the other parts of their jobs—evaluating information in a thorough and impartial way, for example, and being a good listener.
But these skills don't always come naturally. "It may sound odd, but active listening takes practice," says Ms. Skillings of Skillful Communications.
Write to Lauren Weber at email@example.com
Copyright ©2019 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8


text:
Joint Venture Partner - Audiologist - UXBRIDGE
- Recruiter
- Specsavers
- Location
- Uxbridge
- Salary
- Competitive plus benefits
- Posted
- 08 Jul 2018
- Closes
- 05 Aug 2018
- Job Role
- Audiologist
- Sector
- Multiple Practice
- Contract Type
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full Time
The opportunity
Joint venture partnership is the secret to our success here at Specsavers. Owning, leading and growing your very own business is considered by many to be the pinnacle of your career as an audiologist. We believe that professional hearcare should be led by audiologists just like you - this is your chance to become the leader you were born to be.
What's on offer?
This is an opportunity to buy shares in this established, successful and profitable business working alongside experienced optical and retail partners.
As a partner, you receive a guaranteed salary as well as your share in 100% of the profits from the business.
The price to purchase the shares is confidential at this stage but once you have successfully completed the recruitment process, we will be able to provide you with all the information and support you need to take your step towards partnership. As an initial investment, we ask for a minimum of £5,000.
By joining Specsavers as an Audiologist Joint Venture Partner you will be able to combine your audiology and entrepreneurial ambitions with the commercial strength of the market leader.
Key Information
As a Joint Venture Partner (JVP), you will lead the business with the aim of providing the very best in patient hearcare. Each partnership consists of an Optical JVP, Retail JVP and Audiologist JVP who, together, will own the business taking 100% of the profits. You take care of the day-to-day running of the business and through your commitment to the highest service and professional standards, will be able to add value and grow your business.
What to do next
Do you want to be part of the Specsavers success story? Do you have what it takes to join the partnership?
For more information on this opportunity, please register your interest here:
http://specsavers.avature.net/talentcommunityOther: Usman Afzal
: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Questions of oil tanker safety from Albany danger zone
Plan to expand oil train operations at Albany port sparks fears of disaster in nearby neighborhoods
The public will get more time to comment on what many local residents say is an oil project that could put their lives in danger.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is extending the public comment period before it decides whether to approve plans by oil shipper Global Partners to expand its operations at the Port of Albany.
The Global project has drawn opposition from neighborhood residents in the wake of a series of explosions and derailments, some deadly, involving Bakken crude from North Dakota, much of which flows through Global's facilities at the Albany port.
The worst of those killed 47 people and wiped out the center of a Quebec town last July.
The oil, moved here by rail, is more explosive than was first believed, federal regulators have said, and safety agencies in Canada and the United States have called on their governments to impose new safety rules, warning that an accident could cause a "major loss of life."
At a news conference on Friday, residents of Ezra Prentice Homes and the Mount Hope neighborhood in Albany voiced their concerns about having oil trains next door, saying their lives are at risk.
They said they're troubled about the lack of information they've received about what's in the oil trains and what they should do if there's ever an accident.
"Why the secrecy?" asked Charlene Benton, a local resident. "It's time for us not to allow it. It's very unsafe."
Another local resident questioned what benefits the flow of Bakken crude from North Dakota's oil fields provides to Albany.
"There should be an economic benefit to the city of Albany," said Bill Law of the Mount Hope neighborhood. "We need to know what that is."
Albany elected officials were out in force at Friday morning's news conference, led by Carolyn McLaughlin, the Common Council president. Other participants included Second Ward Council member Vivian Kornegay and First Ward Council member Dorcey Applyrs.
Global Partners, a Waltham, Mass.-based operator of a tank farm at the Port of Albany, wants to install seven large boilers to heat tank cars so that the crude they carry, which in cold weather can have the consistency of road tar, is more easily unloaded.
"This is a community that's getting the disproportionate brunt of the inflow of oil from North Dakota, and the disproportionate risk," said Roger Downs of the Sierra Club's Atlantic chapter. "Energy companies have gotten around not being able to permit pipelines by using pipelines on rail."
Also on Friday, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy and several other elected officials expressed their "deep concern" about Global's plans to expand its Albany port facility.
"(W)e believe that a more comprehensive, public and transparent review of the company's plan is required," McCoy wrote in a letter to state Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joseph Martens.
McCoy was joined in the request by Colonie Town Supervisor Paula Mahan, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Menands Mayor Megan Grenier, Cohoes Mayor George Primeau, and Watervliet Mayor Mike Manning.
Crude oil trains operated by Canadian Pacific Railway pass through all of those communities en route to the port.
On Friday afternoon, the DEC said it would hold a public information meeting on Global's expansion at 6 p.m. Feb. 12 at Giffen Memorial Elementary School, 274 South Pearl St. in Albany.
It also extended the comment period, originally set to expire Jan. 31, until April 2. Comments on Global's project can be made to DEC through Karen M. Gaidasz, 1130 N. Westcott Road, Schenectady, NY 12306, or firstname.lastname@example.com.
"The safety of all New Yorkers is of the highest priority, which is why the State ensures that local first responders train vigorously for all sorts of hazmat-related emergencies including railcar disasters involving ethanol and crude oil," the DEC said in a statement.
The Port of Albany has become a major transshipment point for refineries on the East Coast, thanks to rail links with CSX Transportation and Canadian Pacific.
Pan Am Southern oil trains, meanwhile, move through the northern part of the Capital Region, across central Saratoga and northern Rensselaer counties, to the Irving Oil Co. refinery in St. John, New Brunswick.
That refinery also was the destination for a train that derailed last July in Lac Megantic, Quebec, and exploded, killing 47 people and destroying much of the downtown.
The railroad involved — the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic — didn't have sufficient funds to pay for the damage and is bankrupt.
The assets were auctioned off earlier this week, raising $14.25 million. The buyer was a subsidiary of Fortress Investment Group. Proceeds will go to the Lac Megantic victims and to creditors.
That rail line hasn't reopened, and some believe more crude destined for Irving is flowing through the Capital Region as a result.
An informational forum will be held on Monday. McLaughlin said she hopes that "everyone who's in the direct area of these train tracks" attends. The meeting will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 200 S. Pearl St. in Albany.
"It's all about providing information so people can make decisions about their lives," McLaughlin said. "Global Partners has talked with the Coast Guard, the fire department, Albany Medical Center, but they haven't talked to the people."
Global Partners officials have not returned calls for comments in months. Friday was no different.
firstname.lastname@example.com • 518-454-5323


text:
This is a set of widget styles for Gtk2 based apps.
The fonts and colours for the GTK themes will be read in from your Qt
settings so any KDE font/colour changes will also affect your GTK apps.
If you want Gtk2 apps to use the theme system wide, create a symbolic
link to the new theme like this:
ln -s /usr/share/themes/QtCurve/gtk-2.0/gtkrc /etc/gtk-2.0/gtkrc
If you are using a dark theme, and fonts in Firefox are unreadable because
it does not invert the colors, you can pass USERCHROME=no to the script,
which will disable the modification of userchrome.css in Firefox.
Maintained by: ArTourter
Keywords: qtcurve,gtk,theme,gtk2
ChangeLog: QtCurve-Gtk2
Download SlackBuild:
QtCurve-Gtk2.tar.gz.asc (FAQ)
(the SlackBuild does not include the source)
|Individual Files:
| QtCurve-Gtk2.SlackBuild
| QtCurve-Gtk2.info
| slack-desc
© 2006-2019 SlackBuilds.org Project. All rights reserved.
Slackware® is a registered trademark of Patrick Volkerding
Linux® is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds
Web Design by WebSight Designs | Managed Hosting by OnyxLight Communications


text:
Superbike world championship
First managed by FGSport and also by Infront Sports in recent years, the championship is now in the hands of Dorna. As a result of this, and since the introduction of the Evo series that runs alongside the Superbike championship in 2014, numbers on the grid have been boosted. There are now eight international manufacturers and approximately 25 riders from numerous countries.
With events held at some of the world's most iconic racetracks, Superbike riders take part in two races in each round, which means that a maximum of 50 championship points are on offer during each race weekend. This year the Superbike calendar includes 14 events scheduled to take place in 11 different countries and spanning four continents.
Jonathan Rea held off the title challenge of fellow Brit and Ducati rider Chaz Davies last season, en route to the championship top spot. Davies' efforts also contributed to the Italian team finishing second in the Manufacturers' Championship.