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PoliceTraining.net Training Calendar
2011, Ford rolled out the last of their Crown Victoria Police Interceptors, the
flagship for most law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and
Canada. For the Sedgwick County, Kan. Sheriff's Office, the Ford Crown Victoria had been the
one and only vehicle used in patrol since 1994.
many other agencies, the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office was faced with the
unknown as to what vehicle would replace the Ford Crown Victoria. The three different
police automakers had been working hard at producing a vehicle that would suit
the needs and demands for current law enforcement. The Sedgwick County
Sheriff's Office made the decision to purchase and test the different 2012 makes
and models.
goal for the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office was to test the new vehicles over
a number of months in the real environment that they would be used in patrol.
The testing and evaluation of the patrol vehicles took place on many different
fronts. A group of deputies were selected to test and evaluate the performance
of each vehicle while performing their duties in patrol. The new patrol
vehicles were driven on the EVOC course at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training
Center, KLETC.
equipment was purchased and installed in the vehicles. The equipment was also
evaluated. The Sedgwick County Fleet provided input on the installation process
of the new equipment. The goal was to provide comprehensive information that
would help the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office choose which vehicle/vehicles
would work best for patrol.
were five different makes and models of vehicles tested over a period of about
five months. The specifications and statistics in this section were obtained
from the Michigan State Police website. Along with the Los Angeles County
Sheriff, the Michigan State Police's Police Patrol Vehicle Evaluation and
Purchasing Program is one of the two most significant patrol vehicle test
MSP publishes a yearly report evaluating the numerous makes and models of
patrol vehicles on the market. The estimated total cost of the vehicles came
from Sedgwick County Fleet. These costs were a combination of both the initial
price of the police vehicle and the price of aftermarket accessories used to upfit
each vehicle.
Chevrolet Caprice 9C1
Caprice was a brand-new vehicle design, produced exclusively for law enforcement.
In fact, the 2012 Caprice was only sold to law enforcement agencies in the United States. The rear-wheel drive car was based on
the similar design of the previous Pontiac G8. The vehicle was produced in Australia by Holden, GM's subsidiary company. The
vehicle was assembled in Australia and then shipped to the United States.
The Caprice was
powered by a 355 hp, 6.0L V8 with a 6-speed auto. The RWD sedan hits 60 mph in
5.9 seconds, has a top speed of 154 mph, and a ground clearance of 5.6 inches.
It has an EPA rating of 15 mpg City/24 mpg Hwy. The estimated upfitted price
was $27, 695.
Chevrolet Tahoe PPV
two-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, pursuit-rated Chevy Tahoe has been around
for a number of years and has become a very popular vehicle among law
enforcement agencies. The Tahoe has the most interior room of all the vehicles
tested. It is the only pursuit rated vehicle that is a body-on-frame design.
The Tahoe was
powered by a 320 hp, 5.3L V8 with a 6-speed auto. The 2WD / RWD utility hits 60
mph in 8.0 seconds, has a top speed of 139 mph, and a ground clearance of 8.0
inches. It has an EPA rating of 15 mpg City/21 mpg Hwy. The estimated upfitted price
was $26,029.
Dodge Charger
the Tahoe, the Dodge Charger has been used by law enforcement for a number of
years. In 2011, there were a number of improvements made to the Charger, which
included fixing noted blind spots from previous models, better suspension,
improved brakes, engine improvements, and new steel wheels.
Charger was powered by a 370 hp, 5.7L V8 with a 5-speed auto. The RWD sedan
hits 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, has a top speed of 152 mph, and a ground clearance
of 5.2 inches. It has an EPA rating of 16 mpg City/25 mpg Hwy. The estimated upfitted
price was $26,563.
Ford Police Interceptor Sedan
of Ford's answers to replace the Crown Victoria was the 2012 Ford Interceptor.
This is a brand-new vehicle with the body design and platform based on the retail
Taurus. However, this is not a retail Taurus. Instead, the vehicle was designed
with law enforcement in mind, including all-wheel drive, high-output
alternator, and 75 mph rear-crash test rating.
PI Sedan we tested was powered by a 365 hp, 3.5L EcoBoost twin turbo V6 with a
6-speed auto. The AWD sedan hits 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, has a top speed of 148
mph, and a ground clearance of 5.3 inches. It has an EPA rating of 16 mpg City/22
mpg Hwy. The estimated upfitted price was $27, 886.
Ford Police Interceptor Utility
stopping at just the sedan option, Ford came up with another option for law
enforcement, the Police Interceptor Utility, based on the brand-new Ford
Explorer body style.
The PI Utility
was powered by a 304 hp, 3.7L V6 with a 6-speed auto. The FWD crossover hits 60
mph in 8.0 seconds, has a top speed of 131 mph, and a ground clearance of 6.5
inches. It has an EPA rating of 16 mpg City/22 mpg Hwy. The estimated upfitted
price was $26,607.
Evaluation Process
goal during the evaluation process was to determine which vehicle/vehicles,
plus equipment would work best for the demands and challenges on patrol in Sedgwick County. A number of organizations
and agencies have published performance results and specifications on each of
the new vehicles.
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office wanted to expand that process and test the
vehicles as they would be used in a patrol setting over a long period of time. The
testing of the vehicles would encompass the following variables: day, night,
dirt roads, rain, snow, ice, riding squad, transporting prisoners, and driving
the vehicles on the EVOC course at KLETC.
our agency it was important to select a group of deputies that would test the
vehicles on a daily basis for a number of months. A group of deputies from all
three shifts were selected from patrol. The test group was comprised of
deputies whose time on the department ranged from 4 to 16 years. One of the
deputies was an EVOC instructor. The deputy's physical size was also taken into
consideration. For example, the height of the test group ranged from 5-foot, 4
inches to 6-foot, 4 inches.
were five main deputies selected for the test group along with two alternates. Starting
in August 2012, the first test vehicle was set up and the evaluation process
began. Eventually each make and model was tested until the end of December
2012. During the evaluation process, the test group rotated through the
different vehicles.
deputy spent several weeks in one particular model before rotating to another
vehicle. The alternates were given the opportunity to drive the new vehicles
when the main five were on days off or gone for an extended period of time.
During the evaluation process, between 6,000 and 11,000 miles were put on each
test vehicle.
evaluation form was developed to document the thoughts of the deputies and rate
each vehicle and the equipment installed in them. The evaluation form consisted
of several categories including performance, ergonomics and equipment. Each one
of those categories was broken down with specific areas the deputies had to
address and score including steering, traction, braking, seat comfort,
visibility, trunk space, etc.
scoring of each category was set as the following: 1) Poor, 2) Fair, 3) Good
and 4) Excellent. The deputies filled out an evaluation after they completed
the rotation in each vehicle.
Caprice Pros and
The Pros of the Caprice include
acceleration and handling. The Caprice was very impressive. From the Michigan
State data, the Caprice had the highest top end speed at 154 mph. The rear-wheel
drive and traction control made the Caprice a very maneuverable vehicle in everything
from pursuit driving to inclement weather. The interior room was the largest
among the cars tested.
Cons include delivery time. Since the Caprice is made in Australia, it took
nearly six months from the time it was ordered until the time it arrived in
Sedgwick County. Even though the maneuverability is very impressive, the actual
ride is stiff and noisy. When the police equipment was installed in the vehicle,
there was a noticeable amount of rattling and shaking of the equipment. The
test group thought the trunk felt very small inside.
The transmission hump in the middle of
the car sat up so high that the dual gun mounts our agency had from the Crown
Victoria would not fit in the vehicle. Out of all the vehicles, the Caprice was
the only vehicle this occurred in. The test group did not like the floor
shifter. (Ed. Note: A column shifter is
standard on the 2014 Caprice.) Besides its awkward location, the gears
shift was loose and moved too freely. It was also difficult to recognize the
selected gears. The Caprice V8 has poor gas mileage. Many times the data showed
the Caprice would make between 9 and 14 mpg.
Tahoe Pros and
The biggest advantage the Tahoe has over
the other vehicles is the amount of interior room. The cargo area is very large
with plenty of room. The spare tire is mounted under the frame so one can
easily put a trunk tray in the back. Even though the Tahoe is only RWD, it has
the highest ground clearance of all the vehicles tested. The pursuit-rated
Tahoe performed surprisingly well on the streets and on the EVOC course. For
the size of the vehicle, the test group noted it handled as well or better than
the Crown Victoria.
The test group noted because of size and
the ability to sit up high, running in the emergency mode probably worked the
best in the Tahoe. Motorists seemed to move over or out of the way sooner than
in a patrol car. The deputies felt sitting up higher gave them the advantage to
see farther down the road and around intersections than in a car.
If the officer needs to haul a lot of
equipment or squad up on a regular basis, the Tahoe provides the versatility to
meet those demands better than any of the other vehicles tested. The Tahoe had
the lowest price among all the vehicles tested.
Cons include lower performance. Due to the sheer size and weight of the Tahoe,
the acceleration is not as impressive as the cars. Despite this, the
acceleration was better than the Crown Victoria. A number of deputies in the
test group were able to get into pursuits with the Tahoe. Some noted that not
only was acceleration a little slower than the other test cars, but there was
some brake fading, which they did not experience in the cars. Since the Tahoe
is a SUV, a second cage has to be purchased to divide the back seat from the
cargo area.
Charger Pros and
The Dodge Charger acceleration and
handling were very impressive. The Dodge Charger 5.7L Hemi V8 developed the
highest amount of power at 370 hp. The rear-wheel drive and traction control
made the Charger a very maneuverable vehicle in everything from pursuit driving
to inclement weather.
The fit and finish along with the
quality of ride were at the top of the field. The interior room was the second largest
among the cars tested. A circulating fan from the factory was installed in the
trunk area to keep radios and data components cool in the summer.
Sedgwick County Fleet noted the Charger
was the easiest vehicle to set up among the test vehicles. The Dodge Charger
was the least expensive sedan tested. The appearance of the vehicle was voted
as the best-looking vehicle among the test group.
Cons include the lowest ground clearance among all the vehicles tested at 5.2
inches. A number of deputies in the test group were able to get in pursuits with
the Charger and a few of those pursuits left the paved road and went through
ditches and fields. Even though there was no damage to the car, the deputies
noted they could hear and feel the bottom of the car hitting the ground at
Ford PI Sedan Pros
and Cons
The AWD made the Ford Sedan one of the
best-handling vehicles out of the group. On dirt roads, snow and ice the
vehicle had amazing traction. The EcoBoost 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine
made the Ford Sedan one of the quickest vehicles especially from 0-60 mph.
Cons include interior room. The Ford PI Sedan by far had the smallest interior
of all the vehicles tested. The deputies 6 feet or taller complained about head
room and problems getting in and out of the vehicle. The side pillar of the car
on the inside was scraped up because of the deputy's duty belts hitting all the
time. Having a passenger in the car with the MCT was virtually impossible due
to the lack of room.
trunk space was also very small. Due to the high design of the trunk area of
the car, backing was a challenge because of poor visibility. In the summertime,
the trunk area of the car reached over 150 degrees and caused the radio and
data components to shut down. Unlike the Charger, there was no circulating fan
in the trunk area.
For PI Utility
Pros and Cons
The Ford Utility Vehicle had better
front interior room compared to the cars. The cargo area had the advantage to
store more than in the trunk of the cars tested. The FWD worked well in the
snow and ice. The PI Utility has nice ground clearance for off-road or bad weather
The SUV's maneuverability and handling
was almost equal to the patrol cars. On the EVOC course, the Ford PI Utility
was pushed just as hard as the cars and it performed very well.
As a Con, the Ford PI Utility our agency
tested was FWD instead of AWD. (Ed. Note:
For 2014, AWD is standard on the PI Utility.) We would assume the AWD would
be as impressive as it was on the Ford PI Sedan. The FWD-only drivetrain made
the vehicle awkward and difficult to handle because of the noticeable
torque-steer under heavy acceleration.
Even though the cargo area gave ample
amount of room, the design of placing the spare tire in the bottom of the cargo
area would cause the officer to unload every piece of equipment to get the
spare tire out. Placing a cargo trunk tray in the back of the PI Utility would
not be practical because of the spare tire compartment design.
Since the vehicle is an SUV, a second
cage has to be purchased to divide the back seat from the cargo area. The test
group thought the foot well design was awkward and caused them to trip at times
trying to get in and out of the vehicle. The back seat area was small,
especially when a full cage was installed in the vehicle.
The Ford PI Utility was the slowest of
the vehicles tested. The EcoBoost 3.5 liter twin-turbo engine was not offered
in the Utility Vehicle at the time of our testing. (Ed. Note: the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 is an option on the 2014 PI Utility.)
all the meetings and review of the data, the test group recommended a mixed
fleet for our agency. Two vehicles were recommended, the Dodge Charger and the
Chevy Tahoe. It was obvious that having ample amount of interior room was very
important to the deputies. The Chevy Tahoe met that need. The Chevy Tahoe was
viewed as a very versatile patrol vehicle.
only concern of the group was the fact that the Tahoe was not quite as
maneuverable and quick as the patrol cars. The group discussed that the general
public has access to a number of passenger cars that could easily outperform
the Tahoe. That is why the group recommends having a mixed fleet with both the
Dodge Charger and Chevy Tahoe. The Charger with its high-performance engine and
suspension would help fill that void. At the same time, the size of the Charger
and interior room was acceptable for a car.
reason for the mixed fleet is the fact that even though the testing of these two
vehicles was conducted over a five-month period, the longevity and reliability
of these vehicles is still in question. Picking a single vehicle could be very
costly if the reliability of the vehicle becomes a problem over several
Brad Hoch is a Lieutenant with the
Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office and may be reached at email@example.com. Joe
Page is a Deputy with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office and may be reached
at email@example.com. The evaluation team included Lt. Brad Hoch, Deputy Joel
Blogref, Deputy Jason Burley, Deputy Jeremy Jameson, Deputy Ken Kooser, Deputy
Scott Louthan, Deputy Shawn McMahon, and Deputy Noah Stephens-Clark.
Published in Police Fleet Manager, Nov/Dec 2013
No Comments
Click to enlarge images.


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Red Top Cab
Red Top Cab is a family owned and operated cab service which serves within a 100 mile radius of Bloomington, IL. At Red Top Cab, we have more than 15 years of experience, and offer clean cabs with courteous drivers. We offer quality service, and have taxis including 2-15 passenger shuttle vans.
Now accepting credit cards!
Our Rates
Our rates are regulated by the City of Bloomington:
Red Top Cab
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Bloomington, IL 61701

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Now my question is, does anybody has some infomation about the karmic causes that one is in such a situation? Is it simply because one is him self not wise and constantly seeks such things as they can be very teaching?Not To Associate With The Unwise Is Most Blissful.
Fools or ignorant people not only injure themselves, but also those around them. If we associate with them, we are apt to follow their ways and so harm ourselves mentally as well as bodily, because all troubles or fear arise from ignorance or foolishness. Even if we do not practise their methods, the more fact of associating with them will harm our reputation; in the same way that a banana leaf is contaminated if it is used to wrap up a piece of rotten fish or meat. The leaf is dirty and smelly even after the fish or rotten meat is thrown away.
Here is a story to illustrate this:
Once, when the Bodhisat was born as a man called Akitti Pandita, the King of Devas promised to grant him any boon he asked. Akitti Pandita begged that he might never meet, see or talk with fools. The King of Devas was surprised and asked him the reason for this strange request. Replying, he explained that fools or the unwise ones i.e. people who do not understand discipline, always lead their friends to bad ways and teach them to do wrong, because they do not know the right way them selves. If discipline or good ways are spoken in their presence, they become angry, for they cannot understand, they lose their temper and quarrels arise. If discipline or good ways are spoken in their presence, they become angry, for they do not understand them. Therefore he prayed that he might never speak, meet or come in contact with fools.
Does anybody has any idea of how to change such an situation? Is it just a matter of own understanding or is a "physical" change needed as well? A monk one replayed on a hint "That is mara" with the words: "We do not let go of seeking Mara?"
What are your ideas also in regard or kanti (patient)?


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Roger P.
My Journey
On December 26, 2010 at 29 years of age. I suffered a mid-line cerebellum infarct (stroke), which is quiet rare. That morning, I woke in a daze. My kids were in the bed with me and my daughter recognized something was wrong and was able to get my brother. He and his wife called an ambulance right away.
I was certainly not prepared for what would come in the following days. While at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, I was diagnosed with a hole in my heart that doctors were able to repair. In most people the hole closes at about age 10 but mine remained opened and allowed a blood clot to pass to my cerebellum causing the stroke. During this time, I was heavily sedated and remember very little. I only know what people have told me. I do know it was a very delicate time and could have gone either way. I was placed in the stroke unit. I had emergency brain surgery to release the pressure that was building and remove most cerebellum that was damaged in the stroke. Doctors also put in some drains.
While at the hospital, I went from 215 pounds to about 160 pounds. I had a feeding tube put in and a breathing tube. Once I was stabilized, my dad and I flew to Atlanta, where I was an impatient for about 3 months and I would be assigned a team of doctors, therapists and nurses at the Shepard Center and we got to work rehabbing.
After the stroke, with the help of others, I had to learn to do everything again. Things that were once reactive were impossible. The cerebellum is responsible for motor control, coordination, among other things; my mind seemed to be doing well but my body couldn't do things it once could. I developed what I was told were tremors that I'm still fighting. The tremors greatly impact my speech, eyesight, etc.
Before I left Atlanta, I had my breathing tube and my feeding tube removed. I also had a central line (an IV that went straight to my heart). They removed that, too and I was like a new man. It had been about four months since my stroke at this point.
Afterwards, I was transported via ambulance to the Charlie Norwood VA Hospital in Augusta, Georgia, which took about two hours and I would reside the next 14 months as an impatient. I was very angry upon my arrival. I did not know why I had to be moved and I took my anger out on some of the staff there and family. They wanted to put me in a covered bed and I was not having it. I was placed on the ADRU (active duty rehab unit) ward. Once I met most of my new doctors, therapists, etc. I calmed down. It turned out that this unit was the only one of its kind in the country and the doctors and staff I worked with was professional and very helpful in my recovery. We wore our military uniforms most of the time and had therapy every day 8:00am to 4:00pm and had the weekends off.
The next several months were filled with rehab, doctors' appointments, and preparing my medical packet for the military board. I was assigned a primary physician, psychiatrist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, vision therapist, recreational therapist, counselor and a nurse case manager. They kept me busy and they all did a wonderful job.
What can I say about other patients I met? I learned so much from each one of them. Each one of them personifies the values this country was built on. I am thankful to have met each of them. I also learned no matter how bad my situation it could always be worse. I met patients from all walks of life: from Hawaii, New York, all the way to Puerto Rico; some came from Afghanistan and some from Iraq. All were active duty military and we all had something in common: we were struggling against something we had very little control over. Some had to make very important decisions at a very young age, like whether to amputate a limb. Some had lost their vision and some were losing it. Whatever their reasons for being there, most had good attitudes. This is very hard to do considering what some were facing.
Once a week, we'd go with the recreation therapist on outings to events and military programs or to do fun things like rock climb and kayak. We bonded during these trips and became like a family.
In the meantime, my doctors and other staff were collecting paperwork to discharge me from the army. The military was all I had ever done, and I didn't know if I would ever be able to do anything else. By May 2012, I was able to be discharged from the facility in Georgia and move back to Mississippi with my brother. This meant I was able to be there that fall for my kids' first day of school, which I was grateful for.
Two years and one day after my stroke, on December 27, 2012, I was medically retired from the military. At that time, I was in a wheel chair then a rolling walker and am currently on forearm crutches. I have double vision and a severe speech impediment. I have come a long way and still have a long way to go. I thank God I'm still here though.
On October 23, 2013 I visited the Mayo clinic in Jacksonville, FL to see a neurologist. There I learned I was suffering from ataxia and not tremors.
I know without a doubt that I would not be here if it was not for the many prayers and support from friends, family, staff, and people unknown so, thanks to all.


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GRAND RAPIDS (AP) -- A Washtenaw County man is suing the state over its refusal to grant a license plate that says "WAR SUX."
David DeVarti is joining a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union that challenges how plates are judged by the Secretary of State. The lawsuit in Grand Rapids federal court accuses the state of violating the First Amendment by broadly controlling speech.
DeVarti says his request for a six-letter anti-war message was rejected as offensive.
Iraq war veteran Michael Matwyuk of Kingsford had trouble getting a plate that uses a variation of the word "infidel." The state approved it in September and said any problems were an oversight.
State law bars plates that might be offensive. The state has until Dec. 5 to respond to the amended lawsuit.
Published: Thu, Dec 5, 2013


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MIDDLEBURY — Entrepreneur Paul Ralston has always had a burning desire to try his hand at businesses that depend on fire. To wit, heat has been an essential ingredient at the Bristol Bakery (which he founded) and at his current, growing venture, the Vermont Coffee Company, where the roasting of beans exudes an intoxicating aroma at its headquarters on Middlebury's Exchange Street.
The full text of this article is only available to online subscribers.
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ADDISON — On July 1, 1972, Addison Town Clerk Jane Grace first showed up for her new job with son Michael, then 2, in tow.
This Sept. 29, Michael and Grace's other son, Christopher, who joined Michael as a fixture at the Addison clerk's office in 1973, will be part of lunchtime crowd of at least 200 at the Addison Central School that will celebrate their clerk's impending December retirement after 40-plus years.
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — The Middlebury College women's soccer team improved its record to 4-0 with two shutout victories on the road this week. The Panthers are now ranked No. 9 in NCAA Division III.
The team earned a 3-0 victory at Colby College in NESCAC play Saturday. Rachel Madding scored the lone goal of the first half at 28:12 when she took a pass from Maddy Boston and scored on a long blast.
BRISTOL — Before the Mount Abraham Union High School boys' soccer team's Saturday morning home game, the players, parents, fans, school officials and family members of the late Levi Duclos watched as a plaque in the 2009 Mount Abe captain's memory was unveiled on the home team's bench.
Mount Abe coach Mike Corey spoke about Duclos, a standout player and team leader who perished in a tragic hiking incident this past winter.
His speech, which includes the plaque's inscription, went as follows:
MIDDLEBURY — The town of Middlebury should consider making at least one exception to its current ban on retail establishments of more than 50,000 square feet in order to woo an anchor store to Addison County's shire town, according to at least some of the roughly two-dozen people at a Sept. 18 hearing on the proposed new Middlebury town plan.
MIDDLEBURY — Gardner Stone and Peter James will be welcomed into the Alumni Hall of Fame at this week's Middlebury Union High School football game.
Each year the Middlebury High School/Middlebury Union High School Alumni Association honors graduates by inducting them into its Hall of Fame.
BRISTOL — Bristol resident Elissa Cobb wants to hear a few good spooky stories about her hometown in the next few weeks, and hopes her fellow townsfolk can provide them.
Cobb, in partnership with the Bristol Historical Society, is collecting local ghost stories for a townwide Ghost Walk she is helping to organize for next month. Currently slated for Tuesday, Oct. 23, the week before Halloween, the Ghost Walk is an opportunity for kids and community members to learn about Bristol's historic buildings in a whole new way.
Talk about rich with irony. There's Republican Mitt Romney denigrating 47 percent of Americans for not paying their fair share of taxes. He's the multi-millionaire, after all, who refuses to release his income taxes over the past several years because all bets are that those reports will show he dodges hundreds of thousands in annual tax payments available to the super wealthy. Romney admits that he limits his tax liability to 10-13 percent annually — far less than the 35 percent most people in his income bracket pay.
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yep.. commentating has been really poor...
i dont know why guys like Tony Graig, Robin Jackman, Ravi shastri, Ramiz Raja and Waqar younis aren't commentating they are soo good..
I pretty much disagree with the above. I've enjoyed the commentary a lot more in this tournament than in the IPL. The commentary there was just cringeworthy. The commentary here has been sensible, focused and generally talking about the cricket and not just waffling on about sponsors, bollywood and money.
I'd rather listen to Nasser Hussain, David Lloyd, Ian Bishop, Ian Chappell and Harsha Bhogle anyday as compared with the people mentioned above. Anil Kumble has been a very pleasant addition to the commentary box as well.
I've found his commentary fascinating to listen to so far and with the amount of experience he has and his cool, calm and common sense approach to cricket, I'm looking forward to hearing him commentate throughout this tournament.
Self Elected Vice-President of AAAS
(Ajit Agarkar Appreciation Society)
"Uniting Ajit Agarkar Fans World Wide"
Always Live Life With: Intensity, Integrity and Intelligence
Is it just me, or is Mark Nicholas working as the Ground Announcer at some of the matches?
Bhogle is far too prone to hyperbole. The Indian Mark Nicholas, if you will.
Ponting is made out of hay. Lolz!
I don't have anything against people that don't speak English well as a language that isn't their natural tongue, as I am pretty useless at speaking foreign languages, but why do SS continually pick people that don't speak English particularly well to commentate. Not only that, but they rarely have something inciteful or interesting to add. Sky Sports just assume that if someone has played international cricket, then they must be a good commentator. I could name about 15 people who are contributors to CW that I would rather listen to that have never played international cricket than some people who don't speak English as their first language and have played test cricket for 10 years.
Don't think Sky are to blame here though - it's ESPN and they seem to have gone with almost a 'one country, one commentator' strategy.
I'm sure that people like Anil Kumble could add some very interesting points if they could speak good enough English to articulate them. Sanjay Manjreakar is an exception TBF, he has excellent English and can pretty much speak it perfectly.
Wasim's generally crap commentary is a bit of an issue though.
I understand Wasim just fine, but him and Waqar really struggle to be coherent in English at times. Though they have improved a bit they shouldn't be near an English commentary box for a long time.
Really don't see the issue with Kumble though. He is fluent in the language and articulates himself just fine. Better than a lot of people I know who seem to get on just fine.
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Moderators: Minimalist, MichelleH
Rokcet Scientist wrote:dannan14 wrote:Yeah RS, but Galileo collected facts and based his arguments upon them. Not the other way around.
Sadly, you're wrong, dannan: good science starts with a hypothesis, and subsequently collects facts or devises experiments to support and test that hypothesis.
Digit wrote:And BTW RS, Galileo got it in the neck, not for original thinking, but for his support of Copernicus.
Digit wrote:He was indeed, but not for 'original thought.'
BTW what is the differnece between my attempting to 'stifle dissent' by asking you to prove your assertions and you doing the same to Uni over the death toll in the camps?
Digit wrote:Yes I have, but you are attempting to divert my question again.
Digit wrote:That's how you dodged the last time. Habit forming this is.
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Helping Hands for Travelers: A Shortcut to Needed Paperwork
Private companies can cut red tape to quickly deliver passports, visas and other travel documents.
Business travel would be exhausting enough without the added worry of getting your papers in order. Countries such as China, Brazil and India all now require visas and often demand additional documents, such as letters of intent or government invitations if you are planning on doing business. Last-minute travel can be especially complicated, as can trips with a group or to multiple countries.
Expediting services can assist with the entire paperwork process. They'll know what documents you need—and how to get them much faster than you could on your own.
One such service, G3 Visas and Passports, has offices in eight major American cities and can process passports and many visas in 24 hours. The company counts Jet Aviation, NetJets and GE's in-house flight department among its clients. Mohammed Jashim, senior director at G3, recommends starting the paperwork process two months in advance for an international trip—particularly if your itinerary includes multiple countries—but understands that this is often not possible. "We are here to make your life easier," he says.
Longstanding relationships with the U.S. State Department and international consulates help Texas-based A1 Passport and Visa to provide similarly quick service. "We love procrastinators, because we know how to help them," says A1 founder and CEO Omar Saleem. His business, which often processes passports in less than eight hours, lists the National Business Aviation Association, HP and the flight department at Texas Instruments as regular clients. A1 will travel to the offices of large corporate clients like these and process passport renewals for employees on-site.
Most expediting service companies charge about the same rates, ranging anywhere from approximately $39 to $350 per document, depending on how quickly you need service and how complicated your trip is.
One advantage of using an expediting service is that it will lead you through the complex web that is international travel. Both G3 and A1 will figure out exactly what you need to legally enter a country—the requirements can vary significantly—and then help smooth your path. For example, Americans are typically not free to travel to Cuba because of continued diplomatic strains, but, says Jashim, G3 once "helped a few elite clients who were going to visit Castro. We took the documents directly to the embassies to get the visas, and [the matter] was handled legally through the two governments."
Both G3 and A1 have sections on their websites that report on embassy closures, changes in visa requirements and other breaking news. They will also advise on political climates worldwide and help to cut through rumors. For instance, contrary to popular belief, the United Arab Emirates will no longer turn away travelers whose passports have a stamp indicating prior travel to Israel, but certain other Middle Eastern countries may still do so.
"We will often make recommendations to clients based on what we see in their current passport [regarding previous travel]," says Saleem, who notes that the U.S. Department of State allows Americans to apply for a second "limited" passport (valid for only two years as opposed to the usual 10) that can be used to avoid these sorts of conflicts as well as in situations such as visa delays.
Obviously, when a third-party expedites your travel documents, you need to consider the security of your information. A1 shreds all papers containing critical data such as Social Security numbers as soon as it finishes with them, retaining only basic information such as passport expiration dates and email addresses, so it can send reminders about renewals. G3 also follows strict security procedures, which involve shredding some documents and keeping others in locked storage.
Jennifer Leach English welcomes comments and suggestions at email@example.com.


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Write Your Own Review
UK Returns
We are pleased to offer a no quibble 28 day returns guarantee for any reason for a full refund.
For our UK based customers we have a free returns option available to you.
Delivery Cost
We are pleased to offer FREE standard delivery on all UK orders over £40. For any orders under £40, delivery will be charged at £3.50.
Next Business Day Delivery is available on all UK* orders, at a charge of £5.00. These orders will be sent on a FedEx 24 hour service. Please note orders placed after 15:00 on Friday or on Saturday & Sunday will be despatched on Monday to be delivered on Tuesday.
*Please see list of excluded postcodes here
Delivery Timescales
Orders are despatched Monday to Friday. For same day despatch we do ask for orders to be with us by 3pm GMT. Any orders placed after this time will be despatched the next working day.
Standard delivery orders are sent on a 48 hour, trackable service with Royal Mail.


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Needlepoint Canvases
Needlepoint Alley carries a wide selection of handpainted needlepoint canvases from the nation's top needlepoint designers. Mostly all needlepoint canvases are stitch painted for your stitching pleasure. New needlepoint canvases are arriving in the shop daily, so there's always something new to see.
Lured Tails (handpainted by JP Needlepoint)
handpainted needlepoint canvas "Lured Tails" by JP Needlepoint
11 x 15"
13 mesh
$139 In stock


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Inspired by comments on here about a home made portage trolley(http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/for...memade-Trolley), I nipped down to B&Q and picked up one of their Sack Trolleys for £21.98. Half an hours work, a free length of pipe insulation (from a mate) and a bit of gaffer tape (poundshop) later and I have something that could have cost me nearly £50.
Purchase one B&Q Sack trolley - with pneumatic tyres - £21.98
Using an angle grinder, chop off the handles, just above the axle supports:
Next chop through and remove the base plate:
Make sure you clean up the cut metal to remove the swarf and sharp bits:
Take a length of pipe insulation and a roll of duct tape:
Using a knife, fashion the pipe insulation to fit:
Using the duct tape - tape the pipe insulation securely into place:
Attach to canoe with a couple of load straps:


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Choosing the Right Wax
On behalf of the Candlewic Company we hope everyone enjoys this year's "Black Thanksgiving". The growing trend has been for more and more retailers to now open on Thanksgiving Day and begin their extraordinary offers. While opening Thanksgiving is not necessarily new the number of retailers doing this is definitely growing. No longer do they seem satisfied with opening up at Midnight, 5 AM and other odd hours on Black Friday they feel picking up the extra day might get them in the "black" faster. Should be an interesting trend to watch in the future now what is going to be interesting question is anyone ever going to open Christmas morning?Read More


text: Along with Nick Jr's Doro the Explorer and Diego, Blue's Clues is an award-winning, play-along, think-along, half-hour animated series. The Blues Clues show stars a live-action host named Joe and an energetic, bright blue puppy named Blue. In each episode, Joe invites viewers into his computer-animated storybook world to help him and Blue solve the day's puzzles. Blues Clues is copyrighted to Nick Jr. and it's respective owners of the Show.


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Berkshire Dumps Most of J&J and GE Stakes; Adds Deere & Co.
Warren Buffett was busy buying and selling stocks in the third quarter.
Warren Buffett and his investment lieutenants, Todd Combs and Ted Weschler, were busy buying and selling stocks in the third quarter. Berkshire-Hathaway's most recent 13-F filing, which provides an overview of the firm's long equity portfolio as of September 30, shows a number of significant changes. Berkshire sold most of its position in both Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) and GE (NYSE:GE).
According to the filing, Warren Buffett's holding company cut its stake in pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson by 95% and its GE position was slashed by 88%. As of the filing period, Berkshire held just $34 million worth of JNJ and under $12 million of GE. The firm also sold out of its positions in Ingersoll-Rand (NYSE:IR), Dollar General (NYSE:DG), and CVS Caremark (NYSE:CVS) during the quarter.
Among the stocks that were purchased during the quarter were Deere & Co. (NYSE:DE), Precision Castparts (NYSE:PCP), and Wabco Holdings (NYSE:WBC). It is likely that these positions were initiated by either Combs, Weschler, or both, and not the work of Buffett.
The relatively small position sizes would suggest that the Oracle of Omaha did not choose the stocks himself, as he normally is only involved in purchases of $1 billion or more. The Deere position was valued at $337 million while Precision Castparts accounted for around $216 million. Berkshire reported that it owned 1.6 million shares of Wabco, worth around $92 million.
The total value of Berkshire's stock portfolio was $75.3 billion as of September 30, versus $74.3 billion at the end of June.
Additional noteworthy activity in the third quarter included additions to existing stakes in General Motors (NYSE:GM) and National Oilwell Varco (NYSE:NOV) by 50% and 47%, respectively. Berkshire also cut its stake in UPS (NYSE:UPS) by 77%. Other positions that were trimmed included Lee Enterprises (NYSE:LEE), Kraft Foods (NASDAQ:KRFT), and Visa (NYSE:V). The Lee stake was cut by 65%, Kraft by 48%, and Visa by 25%.
Other stocks that Berkshire was selling in the quarter included Verisk Analytics (NASDAQ:VRSK), ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP), Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG), and US Bancorp (NYSE:USB), although the reductions in position size were not terribly dramatic.
Editor's Note: This content was originally published on Benzinga.com by Scott Rubin.
Below, find some more great ETF and market content from Benzinga:
Sharp Higher on Rumors of Rescue by Intel, Qualcomm
Euro Area Enters Second Recession in Four Years
Euro Recovery Not Likely to Last as Protests Highlight Worsening Economic Conditions
Twitter: @Benzinga
Benzinga Pro covers this and all market news in real time. Get your free trial here.
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Copyright 2011 Minyanville Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Daily Recap Newsletter
entertainment, education and
smart market commentary.


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- "She can see into the future, although what she sees is based on decisions being made; thus, she must wait for a decision to be firmly rooted in the mind, or acted upon, before she can see the end result. Her talent is limited to humans and vampires because she has been both; she cannot see the futures of werewolves or hybrid vampires."
- ―Entry on Alice's gift[src]
Subjective precognition is Alice Cullen's ability to predict future events using mechanisms other than the five senses. This ability belongs to Alice's male counterpart, Archie Cullen, in Life and Death.
Alice's power works by receiving visions of the future, sometimes at will. At first she couldn't control them, but she gained it during her growth as a vampire. She can use it to keep tab of an object's decisions by merely focusing on it. She has also said that some visions come to her when there is a connection between her and the source of the vision; whether it be a threat to her family or simply someone she relates to. In battle, she uses her visions to anticipate her opponent's moves and avoid his advances, or worse, turn his own moves against him.
She can focus on several objects at the same time, though only as much as her mind can comprehend. Several visions can come to her if the situation forces more objects together.
In Eclipse, Alice explains that since her visions are no illusion of the mind, but rooted into reality, she can see Bella's future.
Her visions are subjective; she can only see the future once a decision affecting it has been made, and some visions are more certain than others. But the visions can change if the subject changes her/his mind, meaning sometimes it can change too quickly for her to see clearly. If a decision not firmly in place, her visions will be fuzzy and unclear, and she will see different "pictures" until decided. And at times, other decisions that concern her subject may affect the outcome.
Her subjects can "hide" from her visions by being indecisive. The vampire Victoria evaded detection while creating an army by letting someone else select her soldiers and remaining in the shadows.
She can see vampires perfectly, and humans to a lesser degree. However, she cannot see any vision involving shape-shifters or vampire hybrids, because, as she says, "she had never been one". In Breaking Dawn - Part 2, she seems to have figured out a way around it, as she is able to see both Renesmee and the packs. The closer, or 'attuned', she is to an individual, the clearer she can see him or her.
It is highly likely that she cannot see any vision that involves real werewolves.
Alice had been able to see visions since she was young, though her predictions weren't always certain, and mostly manifested as feelings. They only occured as visions when the future was stone-set.
She was accused of being a witch or changeling because some people believed she had put a curse on them instead of believing that she was merely seeing what was going to happen. At age 18, she had a vision of her mother's death and tried to keep her safe, but she ultimately failed. As her father remarried within 6 months after her mother's death, she confronted him with her suspicions, and then saw herself being killed and realized that she had turned to the real culprit.
Her father later accused her of having gone mad as a result of her mother's death and her visions, and demanded that the county take her away. Alice was eventually admitted to a mental asylum where she received shock treatments that removed all of her memories.
Alice was saved by a compassionate vampire, who changed her and sacrificed himself to protect her from the tracker James. Alice smelled beyond mouth-watering to James, so she was changed in order to prevent James from killing her.
By becoming a vampire, her clairvoyant power was strengthened—her first vision as a vampire was of Jasper Whitlock: she saw herself in a happy future with him. Though she knew where he was, she knew the time for them to meet hadn't come yet and so waited for him to find her instead.
After the two finally met, they searched for the Cullens, because they wanted to have a family and to help Jasper become 'more vegetarian', utilizing Alice's premonitions to find them. They haven't left the family since. Alice constantly used her power to help protect the family in any way possible; ranging from foreseeing danger to hiding from sunny days. In addition, she uses it to keep watch of the stock market.
- "She knows other things. She sees things―things that might happen, things that are coming. But it's very subjective. The future isn't set in stone. Things change."
- ―Edward's description of Alice's gift.[src]
In Twilight, Alice sees Bella joining them as a vampire, and that it would storm at the baseball clearing. She also sees Laurent, Victoria and James coming towards the clearing after they hear the game, but since it was a snap decision, there was no way to run or to hide Bella. After they run to Phoenix, Alice sees James meeting Bella at the ballet studio and at Bella's house. It can also be assumed that she also sees Bella running from Jasper, but that it was too late to stop her. When they get to the ballet studio, they save her even though she is severely injured. When recreating a scene for Bella's accident, Edward says "Alice had a little too much fun gathering evidence".
Midnight Sun
In Midnight Sun, Edward shares Alice's visions with his telepathy and describes the experience more clearly. It is revealed that she saw him leaving after his first encounter with Bella, Tyler's car crash seconds before it happened, Bella becoming Alice's best friend, Edward supposedly killing Bella, Jasper's attempts to kill Bella, Edward blocking his attempt, and, finally, Edward falling in love with Bella. She also sees Bella's two ultimate fates, one that results with death due to Edward's loss of control; and one that foretells her becoming an immortal.
New Moon
In New Moon, Alice saw Bella jumping off a cliff, and assumed she had committed suicide because she couldn't see Jacob, him being a shape-shifter (though she didn't know it at the time). Alice becomes very uncomfortable when she can't see something because of a shape-shifter. She told Rosalie while she went to Forks to see Charlie, There, Bella who explained what she was doing and about the Quileute tribe. Later, Edward, posing as Carlisle, calls Charlie to check on Rosalie telling the truth about Bella being dead. Jacob answered and told Edward that Charlie was at a funeral. Alice revealed that Edward thought the funeral was Bella's, and that she really was dead. They rushed to Volterra, Italy, to prevent Edward from committing suicide as well, and Alice saw visions of him trying to think up ways to get himself killed, but his changing his mind so quickly made almost impossible for her to tell final decision. Bella managed to stop him in time, but they were all, including Alice, brought to the Volturi, who asked them to join. They declined. When Caius demanded Bella dead because of her knowledge of vampires, Alice shows Aro a vision of Bella becoming a vampire. They were then set free, and Alice later voted that Bella become a vampire.
In Eclipse, Alice sees a vision of Victoria being back in town. After Edward leaves Bella in her care, she sees her running off to La Push with Jacob, but cannot stop her. Afterwards, during the mysterious string of Seattle murders, the family realizes an army of newborn vampires is being orchestrated by someone who knows of Alice's power as they are changing their minds very quickly. When they realize the army is coming for them, they start training and enlist help of the Uley pack, though Alice cannot see the outcome the second they decide to include themselves. Eventually, they realize Victoria is behind the army along with her new partner Riley Biers and the Cullens wait up in the snowy woods to wait out the fight. Alice manages to keep tabs with her opponents' movements and use them to her advantage.
Before the arrival of the Volturi, it is revealed that Alice is irritated with Jasper as he wouldn't let her fight and, as a result, Jasper was bit by a newborn vampire during the battle.
When Bella asks Alice why she can see her future and Jasper can affect her emotions when other vampires' powers have no effect on her, Alice answers that her power is to see the future affected by people's decisions, but not the thoughts and reasons behind them; and Jasper can actually manipulate people's emotions.
Breaking Dawn
During Breaking Dawn, Alice's visions of Bella's future are completely blocked due to her pregnancy with Renesmee. She explains to Jacob that it gives her a headache to try and see, and since she cannot see at all with him around, her headache gets lessened. After Renesmee is born, and Irina reports her to the Volturi which initiates Alice's vision about their arrival, Alice and Jasper leave, instructing the family to gather as many witnesses as they can. Alice sends various others along on her travels, and eventually reappears at the final confrontation with several other vampires, and the hybrid, Nahuel. Nahuel informs the gathering that he, his sisters and Renesmee are not of any danger of exposure, and the Volturi leave in peace. When everyone confronts Alice about her disappearance, she apologizes and admits she took so long because she was trying to look for what she couldn't see, like it was a blind spot.
At the end of Breaking Dawn - Part 2, Alice shows Aro the inevitable future of a battle if he decides to proceed with his plan to destroy the Cullens and acquire the gifted vampires, which will result in the demise of his coven, as well as some of her family members (particularly Carlisle and her lover Jasper). In the vision, she uses her power to dodge attacks while making her move on Jane.
In the movie, she demonstrates having visions of both shape-shifters and half-vampires, but does not explain how she had found a way around her inability to see them: the entire battle-vision involves the shape-shifters and Renesmee's escape with Jacob.
At the end of the movie, she has a vision of Bella, Edward, Jacob, and a fully-matured Renesmee, concluding that the four of them will live happily together.
Archie Cullen
Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined
In this gender-swapped novella, Alice's male counterpart, Archie Cullen, sees Beau Swan's future after he was bitten by tracker Joss: his sister, Edythe, wants to suck the venom out of his system, but it has reached in too deep. Archie sees two futures right then: Beau joining the Cullens as a vampire or die trying to stop the process.
He learns his inability to see shape-shifters when the pack comes to confront them.
The fact that Alice was able to see James coming for her as a human is questionable. If her gift involves seeing humans and vampires because of her transition, she should not have been able to see vampires as a human. However, perhaps because humans can become vampires or werewolves through a bite, this allowed her to see James in some ways. This also suggests that her power involves seeing real werewolves as well, since a vampire's gift is only enhanced and not restrained by the transformation.


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BRISTOL — Vermont State Police arrested a Leicester man Thursday night on multiple charges after he allegedly stole a car in Bristol and led police on a chase along Route 17 before crashing the vehicle into a utility pole.
It was at around 10:12 p.m. last night that police received a call from Bristol resident Christopher Dion stating his car had been stolen from his garage and was last seen traveling west on Route 17 toward Bristol village.
VSP Trooper Joe Szarejko and Officer Ken Marcelle of the Bristol Police Department spotted the vehicle, which did not pull over at the request of authorities.
What ensued, according to Szarejko, was a chase at speeds reaching around 80 miles per hour as the driver — later identified as 20-year-old Jacob Bachand — traveled west on Route 17 toward Route 7.
While still on Route 17, and after passing Sawyer Road, police said Bachand lost control of the Buick, traveled left of the centerline, and struck a utility pole (shearing the pole in half) prior to coming to rest against a large tree.
Police said they quickly removed a "dazed" Bachand from the vehicle and placed him in custody.
Bachand sustained minor burns and lacerations from the airbag in the car deploying. Bristol Rescue took him to Porter Hospital. After being treated and released, Bachand was taken to the VSP barracks in New Haven, where he was booked for driving under the influence, as authorities measured his blood-alcohol content at 0.151 percent; the legal limit for driving is 0.08 percent. He was later lodged at the Marble Valley Correctional Center on $2,500 bail for additional charges of gross negligent operation of a motor vehicle, attempting to elude, excessive speed and violation of his conditions of release. Police said charges of burglary and operation of a vehicle without the owner's consent are pending.
The New Haven Volunteer Fire Department, Bristol Rescue, and a Central Vermont Public Service Corp. crew were among organizations responding to the scene of the crash.
This incident remains under investigation.


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Savona Mirrored Collection
Clear and Black Glass
3 Drawers
Retailer Information
Homes Direct 365 are based in the North East and specialise in stylish furniture, mirrors and lighting in the UK.
We are an online based company only and do not have a showroom.
Our philosophy is that your home should reflect your own individual style and aspirations. Whether dining, relaxing or sleeping, the timeless furniture designs you will see in this on-line store will enhance your environment to give you years of pleasure.
Our sales team are highly trained and experienced, dedicated staff who wish to look after our customers every step of the way, from any queries you may have prior to your purchase through to an excellent after sales service.
At HomesDirect365 we are passionate that everyone should have access to high quality furniture. We are here to make your life easier; our website helps you to quickly find what you are looking for.
Dispatch: Ready to dispatch within Same working day order before 2pm


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Skin cancer is not a cancer, it is a curse; and, in actuality, it is "The Curse"prophesied in both the Bible and the Koran foretelling of "fires that burn the wicked." The Ultraviolet Light that singles out white people and burns their skin with incurable sores, and even kills them, is that "fire" those books of prophesy foretell of. Whites present it as a "cancer." But, be not deceived.
While The Devil's propaganda campaign to present his damnation as a cancer is filled with misinformation, there are some things about its rate of growth and numbers of yearly deaths that he's been forced to publish. (NOTE: YKN STUDIES FIND BOTH RATE OF THOSE AFFECTED & THE NUMBERS OF THOSE WHO DIE EACH YEAR ARE SEVERELY UNDER REPORTED.) Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and the fastest growing. Continue reading


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[/i]Of all the exotic beaches and places you may have seen the V2 and V3 tested, I am sure this is the most unlikely (and maybe uninteresting) one. Dimitri sent me a V2 to try out on a trip I am taking on the 27th. He sent it early so I would get it before the xmas shipping rush. After seeing this video, he might rethink sending kites earlier than needed.
With too much time on my hands, no wind, and a cow pasture at my disposal, I decided to do my own "Redneck V2 Testing" There really was no wind most of the time, and I had to wait around for some 4 and 5kt puffs just to get the thing in the air. It did get there, and it was entertaining to see just how light the wind could be while I nursed this thing through the air. I was impressed, and Dimitri assures me that had this been a V3 we would have had even better results.
Looking forward to actually trying it in the water later this week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJI6pgB4 ... e=youtu.be
Mr.KYLakeKiter love the title "Redneck v2 testing" video. Maybe I should name my next light wind V3 video like that. I guess you guys must of been very bored an anxious to test that INFINITY V2 demo and see if what you read and see was true.
As you can see on the video the V2 had difficulties staying up in the air in 5 knots. This is where the V3 puts the V2 to shame. But again who will kite in less then 5 knots on an SUP board!!! You need to be very good. Again the V2 & V3 are perfect from (6-7 to 13 - 14 knots) for people that are interested in kiting in such light winds.
Any way, make sure to test the V2 in the water in 7 to 11 knots and then test it from 11 to 16 knots and let us know what you think. Then please send it back because I do have other customers waiting for it.


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Leonardo DiCaprio marks birthday by raising money for charity
LEONARDO DiCAPRIO marked his 38th birthday by throwing a star-studded party in New York for friends including CAMERON DIAZ, BEYONCE and ROBERT DE NIRO, raising £312,500 for charity.
The Titanic star turned 38 on Sunday (11Nov12), and he celebrated by hosting a bash at Manhattan hotspot The Darby on Saturday night (10Nov12).
DiCaprio partied with famous pals including Beyonce and her husband Jay-Z, as well as longtime movie collaborator Martin Scorsese, his The Wolf of Wall Street co-star Jonah Hill, Harry Potter's Emma Watson, and actor Jamie Foxx.
Other guests included Mark Ruffalo, Edward Norton, Chris Rock and Busta Rhymes, while the evening featured musical performances from Gary Clark, Jr., jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt and pianist Eric Lewis.
The Hollywood star showed his charitable side by using the party to raise money for a good cause by adding a fee to every bottle of booze sold.
A £312,500 donation was made to the American Red Cross, according to New York Post gossip column Page Six.


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Art Conservation – Painting Restoration
If you have studied art, collect paintings, visit museums, love period films, favor historic preservation of old buildings and are interested in restoration and preserving the past… YOU WILL FIND THESE NEXT TWO VIDEOS MOST INTERESTING!
Here is a quick insider's tour of our painting conservation lab.
We are also well known for Mural Conservation/Restoration – On-location jobs even outside of the US. Here is a quick super-interesting video introduction to our capabilities"
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Analysis for condition/authenticity
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Art collection consultations where extensive experience is required
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Testimonials include both short videos and written for:
Expert witness, legal testimony and consultation work
Here's quick testimonial regarding helping with insurance matters/claims
Go to www.fineartconservationlab.com/testimonials
One of the techniques used by conservators to evaluate art and determine previous restorations is a UV black light. Learn about a new UV light, NEW INFO!
Go to www.fineartconservationlab.com/uv-blacklight
See other links for more info in the Navigation Bar.
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Oriana Montemurro – Art Conservators
Call us at 805 564 3438 office or 805 570 4140 mobile
(Scott's mobile – after hours and on weekends OK)
email Scott Haskins at


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"THE GAME" - (6:00-6:30 p.m. ET)
"Gifted" (TV-PG, DL) (HDTV)
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING - When Melanie (Tia Mowry) sends gifts to the football team on behalf of Derwin (Pooch Hall) in honor of the first game, Derwin gets teased and his teammates Jason (Coby Bell) and Malik (Hosea Chanchez) feel pressured to reciprocate. A gift giving competition ensues. Wendy Raquel Robinson and Brittany Daniel also star. Arlene Sanford directed the episode written by Julie Bean (#40596-003).


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Beaufort County officials are beginning to implement changes to address intersection safety at the Pinecrest development along Bluffton Parkway, but they're still expressing reservations about meeting resident demands for a new traffic signal.
Officials posted a speed limit reduction to 35 mph last week near where Crossings Boulevard and Masters Way meet Bluffton Parkway, but they told a County Council subcommittee Tuesday that they also might restrict left turns at the intersection residents call perilously narrow. Adding a traffic signal, however, comes with potential drawbacks and difficulties related to funding and the rights to the road, said County Administrator Gary Kubic.
Although county staff are saving formal recommendations for later in December, transportation engineer Colin Kinton reiterated that the bulk of manuevers made at the intersection are right-hand turns and new traffic signals come with disadvantages even if warranted, which a study based on federal guidelines has called into question. He said only two wrecks in the last three and a half years were related to crossing the intersection, with most resulting from rear-end collisions that a signal might increase while causing delay.
"They're not a panacea for solving all of our problems," he said. "There's other things we need to consider."
Kinton's study found about 15 percent of the daily manuevers from both sides of Pinecrest are left-hand turns. An alternative he put forth would require drivers to make right turns then pull a U-turn instead of turning left.
Councilman Jerry Stewart endorsed the left-hand-turn restriction but asked Kinton if that modification would allow the county to restore the previous speed limit of 45 mph.
"To me it's not a very satisfactory situation," he said. "You're defeating the purpose of the parkway."
Kinton confirmed the county could go back to the previous speed limit, but he said portions of the parkway around Simmonsville and Malphrus roads are 35 miles per hour.
Issues remain with the road itself, which is private and part of a town of Bluffton development agreement that doesn't involve county jurisdiction, Kubic said, adding the last attempt to change the right of way about a year ago failed because the deal retained developer rights. Typically the law forbids spending public money for "a perceived benefit on private property," he said.
"It's not so much a precedent, but it does raise questions about using public money on private property," Kubic said.
Beyond that, the site distance, which was shaped by an earlier decision to install a golf cart tunnel between the two sides of Pinecrest, could present "corresponding consequences" with the introduction of a traffic signal.
"I can't - nor will I - make a recommendation to introduce a light without a corresponding solution to potential stacking at the other end," he said.
With 22 other signal requests county-wide, officials have to maintain consistent reviews, Kubic said, adding he's still working with Bluffton on the right-of-way issue and possible cost sharing with the developer.
The two Pinecrest residents who spoke after the meeting weren't mollified.
Phyllis Lambert, the Pinecrest resident who started a petition for the signal, argued forbidding left-hand turns shifts the risk for a rear-end collision to the U-turn area and study data underplays the dangers of the intersection.
"We just need help and we need a light," she said.


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It is dumb luck then that Papilles (French for papillae) opened in another dank elbow of a strip center, almost below a bridge in a notably Lynchian section of Hollywood. Papilles may not be in my neighborhood, but it is in one that I can embrace. The restaurant rather boldly claims inspiration from so-called bistronomy, the Parisian trend that emphasizes intelligent, high quality food at affordable prices, frequently on prix fixe menus, and convivial, casual settings. Bistronomy has lured several modernist titans including Le Comptoir's Yves Camdeborde into eschewing the chase for three Michelin stars with its attendant superfluous frills (and greater financial risk) which perhaps explains its allure to restaurateurs in Los Angeles. Papilles honors this new Parisian way: For $35, the customer gets two options in each of three courses and may choose from a shelf of wines that are reliably left-wing if not as recondite or enjoyable as those Messrs. Jancou and Amdur would pour. The interior matches the prices; 10 or so tables and an open kitchen squeeze into a tight space whose dark colors and assorted pictures of flowers offer traces of outer arrondissement charm.
The chef is Tim Carey, who despite an apprenticeship with a local Ducasse alumnus, is a kid in a Dodger cap with a chef's knack for profanity, or at least that is his schtick. With help from an assistant or two, Carey cooks his heart out on a nightly basis under what I imagine are serious financial and self-evident spatial constraints. Accordingly, the preparations are straightforward and, this being California and not Paris, more Chez Panisse than Le Comptoir.[1]
[1]Do not expect, as you can at Le Comptoir's dinner service, a slim jewel of a gougère that demonstrates a virtuoso mastery of balance between bread and cheese or a fusiony Raviole de crevettes dans son bouillon, A La verveine et chanterelles, a dumpling for all intents and purposes served in its own East Asiany broth with dried chanterelles and verbena, the flavorful shrimp inside cooked to a soft near-perfection. And while Papilles will not serve astoundingly delicious rognons de veau de lait, the chef, I'm guessing, is under strict instructions not to serve said kidneys with deep-fried tuna fingers and broccoli, puréed Hatfield's style, which Camdeborde strangely has no qualms about doing.
With the statewide ban on foie gras weeks away (which will affect only the few restaurants statewide that serve the luxury item), restaurant insouciance is at a premium these days. Naturally Papilles added a genuine torchon to the appetizer list that is helped along by a syrup or coulis made from those ever famous Harry's strawberries plus a few berry wedges for good measure. Forget any asinine comparison to foie gras in France, the foie was good, and any avian suffering, therefore, worthwhile. Let's hope Papilles practices civil disobedience post-July 1. After all, the de rigueur distribution of ashtrays in K-town watering holes poses an irrefutably greater health risk (and thus deeper moral problem) than the alleged mistreatment of a few birds, and the L.A.P.D. does not seem so feared at Toe Bang.
The Wife loved her soft-shelled crab which was as fresh as can be. Deftly fried to emphasize the crab's essential lightness and accompanied by piquant mustard greens, my delectable single bite was superior to the one served at Lucques a few weeks later. (Maybe the season had already changed?) At an unavoidable stop-and-chat at the Hollywood Farmer's Market, I learned that Papilles failed to sell what must have been a minuscule allotment of soft-shelled crabs. So don't expect kidneys on the menu anytime soon. I will lodge no complaints against the roast tomato veloute soup, bright orange in color with a couple of whole, baby sun tomatoes sitting in the mix, but I should have ordered the crab.
My main course, sautéed local halibut served with fennel, olives, baby sun tomato, encapsulates what I love about Papilles. The chef has a knack with halibut, emphasizing the fish's inherent flavor by cooking to a soft texture. The first time I had the halibut, a small part was slightly undercooked, a mistake not replicated a few weeks later when serving the halibut in a light bourride broth with perfectly tender baby squid and manila clams.
The desserts tend to be a cheese and a sweet. Accordingly, we bifurcated into a separate cheese course, sharing a plate of Brillat Savarin, the soft cow's milk cheese that was delicious enough to offset the mild nausea I experienced from seeing raisins (the conservative variety!) served as an accompaniment. We ended with a classic strawberry tart that will ensure our return. Anyway, let's hope Lou reopens soon. I miss the scallops, the Faugeres and even that platter of domestic cheeses.
6221 Franklin Ave.
(323) 871-2026


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The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World
[Editor's note: In celebration of the holidays, we're counting down the top 12 Flavorwire features of 2012. This post, at #1, was originally published January 31.] With Amazon slowly taking over the publishing world and bookstores closing left and right, things can sometimes seem a little grim for the brick and mortar booksellers of the world. After all, why would anyone leave the comfort of their couch to buy a book when with just a click of a button, they could have it delivered to their door? Well, here's why: bookstores so beautiful they're worth getting out of the house (or the country) to visit whether you need a new hardcover or not. We can't overestimate the importance of bookstores — they're community centers, places to browse and discover, and monuments to literature all at once — so we've put together a list of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, from Belgium to Japan to Slovakia. Just so you know now, all you bookstore fiends: neither the Strand nor Powell's is on this list. They're both great bookstores, of course, but not particularly pretty (at least in our minds), and thus disqualified. Click through to see our picks for the most beautiful bookstores in the world, and as always, if we've left off your favorite, be sure to add to the collection in the comments!
A gorgeous converted Dominican church gives the power of reading its due diligence. Selexyz Bookstore, Maastricht, Holland


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Sarah Rafferty Fan Gallery > Events > 2016 Events
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Welcome to Sarah Rafferty Fan your first and only fan resource dedicated to all things Sarah Rafferty. Acting for years, she's currently staring on Suits as Donna. Keep checking back for the most up to date news, photos and more about Sarah!


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I can't help but imagine Michael Caine (a la Zulu era) looking at these photos and saying, "cupcakes, farsands of 'em":
The standard, as always, was stunning and our 25 amateur entries and 7 professional entries amounted to a veritable banquet of fruity cupcake goodness.
We have a first in an Iron Cupcake London post – a situations vacant advert! If you are interested in a cupcake and baking related job make sure you check out the write up for Mellissa's cupcake. Unlike other recruitment consultants, I shan't be charging a fee should I find Mellissa some staff! Here's Mellissa on the right; if you're lucky, she could be your future boss!
In what Max (my nephew, who greets most of you at the entrance and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Iron Cupcake London entries past and present) terms "Iron Cupcake Spirit" (ICS) we tasted all the entries, even if we don't usually like the flavours involved. I love ICS as it challenges my prejudices and makes me discover the joys of flavours I thought I didn't like!
Here are our winners on the night:
Winner (Amateur)– Kelly's Watermelon cupcakes
So much to appreciate here! Kelly's light vanilla sponge was tinged red and she included chocolate chips so that it looked just like a piece of watermelon; it also included melon pudding. The frosting was also amazing - Kelly brought watermelon syrup back from the States and it had such an intense fruitiness to it that kept piling flavour into your mouth. I have to confess that I was delighted Kelly won because, aside from her awesome cupcakes, she is our only baker who has entered every Iron Cupcake London competition – tenth time lucky! Well done Kelly on these masterpieces in cupcake form!
Runner up (Amateur) – Andrea's Cinnamon peach cupcakes
Andrea's combination of cinnamon and peach was new to me and it worked so well that I wondered why it wasn't used more often. Her light and airy cinnamon sponge contained cinnamon and peach compote that was delicate and delicious; the frosting was cinnamon cream cheese. The peach was subtle and came through after the cinnamon – very delicious indeed!
Winner (Professional)– Eloise's Tayberry ripple cupcakes
Eloise is our most decorated Iron Cupcake London baker and, if my memory serves me correctly, this is her FOURTH title! Tayberry tastes like a cross between blackberry and raspberry and has a novel, yet at the same time familiar, taste. The lovely vanilla sponge was topped with the fruity swirl frosting that was light and whipped. Ying, one of my trusty helpers and co-eaters oohed and ahhed over the beautiful lilac/purple hue of the cake. A deserved winner as it was as tasty as it was stunning.
Runner up (Professional) – Kerry's St Clements cupcakes
Kerry's lemon drizzle cake was topped with an orange cream cheese frosting. The sugary crust of the cake provided some lovely texture and the cream cheese frosting worked particularly well with the zingy citrus flavours. This cupcake was very refreshing to eat and it's always nice to see a classic flavour combination grab the votes!
Here's a run down of all the amateur entries:
Gem's chocolate and coconut cupcakes
Gem put together one of my favourite flavour combinations here – it had that creamy coconut taste of a Bounty bar. The coconut buttercream has to be one of the best buttercreams I've ever tasted and, luckily, Gem piled it high. Subtle hint: Gem, if you wish to share the recipe I will be eternally grateful!
Fiona's Blueberry and earl grey cupcakes
Fiona's earl grey and blueberry combination was delicate and flavoursome – the early grey was in both the sponge and buttercream, the blueberries were only in the sponge. The fragrance of the earl grey hit first then the fruitiness came through. I found this an imaginative and beautiful combination. The lustrous little roses topping each cupcake completed the look perfectly – I loved the girliness of these cakes.
Charlotte's Strawberry cheesecake cupcakes
Charlotte created an 'inverted cheesecake' here, practically a cheesecake tatin (humour me!). The sweet strawberries were on the bottom, topped with rich cheesecake with the biscuit 'base' on top! Having it upside down did alter the way the flavour hit and I found it a great success.
Tamara's Strawberries and cream cupcakes
Tamara's chocolate sponge was topped with strawberries and cream with a dusting of chocolate flake. The cocoa hit came first then the palate cleansing fruit and cream. Max, my co-eater, turned to me and said "these are gorgeous". I can't add anything to that!
Gill's Lemon meringue cupcakes
Gill went for a classic combination – sponge base, lemon curd and meringue topping. Her crisp meringue made a lovely crunch sound when you pushed your fork into it and the lemon wasn't too sour, nor too sweet. A masterclass in a classic dessert!
Kirsten's Gooseberry and elderflower cupcakes
Kirsten put so much work into these beautiful cupcakes. The sponge was gooseberry and elderflower and contained gooseberry curd (which was divine – why don't we see gooseberry curd as often as lemon curd?) and her delicate little shortbread biscuit sat above a gorgeous swirl of frosting. The flavour was light and refreshing and it was like eating summer in a cupcake!
Shereen's Lime and margarita cupcakes
Shereen's cupcakes were like eating a cocktail i.e. very, very good! Her lime sponge was zingy and fruity and topped with a margarita frosting; it was so clever as you got the hit of lime, then the kick of salt and then – whoosh – in came the tequila! Packed with flavour.
Ann's Sticky toffee cupcakes
As a self-diagnosed 'stickytoffee addict' I couldn't wait to tuck into Ann's stunning looking cupcakes…and they didn't disappoint! The rich toffee sponge managed to be both sticky and light and the whipped frosting was the sort of thing I will find myself dreaming about in hungry moments! And for any of you asking the question I was asked several times on the night, the answer is "dates".
Ankhelitza's Black forest cupcakes
Ankhelitza, ably assisted by her lovely mum, brought us these beautiful creamy cupcakes. The chocolate sponge contained little pockets of sticky morello cherries and this was teamed with kirsch cream filling and a vanilla cream topping. I, for one, certainly appreciated how generous Ankhelitza was with the cream!
Jack's Apple, blackcurrant and clotted cream cupcakes
Jack's cupcakes were heavenly and you could taste all three flavours. I loved the addition of clotted cream; I've baked using double cream before but never clotted and it was amazing – so rich and satisfying. The blackcurrant frosting was intense and I just loved the overall taste of the cupcake.
Kathryn's Raspberry delight cupcakes
Kathryn used raspberry in both her sponge and her white chocolate cheesecake frosting. NB. If you have just read the words "white chocolate cheesecake frosting" without drooling, feel ashamed…very ashamed! The frosting was incredibly smooth and retained the sharp edge of the cheese which worked very well with the raspberry.
Elizabeth's Creamy St Clements cupcakes
I was so pleased Elizabeth managed to enter – she was up from Wales visiting friends and, having followed the event on line, was finally able to take part. Lucky us! The orange sponge had a limoncello centre and the orange and lemon "cream cheese" frosting was tangy and flavourful. I say "cream cheese" because Elizabeth's entry was vegan.
Rosalyn's Sticky toffee cupcakes
Rosalyn's light and succulent sticky toffee sponge was topped with a salted caramel buttercream. It was a wonderful combination as the saltiness cut through the richness and danced around your mouth. Rosalyn judged the salt perfectly and it gave a classic a modern twist – very clever!
Pippa's "He's Peachy Keen" cupcakes
Pippa's peach sponge was topped with mascarpone icing and strawberries. The whole taste was light and fresh and this cupcake scored Max's second "gorgeous" of the night! I was particularly impressed with the mascarpone icing – it was very clean tasting and effective; I can see it working well with all fruits.
Araminta's "Lemon poppy star" cupcakes
First off, let's all "ahhhh" at the pretty star shape of Araminta's cupcakes! I really liked the balance Araminta got into her lemon – it was tangy and citrus but not at all sharp. The crunchy poppy seeds added lovely texture. This was a classic combination executed perfectly; as Ying, my co-eater said "these are pure tasting and effective"!
Mara's Rainbow sherbert cupcakes
Mara's cupcakes reminded me of my youth spent guzzling fruity sherbet (in truth, there would also be an adulthood spent guzzling fruity sherbet if I knew where to buy it!) The orange, raspberry and lime flavours really packed a punch, the lime being the standout flavour, and the sponge was coloured three ways to match the frosting rainbow.
Alix's "Waterloo Sunset" cupcakes
Alix's vegan cupcake comprised of a peach and rosewater sponge filled with "drunken" peach compote and a rose and peach frosting. These had a heady, exotic flavour and the two elements remained distinct whilst complimenting each other. This cupcake was an eye opener for me as I'm not usually mad on rosewater but I thought these were beautiful (in taste and look!) – also, kudos for name-checking a Kinks song!
Kerryn's Passionfruit coulis cream cupcakes
Kerryn made a little sponge sandwich of her cupcake tapping into that other trendy item of baked goods: the whoopee pie. The passionfruit sponge was sandwiched by cream and passionfruit coulis and the top sponge had a generous sprinkling of coconut. The tropical taste worked very well with the cream and soft sponge….and bonus points if you noticed that Kerryn served each one on a tiny doily!
Rosella's Lemon and lime cupcakes
Rosella teamed her lemon sponge with a tangy lime frosting and the flavours were clean and fresh in your mouth. Special mention has to go to the beautiful sugarpaste butterflies Rosella made; the angle of the wings and the dusting of glitter made them look very special indeed.
Kyra's Rhubarb and ginger cupcakes
Kyra went for a classic combination and it worked so well. The rhubarb hit first with it's acidic tang and then the warmth of the ginger slowly came through and built in your mouth. I loved the simple swirl of frosting and the tiny pieced of rhubarb on top.
Shelley's Black forest cupcakes
Our defending champion created a wonderful black forest with cocoa rich chocolate sponge, black cherry preserve, fresh cream, chocolate flakes and black cherries. The richness of the sponge and the lightness of the cream was divine and the cherry flavour came through after leaving a lovely fruitiness in your mouth.
Shelley's Key lime cupcakes
I'm a big fan of Shelley's cupcakes and particularly love the way she always makes at least two flavours! Her second offering was this perfect looking key lime cupcake. The lime and almond sponge was absolutely dreamy – so moist and flavoursome and the light lime frosting tasted as wonderful as it looked.
Carlo's Rhubarb cupcakes
Carlo struck me as an extremely modest chap – when I asked him if he was entering our professional or amateur competition he replied, "very amateur", but as you will see from the photo that's not the case! Carlo left the rhubarb tart and I like the acidic zing that gives to a cake. His light and frothy meringue topping perfectly partnered the sharp fruit.
So, that's all the amateur entries (I always feel bad calling them 'amateur' when the quality, skill and talent is so awesome)…now let's look at what the professionals served up….
Shaz's Lemon and vanilla cupcakes
Shaz's ethos is to produce healthier baked goods. That means less fat, salt and sugar but without compromising on flavour. These lemon and vanilla cupcakes were topped with either glazed pomegranate seeds or blueberries. The textures were incredibly light and the fruit tasted fresh and…I'm going to say it….healthy!
Mellissa's Strawberry dream cupcakes
Mellissa is not only a previous ICL winner, but she is also Ms Cupcake (you can find her at Greenwich Market) and has appeared on TV spreading her message that vegan cupcakes needn't compromise on taste or texture! . In fact, she's so successful at spreading the word (I guess people are more willing to listen when you're offering them amazing cupcakes!) that she's inundated with work and needs help. Mellissa is looking for part time (at the moment – who knows where it might lead?) paid help. Anyone with a talent for baking can apply via her website (or email directly: email@example.com) . The work isn't limited to cupcakes but all baking – cakes, brownies, biscuits etc.
Ok job advert over….this cupcake was intensely strawberry. It contained both dried and fresh strawberry in the sponge and then strawberry jam between the sponge and vanilla strawberry frosting. I love the two tone effect in the buttercream.
Chris's Pina colada cupcakes
Chris works under the name of Lily Bean Cakes and can be found under that name on facebook. Her pineapple and coconut sponge was basted with a pineapple and rum syrup and topped with coconut buttercream. Need I point out how heavenly this was? The flavours were sweet and tropical and the rum a subtle background flavour. The simple dried pineapple decoration alongside the pretty flower was perfect. Loved it!
Janelle's Sticky date cupcakes
Janelle works under the name of Jamoisie Sweet she explained that it's a combination of Jamaican and Aussie! Her vegan cupcakes are available from Greenwich Market. The sticky date sponge was ultra moist and had a pleasing smoky quality to it that added real depth of flavour.
Janelle's Lemon cupcakes
Janelle's second entry of the night was this dinky lemon cupcake. The flavour was intense – so tangy and fresh. The tiny flower decorations were adorable and finished off the cute look.
That concludes the entries for our tenth challenge; I'm sure several will have caught your eye. Once again, I have to comment on the sheer quality and imagination of our bakers – every month it's like walking into the world's greatest cupcake parlour and being allowed to eat EVERYTHING!
As always I'd like to thank all the bakers for taking the time to enter, and all the eaters for coming along and helping us pick the winner. I leave you with our four worthy winners:
Special thanks to my awesome team of helpers who make the event run so smoothly on the night: Paul, Dave, Tina, Ying and Max – thanks. I couldn't do it without you.
All photos are the property of Dave Shipman and are reproduced here with his kind permission. If you wish to use any of his photos please can you email me first for permission – thanks.


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By Paige Cooperstein | Provided by Business Insider
Americans spend a lot of time and money grocery shopping. The average shopper visits the store about 88 times a year, spending upwards of $6,000.
Consumer Reports recently surveyed 27,208 readers to rank 55 supermarket chains around the U.S.
The top three stores — Wegmans, an East Coast chain, Trader Joe's, a Southern California-based specialty food chain, and Publix, a Southern chain — all had high marks for service and cleanliness.
Wal-Mart had a bad reputation among customers, ranking dead last. Customers complained about slow checkout speeds and subpar food quality.
Above are the top 10 supermarkets, according to Consumer Reports. Here are the bottom 5.
51: Pick 'n Save: Reader score: 72
52. Acme: Reader score: 70
53. Pathmark: Reader score: 70
54. Shaw's: Reader score: 69
55. Wal-Mart Supercenter: Reader score: 67
See the full report at Consumer Reports.


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Opening day for Lake Compounce Theme Park is Saturday, May 11 and guests are invited to take advantage of 'buy one, get one free' Regular Admission tickets for May 11, 12, 18 or 19, when purchased online at www.Lake-Compounce.com.
Proud to be the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the country, Lake Compounce is celebrating its 169th year with an all new wave pool, exclusive party patio, more season pass holder perks two new dining options including Johnny Rockets. In addition, moms will be treated to a little extra pampering on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 12.
Special events are being planned for many weekends throughout the summer, such as Mother's Day and Father's Day celebrations, Independence Day Fireworks on July 5th, and you might even see Santa and Mrs. Clause making an appearance before the summer season ends.
New Season Pass holder perks include 'choose your own bring-a-buddy days', where season pass holders may bring one buddy with them for free on any Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of their choice, on three separate occasions. There will also be 'bring-a-buddy for less' days, where buddies receive discounted admission. And on the evening of June 7th Season Pass holders will enjoy a private Luau in Crocodile Cove Waterpark. Complete details can be found on www.lakecompounce.com.
Fresh on the food scene is the brand new Johnny Rockets Express in Crocodile Cove Water Park bringing all-American hamburgers, hand-dipped shakes and American fries to the Lake. In addition, down home, authentic barbeque will be close by at the new Pig House BBQ, and gourmet burgers will be served in the Carousel Café'.
Crocodile Cove Waterpark will open on Saturday, May 25th. Bayou Bay is the brand new wave action pool and is more than double the size of the original wave pool. Bayou Bay will also feature a giant fiberglass statue of the Lake's new mascot, Kyle the Crocodile. In addition, the area will receive a second, state of the art bathhouse with more restrooms and changing areas.
The new Lakeside Party Patio, also located in Crocodile Cove, has been added, overlooking the lake, and can accommodate up to 15 guests for private parties. The party includes use of the patio, food and bottled beverages. In addition, a party concierge will be available to the group to help ensure the event runs smoothly. Reservations must be made online in advance, for a two hour period, between 12noon and 7 p.m., from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
"This year, not only are we continuing to increase the attractions and the capacity in our water park, we are adding more special events throughout the season, as well as even more perks for our season pass holders," says general manager Jerry Brick. "Guests have been looking for birthday party packages and with adding the new Party Patio we now can accommodate pretty much any size group."
Lake Compounce to open for another season
Opening day for Lake Compounce Theme Park is Saturday, May 11 and guests are invited to take advantage of 'buy one, get one free' Regular Admission tickets for May 11, 12, 18 or 19, when purchased online at www.Lake-Compounce.com.


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Ace Frehley's Pre-Kiss Demos Unearthed
A demo acetate from the band Molimo -- featuring guitarist Ace Frehley, who would later join Kiss -- was recently discovered in a collection of old vinyl in a barn in upstate New York.
The band had recorded a demo for RCA records in 1971, but the recordings were shelved. Two years later, of course, Frehley joined Kiss. The existence of the recordings was known, but years back, the RCA vaults were raided trying to find them to no avail. Kiss fans have long waited to hear these long, lost and unheard tracks and now, they can.
Record collector Chris Reisman had been tipped off to a "barn full of 10-to-20,000 records," according to the Village Voice. "I went up there every Tuesday for a month straight. I was able to get through everything, and in the last wall unit's last shelf of records was a corner full of test presses and acetates and it was in there. At the time, I had no clue what it was, but I just bought them all," he said. The owner had no idea where or when he acquired the disc.
As for Molimo, the group had formed using the sounds of Jefferson Airplane as their template, incorporating male and female lead vocalists.Their sound has a distinct late '60s feel, with Frehley's guitar giving it an edge. Though Ace left the band, he stayed in touch with his old band members, who changed their name to Tomorrow Morning and, coincidentally, were also signed to Casablanca, releasing one single in 1974.
Reisman has put the Kiss rarity up for auction on eBay, and after just a couple days, the bidding is already up to over $1000.
Hear Ace Frehley Perform With Molimo
Watch Our Exclusive Interview With Ace Frehley


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"Come check out the best little Market Place in town!" One can always find fresh produce and great deals on many of the items offered from used to new products including clothing, furniture, tools, variety of nursery plants and flowers for your garden, plus much more. Enjoy a day of pleasant outdoor shopping with family and friends for great bargains!
Free Admission, plus -
We offer 'premium parking' for only $1.00 on Saturdays and $5.00 on Sundays - also, plenty of additional free parking nearby.
The Ventura College Foundation, who operates the Weekend Marketplace at Ventura College, is pleased to offer all county non-profit organizations one or more free vendor spaces to set up an informational booth and/or to use the space to sell goods for fundraising purposes, e.g. a rummage sale or garage sale. This offer is available for any SATURDAY during the year. You can reserve multiple Saturdays, at no cost. For over two decades, the Marketplace has hosted thousands of vendors and patrons every weekend, with all its proceeds funding programs at Ventura College and student scholarship and grants. We are seeking to make our Saturday event more of a Community Fair, as we've recently introduced a quarterly mobile health fair and other community aspects. This is a great opportunity for non-profits to make some money, and/or raise its programs' visibility with the significant foot traffic at the Marketplace. Please contact the Marketplace Supervisor at email@example.com
Marketplace Office Hours:
Marketplace office hours are Fridays 8am-4pm. The Marketplace operates on Saturday and Sunday from 8am-3pm. (Office hours 7am-2:30pm) They can be reached at
(805) 289-6062.
The Marketplace provides a link between Ventura College and the community. The proceeds from this weekly event bring funds to the Foundation for the benefit of the College and its students. Vendors pay a modest fee to rent space where they display their items for sale. These funds currently help cover all Foundation operating costs as well as supporting scholarships, educational enhancement grants and many other projects undertaken by the Ventura College Foundation.
Location - The Marketplace is located on the Ventura College campus at the corner of Telegraph and Day Road - 4667 Telegraph Road.
Marketplace Information Documents
2017-2018 Rules
2017-2018 Rules Spanish
2017-2018 Space Fees
Entrance Map
Market Place Layout
For any other specific questions please call 805-289-6062 or email Esmeralda Juarez at firstname.lastname@example.com.