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Uber vs Lyft vs Taxi: Which Rideshare Option Should You Choose?
When you need a ride, who do you call — Uber, Lyft or a taxi? As ride-sharing services become more popular, and cab companies try to adapt, the answer may change. Here's a comparison of Uber vs Lyft vs taxi services in a few basic categories: safety, speed, rates and attitude.
Uber vs Lyft vs Taxi: Safety
News reports of Uber and Lyft drivers assaulting and harassing passengers, or crashing their cars, are, unfortunately, widespread.
Uber and Lyft both run background checks on drivers and require them to carry liability insurance. However, they also make passengers agree to strict terms and conditions that place the risk squarely on the passengers and seek to absolve the companies of responsibility for drivers' behavior.
Cab drivers aren't immune from behaving badly, of course. But if a taxi driver harms a passenger, whether intentionally or accidentally, it's usually easier for the passenger to seek recompense from the cab company.
What about road safety? In 2016, Uber began running a pilot program that uses smartphone technology to get a more accurate picture of drivers' road behavior. "Gyrometers in phones can measure small movements, while GPS and accelerometers show how often a vehicle starts and stops, as well as its overall speed," explains Joe Sullivan, Uber's chief security officer. This can help determine what actually happened if a driver's and passenger's accounts differ.
Not only that, Sullivan says, but Uber could use this technology to proactively identify safety issues. For instance, the company could determine "that the average South Florida Uber driver goes 50MPH and takes 50 minutes to drive from Miami to Fort Lauderdale. For drivers who go much faster on that stretch, we can ask them to curb their enthusiasm."
Winner: Taxi
Lyft vs Uber vs Taxi: Rates
On Jan. 1, 2016, some Uber customers got a nasty surprise on top of their hangover: their ride home on New Year's Eve had cost them more than $200. A surge in demand caused rates to spike to nearly 10 times the norm. One man even tweeted a picture of his $484.85 bill for a 24-minute ride.
Ride-sharing apps have become so popular largely because they offer a cheaper alternative to traditional taxis. But that's not always the case — Uber and Lyft rates depend on local demand, so may rise at rush hour or in the evenings. But on an average day, which is the best deal?
Let's look at New York City ride-sharing and taxi rates. (Taxis also charge a few additional fees.)
|Base Fare
|Per Minute
|Per Mile
|$.50 (slow traffic)
Too much math? No problem. Researchers tackled the Uber vs. taxi pricing conundrum and found that in New York City, yellow taxis are, on average, $1.40 cheaper than UberX. Uber may be a better bet for long trips, however. The OpenStreetCab app can help you make the call.
Winner: Depends
Uber vs Lyft vs Taxi: Speed
When you need a ride to the airport and your plane's leaving in 75 minutes, speed counts. So when you're weighing Uber vs Lyft vs a taxi, which is fastest?
Here, ride-sharing wins. Pickups from Uber and Lyft are "significantly faster and more reliable" than taxis, one San Francisco-based study found in 2014. About 90 percent of Uber and Lyft passengers were picked up within 10 minutes, but less than 40 percent of taxi passengers could say the same.
All three services are trying to improve. New taxi-hailing apps may give cabs an edge on speed. And in 2016, Lyft announced a partnership with Waze to help drivers pick up passengers and get to their destinations more speedily.
Winner: Uber, Lyft
Lyft vs Uber vs Taxi: Attitude
There's one more major difference with Uber and Lyft, and that's each company's personality. While Uber had its start as a luxury private-chauffeur service, Lyft wanted to be more touchy-feely, NPR reports: "Passengers are supposed to hop in the front seat and be friendly because, as the motto goes, the driver is 'your friend with a car.'" Lyft also allows tipping, and takes 20 percent of fares. Uber doesn't permit tips, and it takes between 20 and 25 percent on standard service.
As for cab drivers' attitude? That depends on who you get. While some drivers are notoriously surly, you might get lucky and meet a friendly local with stories to tell.


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There is a saying that says;
'We don't see things as they are! We see them as we are!'
So to try and give any introduction here as to what The Elemental Grace Alliance Discourses hold in store for you, one must first come to the reality of understanding what perception is and where we personally are within the realms, that perception projects us. In A Course in Miracles perception is described in this way:-
"Perception is not an attribute of God. His is the Realm of Knowledge. Yet He has created the Holy Spirit as the Mediator between perception and Knowledge. Without this Link with God, perception would have replaced Knowledge forever in your mind. With this Link with God, perception will become so changed and Purified that it will lead to Knowledge. That is its function as the Holy Spirit sees it. Therefore, that is its function in Truth.
"In God you cannot see. Perception has no function in God, and does not exist. Yet in Salvation, which is the undoing of what never was, perception has a Mighty Purpose. Made by the Son of God for an unholy purpose, it must become the means for the restoration of His Holiness to his awareness.
"Perception has no meaning. Yet does the Holy Spirit give it a meaning VERY close to God's. Healed perception becomes the Means by which the Son of God forgives his brother, and thus forgives himself. You cannot see apart from God because you cannot be apart from God. Whatever you do you do in Him, because whatever you think, you think with His Mind. If vision is real, and it is real to the extent to which it shares the Holy Spirit's purpose, then you cannot see apart from God."
Beloved Lady Nada, within the Discourses shares this;
"First, remember that the Holy Spirit is the Impersonal Expression of your Divine Link to God. The Holy Spirit is also Known as Your I Am Presence, The Christ Within, The God I Am That I Am. Here is the first perception that must be fully embraced as part of the Truth and Reality of Who You Are and what you are, in your relationship to God! Without this absolute Knowing, your foundations to build your church remain on clay and not upon the Rock (Truth) God has provided for you.
"It is no mistake that the messages that are now being received across the Globe and here within the Alliance are making way toward the constant movement of Love in Action and the actualisation of the Truth as to where Home or Heaven is and how one may relate to it. 'Home is where you hang your hat', is a human metaphor, which may be understood very broadly and simply as 'any place one resides or lives upon this Earth, which allows them to find comfort and security'. If your home or heart creates happiness and pleasure for you, then we encourage you to continue to find your Joy and Peace within its grounds and walls. However, We ask that you be mindful at the same time, that there is also a wider perspective that may open a whole new Broadband of Consciousness and Universal Awareness."
So before you delve into The Elemental Grace Alliance - A God Awakening, please try to understand that everything that is shared within these pages are based on Truth, yet the perception of that Truth will lay within your own personal experience of where you are upon your Path and your abilities to align with your I Am Presence, or Holy Spirit. It must also be said that even these Discourses are based on perceptions that the Holy Spirit has used to draw us all together in Our pursuit to find God again within Our Lives.
The Discourses are diverse as they are in Their portrayal of the truth but rest assured that if you are ready to take your next step up the Ascension Ladder, as Lady Nada makes reference to, this Book is for you! I pray that having got this far by having it before you, that you follow your I Am Presence Guidance toward the next right choice for you and your Life's Purpose.
In Love, Life and Joy
Universal Enlightenment
Universal Communication
Universal Sacred Union

subset: commoncrawl


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The second annual Sustainability All-Star award recipients will be recognized Oct. 3 at the Green Fleet Conference in Schaumburg, Ill. Green Fleet magazine staff reviewed nominees submitted online based on professional longevity, accomplishments (significant sustainability achievements), innovation (innovative ways individuals have contributed to reducing emissions and fuel consumption), and overall industry involvement.
Altogether, these fleet professionals have reduced greeenhouse gas emissions, created green fleet and sustainability policies, and have dedicated their time and energy to ensuring the path to sustainability is clear.
The following are the 40 individuals, including commercial and public sector fleet managers as well as vendors/suppliers recognized for their outstanding achievements in green fleet sustainability in 2012.
MIKE ABRAMS, Fleet Director, Ferrellgas
Ferrellgas' Fleet Director, Mike Abrams, develops, plans, and executes strategy for the nation's 35th largest green fleet and 246th largest commercial fleet. A 15-year propane industry veteran, Abrams authored the company's Green Fleet Policy, which has identified nearly a half million dollars in annual fuel savings while simultaneously reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions in every community Ferrellgas services.
He helped establish Mid-America Green Fleets, is a former member of the Propane Education & Research Council's Engine Fuel Advisory Committee, and has served on panels at the Green Fleet Conference and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute.Authored the company's Green Fleet Policy, which has identified close to $500,000 in annual fuel savings and reduced GHG emissions. Helped establish Mid-America.
FLEET STATS: 3767 units, 24% green
TOM ARMSTRONG, Director of Fleet, Thyssenkrupp Elevator
Armstrong led ThyssenKrupp's fleet department in creating the "Five C's" protocol to analyze alternative fueled vehicles, which now serves as a model for other companies.
• Is it clean?
• Does it conserve?
• Is it cost-effective?
• Does it make common sense?
• Can you commit?
ThyssenKrupp has 47 ROUSH CleanTech Ford E-series vans and seven F-series trucks. ThyssenKrupp's 499 Ford Transit Connects reduce fuel consumption 293,393 gallons, and save $1,026,874 per year based on a $3.50 per gallon fuel price. ThyssenKrupp is on track to meet goals of operating 10 percent of its fleet on propane autogas, and reducing carbon footprint by 20 percent, by 2016.
■ Led fleet department in creating "Five Cs" protocol of analyzing alternative-fuel vehicles.
■ Use of Ford Transit Connects reduced fuel consumption by 293,393 gallons.
■ On track to meet goal of operating 10% of fleet on propane autogas by 2016.
Fleet stats: 3,100 units, 18% green
Ronald Bast, President, GO Riteway Transportation Group
■ Operates 65% of airport shuttle fleet on alternative fuels.
■ Green initiatives include regenerative braking, fleetwide anti-idling policy, and fuel-conservation program.
■ Member and past board member of Wisconsin Clean Cities.
Since 2009 Ronald Bast has received awards and recognitions for going the extra mile toward fleet sustainability. His Wisconsin airport transportation company, GO Riteway, operates 65 percent of its airport shuttle fleet (8 percent of overall fleet) on alternative fuels.
Currently running 27 propane autogas and electric hybrid vehicles, GO Riteway has an additional 30 vehicles on order for use by year-end. The company is acquiring 75-passenger buses to run on Eaton hybrid systems and converting shuttle vans and school buses, including a paratransit-capable 21-passenger bus, to clean-burning ROUSH CleanTech liquid propane autogas technology.
Other green initiatives include regenerative breaking, a fleet wide anti-idling policy and a fuel conservation program. They also operate EPA-compliant engines in motor coaches. All this is closely monitored to ensure and encourage drivers to comply with corporate policies.
Bast's green policies extend to buildings and employees, who hold manager meetings via Skype to reduce their own fuel consumption and emissions. Their newest building uses energy efficient lights and plumbing to cut down on energy consumption.
Under Bast's direction, GO Riteway has been recognized for their green efforts with the 2009 BUSRide Motorcoach Industry Achievement Award; 2010/2011 Wisconsin Clean Cities Southeast Area Clean American Bus Association's Green Operator Award; and the first-ever American Bus Association's Green Operator Award. They have been awarded the Go Gold Level Green Fleet Certification for 2009 through 2011.
Bast is a member and past board member of the Wisconsin Clean Cities, past president of the Wisconsin Motorcoach Association and director of the National Motorcoach Association. He also serves on the board of directors for the Wisconsin School Bus Association.
Fleet Stats: 750 units, 10% green
Amy Blaine, Director, Strategic Consulting & Sustainability, Donlen
■ Spearheads Fleets for Change program, helping to reduce industrywide fleet emissions by 20%.
■ Engages fleets on key sustainability initiatives to drive organizational change.
■ Industry thought-leader on sustainability trends and implementation.
Amy Blaine, Donlen's director of strategic consulting and sustainability, brings more than 20 years of experience building and managing complex consulting projects. Her sustainability work includes design of a greenhouse gas reporting process to track emissions from the fleet, building energy, and emergency power generation areas.
Blaine and the team of strategic consultants work closely with Donlen's clients to examine historical, behavioral, and fiscal trends that impact each major lifecycle cost, and recommend solutions to achieve operational efficiency. Utilizing leading-edge technology and extensive data analysis, Blaine helps fleets reduce operational costs and environmental impact.
Blaine holds an M.S. in environmental management and sustainability from IIT, an M.S. in statistics from Ohio State University, and a B.A. in statistics from the University of Michigan.
Douglas Bond, Transportation Services Manager, Alameda County, Calif.
■ Bond's department took an active role in providing transportation alternatives for employees.
■ Paperless shop for last two years.
■ Runs B-20 on county diesel vehicles, and uses re-recycled oil, antifreeze, and transmission fluid.
Fleet Stats: 1,012 units, 19% green.
Doug Bond has 19 years of fleet experience in both public and private agencies. Bond manages the Motor Vehicle Division, the Messenger Division, the Parking Division, and the Clean Commute Program which includes our shuttle bus operations. Bond's department has taken an active role in providing transportation alternatives for employees during their commutes as well as on the job.
He has also taken a lead role in promoting alternative fuel technologies both internally within the County's fleet as well as externally by organizing conferences and meetings with other local fleets. Under his leadership, the hybrid electric fleet has grown to 138 vehicles. This includes 127 hybrids, 2 plug-in electrics, and 9 all electric vehicles. He is running B-20 for the County's diesel vehicles, using recycled oil, antifreeze and transmission fluid. His alternative-vehicle fleet percentage is currently at 19% with more than 45% of the fleet that achieves more than 30 mpg. This last year, he added 200 GPS units and installed three new Invers motor pool systems. Doug's shops have been paperless for the past two and a half years after adding laptops for paperless work orders. Last year his department rolled out an online mode matching system that allows employees to link up with other employees to promoting carpooling and alternatives for employees to get to and from work throughout the day. This has been very successful with over 10% employee enrollment. Bond has been on the steering committee of the Bay Area EV Corridor, with the focus of partnering with local governments in the Bay Area to make it the "EV Capital of the US". This group has led into multiple grant projects in which he has secured money from the Federal, State, and local jurisdictions.
Many of the grants have been in partnership with other local governments. The largest of these is a grant of Federal funds that are administered through the County's Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Caltrans. Bond has taken the lead role in this $2.8 million grant to purchase and install 90 electric vehicle charging stations and add 90 electric vehicles to local government fleets. Doug currently serves as the President of the Public Fleet Supervisor's Association (PFSA) and is an active member of the East Bay Clean Cities Chapter.
Bill Burns, Operations Manager, City of Columbus, OH
■ Opened largest public access CNG fueling station in central Ohio.
■ Installed anti-idling and emissions-reduction devices on eligible City vehicles.
■ Board member of Green Truck Associations and Clean Fuels Ohio.
Fleet Stats: 2,987 units, 28% green.
Bill Burns has been in the fleet industry his entire career, spanning 28 years and multiple roles. In his current position, Burns has spearheaded significant sustainability achievements, including managing the number one Green Fleet in the country, opening the largest public access CNG fueling station in central Ohio, and installing anti-idling and emissions reduction devices on all eligible city diesel vehicles. His involvement in industry-wide sustainable fleet initiatives include his position as a board member for the Green Truck Association and Clean Fuels Ohio. Burns frequently speaks at conferences regarding the sustainable fleet practices he has pioneered over the years.
TJ Chung, CEO & President, Navman Wireless
■ Reduced fuel consumption and associated carbon emissions by nearly 34 million gallons for more than 150,000 vehicles in 10 countries in 2011.
■ Developed first fleet tracking solution to manage both on-road vehicles and off-road equipment with a common system.
In 2011, Navman Wireless reduced fuel consumption and associated carbon emissions by nearly 34 million gallons for over 150,000 corporate and construction vehicles in 10 countries with its advanced GPS-based fleet tracking system. That savings increases every time another vehicle is added to the company's install base, which has nearly tripled since 2007 under the leadership of CEO and President TJ Chung, according to the company.
The "greening" of these fleets is driven by the ability of the company's technology to identify sources of fuel waste such as idling, speeding and unauthorized vehicle use as well as improve dispatch and routing efficiencies by seeing where all vehicles are on real-time system maps.
Case in point: Provider Enterprises, a special needs transportation company with 178 vehicles, has reduced fuel usage 10% annually by using Navman Wireless' platform to:
• Send daily route changes and driving directions directly to the relevant driver's messaging terminal, eliminating unneeded stops, wrong turns and inefficient routing.
• Measure vehicle idling as a means of enforcing anti-idling policies.
• Route the closest appropriately equipped vehicle to meet the passenger's particular impairment.
• Identify unauthorized personal vehicle use that wastes fuel.
According to the company, innovations include development of the first fleet tracking solution that tracks and manages both on-road vehicles and off-road construction equipment with a common system. This makes it possible to drive fuel savings and operational efficiencies across the entire fleet – including on-road vehicles such as fuel trucks, flatbed equipment haulers and supervisors' cars that must be tracked.
Rob Donat, Founder & CEO, GPS Insight
■ Dedicated to fleet industry for eight years.
■ Helped Kennecott Utah Copper Mining receive 2008 Outstanding Achievement Award in Pollution Prevention.
■ For companies with a green initiative, GPS Insight monitors GHG emissions, increases fleet mpg, increases route efficiency, and eliminates unauthorized usage.
Glenn Ellis, VP, Marketing & Dealer operations, Hino Trucks
■ Led North American launch of Hino's sixth generation diesel-electric hybrid system for Class 5 COE.
■ Actively promotes Hino's Five Leaf Strategy: (1) Hybrid & Alt-Fuel Vehicles (2) EPA-2010 Emissions Regulations (3) Idling Reduction (4) Improving Driver Techniques (5) Green Fleet Management and Improved Route Efficiency.
Deb Frodl, Global Alternative Fuels Leader & Chief Strategy
Officer, GE Capital Fleet Services
■ Spent past seven years focusing on fleet sustainability products and services.
■ Instrumental in driving adoption of AFVs across fleet industry.
■ Launched GE's Vehicle Innovation Center to showcase AFV products to fleet industry.
Frodl has nine years of experience in the fleet industry, and she has spent the past seven years focusing on fleet sustainability products and services as part of GE's ecomagination initiative. She's been a pioneer in sustainable fleet transportation by driving adoption of AFVs across the industry. She's been a speaker at numerous key industry events and an expert source quoted in numerous media articles to promote AFV adoption. Frodl leads GE's global relationship with AFV OEMs and continues to play an important role in GE's partnership with the Department of Energy's National Clean Fleets and the Electrification Coalition. Frodl is also Vice Chairman of the EDTA - Electric Drive Transportation Association. In 2012, she launched GE's state-of-the-art Vehicle Innovation Center to showcase alternative fuel products for the fleet industry.
Art Hale, State Fleet Manager of Energy & Environmental Sustainability, State of Colorado
■ New title & job description due to growing importance and urgency of green fleet issues.
■ Goal to reduce GHG emissions by 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
■ Implemented official Environmental Preferable Purchasing program.
Fleet Stats: 6,000 units, 26% green.
Art Hale's Colorado State Fleet Manager title has been recently updated to Colorado State Fleet Manager of Energy & Environmental Sustainability. He created the new job description, and it was added to the state personnel system as a new job position in the state system during May 2012. The state approved the need to dedicate a priority of Hale's time and effort due to the growing importance and urgency of the Greening Fleet issues.
The position of State Fleet Manager was refocused in order to concentrate high level resources on the single most important state goal.
This position is the statewide authority for all energy and technology initiatives involving the state fleet and has the primary responsibility in the State for achieving statewide fleet energy and environmental sustainability objectives. The position initiates and oversees projects to either implement advanced vehicle technologies or to assess the feasibility of such technologies. The position is the statewide expert in fuel technologies and the characteristics, advantages and composition of the numerous alternative fuel options available now or as emerging technologies. The position takes the lead in developing partnerships with state agencies, local governments, trade groups, and other potential stakeholders to further the state's greening objectives. This position is responsible to identify and leverage the fleet business initiatives to increase opportunities for jobs and economic development in the state new energy economy. The position researches grant opportunities, and writes and submits grant applications in order to generate funds to offset the financial impacts of applying new technology R&D to the fleet. Identifies metrics and implements data tracking and reporting mechanisms to monitor progress toward the State's sustainability goals. This position develops training materials and reaches out to constituencies throughout the State through formal presentations and onsite training. This position leads or participates in critical meetings, conference calls, webinars, task forces, and trade organizations in order to influence the direction and commitment of key participants to achieving the State's goals. Works with the private and public sector to increase the infrastructure and expand the availability of biofuels, E85, CNG, BEV's, HHV's, PHEV's and other advanced vehicle technologies. Writes, plans and implements policies for the state concerning advanced vehicle technologies. Works closely with the Governor, and state energy offices, including the legislature, and various agency decision makers on the implementation of these policies. Responds to Executive, legislative, JBC, OSPB, and media inquiries as the state's expert and spokesperson for all issues concerning the State's fleet sustainability programs. This position is responsible to develop the Colorado State carbon management plan, and the Green House Gas reduction plan as they relate to state owned mobile sources.
This position serves as the leading state authority, in a very unique field (fuels engineering, emerging vehicle technologies, and environmental analysis) requiring a high level of technical expertise, that as part of a permanent assignment is critical to the success of both the department and the State. This position directly influences management decisions within the department, other state agencies, the Governor's Office, as well as other governmental entities and non government organizations. DPA and the State rely on this position to provide direction and council when establishing policy or developing programs that support the goals of the State's Fleet Energy & Environmental Sustainability initiatives. The position is understood to be the state expert, and guidance and advice are routinely sought from the position before making any critical decisions regarding the future direction of State or department fleet impacting energy initiatives.
Robert Hann, VP, Marketing, Go Airport Express
■ Driving force behind transition to a greener, cleaner fleet.
■ Converted one-third of total fleet to run on alternative-fuels.
■ Continued commitment to reducing GHG emissions and increase energy conservation.
Fleet Stats: 100 units, 60% green.
Believing a shared ride is a green ride, Robert Hann has been a driving force behind Continental Air Transport - GO Airport Express's transition to an even greener, cleaner fleet. GO Airport Express provides ride share services to both major airports in Chicago.
Within just one year, GO Airport Express has converted one-third of their total fleet to run on alternative fuels, comprised of 30 shuttle vans fueled by propane autogas, two shuttle vans running on compressed natural gas and 20 idle-reducing buses using a biodiesel blend. With a continued commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy conservation, GO Airport Express plans to convert the entire remainder of their fleet to alternative fuels within the next two years. And, with more than 1 million passengers annually using GO Airport Express transportation, corporate emission reductions have been substantial. For example, each one of their ROUSH CleanTech dedicated liquid propane autogas vans reduces their carbon footprint by 112,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year, according to the company.
Since his arrival in 2008, Hann has focused on corporate sustainability. His most recent effort includes arranging for propane autogas shuttles to drive Green Fleet Conference registrants to and from the airport — both to educate and to ensure green ride sharing among registrants.
Dave Head, Fleet Manager, County of Sonoma, Calif.
■ Dedicated to sustainability for 25 years.
■ Leader in promoting hybrid-electric vehicles and developing infrastructure.
■ Implemented improvements to make maintenance facilities "green."
Fleet Stats: 1,304 units, 19% green.
Dave Head has been dedicated to sustainability in the fleet management industry for 25 years. He has been a leader in promoting hybrid electric vehicles and developing the infrastructure necessary to grow this rapidly expanding market segment. His efforts were recognized in 2011 by bestowing the County of Sonoma the "Most EV Ready Community in the Bay Area" award. In addition, he has implemented facility improvements to make the maintenance facilities "green."
Head developed a plan and is the Project Manager for a County-Wide public EV charging network. He found the grant funds to offset the cost and presented the plan and funding elements to the 9 cities in the County and to the Sonoma County Airport resulting in a partnership with some of the cities and the County to build the network.
Chargers are active in the cities of Cotati and Sonoma, design work has been completed in the cities of Windsor and Rohnert Park, construction work is in process in the cities of Sebastopol and at Sonoma County Airport, and locations have been designated in the remaining cities with construction planned for Summer and Fall of 2012. The "Sonoma County Electric Trail" will be up and running by the end of 2012.Since February 2002 when the County bought its first hybrid, the hybrid and EV fleet has driven over 7.6 million miles and reduced fuel consumption by over 119,000 gallons. Currently the hybrids and EV's in the County of Sonoma fleet are averaging 120,000 miles driven per month and displacing 1,800 gallons of gasoline per month.
Dale Hill, Founder, Proterra, Inc.
■ Pioneer in clean transit with more than 40 years experience.
■ Founded Proterra in 2004 to design and manufacture advanced tech vehicles powered by clean, domestic fuels.
■ Founded TransTeq, Alumatech, and Tech-Weld.
A pioneer in clean transit, Hill has over 40 years' experience in transportation and engineering. He founded Proterra in 2004 to design and manufacture advanced technology vehicles powered by clean, domestic fuels. Prior to Proterra, Hill founded TransTeq, which designed and manufactured the EcoMark Alternative-Fueled Hybrid-Electric Vehicle for Denver RTD. In 12 years of revenue service, these buses have carried over 220 million passengers. A career entrepreneur, Hill founded Alumatech, which won the 1992 trucking industry award for "Most Significant Contribution to the Trucking Industry for Non Powered Vehicles" and Tech-Weld, a Houston-based welding supply company. Hill holds three patents and has published several papers.
Gregg Hodgdon, CAFM, Dir. of Fleet ops., E.A. Sween Co.
■ Focused on sustainability for past three of his 31 years of fleet
■ Downsized vehicles to four-cylinders for 20% overall fuel-economy improvement.
■ Plans to use NPR ECO-MAX trucks to emit 4.2-tons less CO2.
Fleet Stats: 335 units, 18% green.
With 31 years fleet experience, Hodgdon has focused on sustainability for the past three. The cars he's downsized to four-cylinder models show a 20 percent overall improvement in fuel economy. The four-cylinder diesel trucks demonstrate nearly 50 percent better fuel economy compared to the rest of the fleet, emitting approximately 700 lbs. less CO2 per month. Over 12 months, his innovative NPR ECO-MAX trucks will emit 4.2-tons less CO2. Hodgdon has won the 2012 NAFA Sustainable Fleet Award, he's co-hosted a NAFA event at the GE Innovation Center, and he is a scheduled speaker at the 2012 Green Fleet Conference.
Tom Hopkins, Dept. Head of Central Warehouse & Logistics, Wright & Filippis, Inc.
■ Transitioned nearly 30% of fleet to run on propane autogas.
■ Reduced fuel consumption by 48,000 gallons per year, achieving an annual reduction of 931,200-lbs. of CO2.
■ Aims to continue alt-fuel vehicle deployment.
Fleet Stats: 166 units, 30% green.
Robert Howdyshell, Dir., Purchasing & Fleet Services, County of Riverside, Calif.
■ Deployed alt-fuel vehicles including methanol, NEV, CNG, hybrid, diesel-hybrid, and flex-fuel.
■ Active in policy decisions, such as 25-mpg minimum requirement.
■ Implemented Green Purchasing policy.
Fleet Stats: 4,305 units, 39% green.
Ernie Ivy, Fleet Mgmt. Div.Director, City & County of Denver
■ Leader in "greening" Denver's fleet for 21 years.
■ Implemented widespread use of alternative fuels, emissions controls, and GPS.
■ Guided development of new LEED Gold repair facility.
Fleet Stats: 2,000 units, 53% green.
Ernie Ivy has been a leader in "greening" Denver's Fleet for 21 years. Beginning with propane vehicles in the 1990's, to the largest municipal fleet of hybrids in 2001. He has implemented widespread use of alternative fuels, emissions control technology and GPS. Ivy also guided the construction of a new LEED Gold repair facility. Ernie's current endeavors include building a CNG infrastructure complex to fuel large refuse and class 8 trucks. At the completion of this project CNG will replace 1.1 million gallons of diesel. He also is completing a new utilization study to enhance central pooling including heavy equipment which will reduce unnecessary equipment usage. Ivy currently is responsible for over 2,000 pieces of equipment which is 53% alternative fueled.
Johnson & Johnson
Louise Davis-Lopez, Julie Pedini, Brian Snow
■ More than 40 years of combined fleet experience.
■ Established five-year global CO2-reduction goal of 20% by 2015.
■ Recognized as industry leader in hybrid inventory.
Fleet Stats: 7,619 units, 49% green.
With over 40 years of combined Fleet Management experience, Johnson & Johnson's Global Fleet Management team has always emphasized the environment through their accomplishments, innovations, and industry involvement. The team established a five year global CO2 reduction goal of 20% by 2015 which is externally published in J&J's annual Sustainability Report. Their global CO2 reduction strategy enabled Johnson & Johnson to meet its goal of a 4% emissions reduction in 2011 spanning over 25,000 vehicles. The team drives environmental performance through the creation of standardized qualification processes for AWD and Cargo vehicles. Under their guidance, J&J has been recognized as an industry leader in hybrid vehicle inventory. The team also actively participates in sustainability initiatives through their involvement in supplier customer advisory boards.
George Kilroy, President & CEO, PHH Arval
■ Created industry's first environmental program, PHH GreenFleet.
■ Goal to reduce companywide GHG emissions 12% by 2014.
■ Continued education and awareness of alternative-fuel vehicles.
■ PHH fleet HQ earned LEED Certification and GE's 2012
Energy Star rating.
Ronald Latko, Director of Transportation & Fleet Mgmt., Mesa USD #4, Ariz.
■ Leading Mesa USD to a greener fleet since 2008.
■ Reduced GHG emissions by 802 tons, or 40%, and saved more than $91,000 with propane autogas.
■ Named "Clean Air Champion" by Arizona.
Fleet Stats: 507 units, 5.3% green.
Leading Mesa Unified School District to a greener fleet since 2008, Ronald Latko's accomplishments include reducing the school district's greenhouse gas emissions by 802 tons, or 40 percent, and saving more than $91,000 by fueling with propane autogas. Mesa operates 27 school buses and one pickup truck, each using a ROUSH CleanTech dedicated liquid propane autogas fuel system. Mesa, the largest school bus fleet in Arizona, currently runs 5.3 percent of its fleet on autogas. Latko aims to convert his entire fleet — 507 yellow buses and 600 "white" fleet vehicles — to run on autogas.
Named "Clean Air Champion" by the State of Arizona, Latko has presented the benefits of propane autogas to the Arizona Association of School Business Officials and the Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition. He is an outspoken advocate for reducing fuel costs and emissions using clean, domestic alternative fuels and has been quoted in news articles in USA Today, various Phoenix newspapers, and on local television stories. Mesa's alternative fuel success story landed the cover of School Bus Fleet's March 2012 issue.
Latko is a member of Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition, and a member / past board member of Transportation Administrators of Arizona.
Keith Leech, Fleet Manager, City of Sacramento
■ More than 50 Level II chargers for free public charging and free parking.
■ Significantly reduced petroleum consumption and associated GHG from 2010 to 2012.
■ Chairman of Greater Sacramento Regional Clean Air Coalition.
Fleet Stats: 2,075 units, 17% green.
Under the leadership of Keith Leech as Fleet Manager for the City of Sacramento, the following accomplishments were achieved during the past year:
• Over 50 level II chargers to provide for free public charging and free parking at five downtown City garages.
• GPS telematics for 600 vehicles significantly reduced idle time and fuel consumption.
• 80% LNG Solid Waste Fleet
• Significantly reduced petroleum consumption and associated GHG from 2010 to 2012:
• LNG fuel consumption increased 112%.
• Consumed 9% less gas
• Consumed 585,121 less gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel in 2012 compared to 2009.
• Greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 3,373 metric tons from 2009 to 2012, which represents a 15.4% decrease.
Leech is also the Chairman of the Greater Sacramento Regional Clean Air Coalition (Clean Cities).
Charlie Mahoney, National Sales Mgr., SCT Fleet Solutions
■ Since 2008, worked to create customized powertrain calibrations to reduce fleet operation costs through reduced fuel spend.
■ Customers have been able to reduce carbon emissions by 9,039 tons of CO2 covering 16,000+ fleet vehicles.
■ Transfers auto racing knowledge and tech to target key fuel savings.
Drew McClelland, Corp. Sales Mgr., BMW North America, LLC
■ Worked to place 15 BMW ActiveEs into U.S. fleets in 2012.
■ Ensures Corporate Fleet has voice in regards to production and allocation of alt-fuel vehicles.
■ Assists customers to identify products that meet green fleet requirements.
■ Aligns fleet strategies with BMW's sustainability goals and vision.
Allen Mitchell, CPFP, Chief, Equip. Bureau, Arlington County, Va.
■ Early adopter of electric vehicles and infrastructure and alt-fuel vehicle use.
■ First home-grown biodiesel processing facility with complete supply chains.
■ First medium-duty hybrid-electric field service truck using biodiesel.
Fleet Stats: 1,160 units, 85% green.
Craig Neuber, Dir., Strategic Consulting, ARI
■ Conducted roll-out of ARI's Environmental Management System.
■ Directs internal sustainability, waste mitigation, and energy efficiency efforts.
■ Manages ARI EnviroFleet program, which offers sustainable consulting
efforts in North America.
Sustainability efforts have filled the last two of Craig Neuber's 13 years in the fleet industry. Neuber conducted the rollout of ARI's Environmental Management System and now directs internal sustainability, waste mitigation, and energy efficiency efforts. Neuber manages the ARI EnviroFleet program, which offers sustainable consulting efforts throughout North America. In his upcoming appearance as a panelist at the 2012 Green Fleet Conference, he'll discuss ARI's role in the widely praised E. A. Sween case study for successful fleet sustainability implementation across multiple suppliers. Neuber is the ARI representative for partnerships with Smartway Transport, CALSTART, and multiple Clean Cities coalitions.
Tracy Oschsner, Asst. Ops. Services Director, City of Fort Collins, Colo.
■ Proponent of alt-fuels since 1994.
■ Constructed $750,000 CNG fast-fuel facility and utilizes B-20 biodiesel in every diesel vehicle.
■ Implemented green purchasing policies and utilizes recycled fluids.
Fleet Stats: 1,928 units, 30% green.
Oschner has been a proponent of alternative fuels since 1994 when he converted over 20 vans to propane autogas to be used for vanpooling. Since then, he has been instrumental in many innovative projects. Oschner has been a certified equipment manager since 1994, is a LEED accredited professional, a certified facility manager (CFM), a facility management professional (FMP), and has completed a Green Building
Certificate Program at Colorado State University. He currently holds the office of the Colorado Chapter Chair, National Executive CHari, and past Colorado Chapter Vice Chair all for the Rocky Mountain Fleet Management Association (RMFMA). He is a founding member, past board member, and current treasurer of the Northern Colorado Clean Cities Coalition. He regularly speaks at local and national conferences about the City of Fort Collins' sustainability accomplishments and gives tours to promote Fort Collins' efforts.
Mike Payette, Dir., Fleet Equipment, Staples, Inc.
■ Limited top speed of 1,800 trucks to 60 mph, saving 8,000 tons of CO2 per year.
■ Deployed 53 all-electric delivery trucks displacing 94,000 gallons of fuel and 1,000 tons of CO2.
■ Received two EPA awards for fleet environmental initiatives.
Fleet Stats: 1,740 units, 100% green
Gayle Pratt, Dir., Global Fleet, Ecolab
■ Reduced GHG emissions by 22% since 2006, despite an increase in total miles driven.
■ Incorporated sustainability principles into revised fleet policy.
■ Implemented forecasting tools for optimizing fleet operations.
Fleet Stats: 8,141 units, 20% green.
James Reinish, Mgr., Central Automotive Division, Port Authority of NY & NJ
■ Made sustainability during times of shrinking budgets a major priority.
■ Led fleet to become No. 8 Government Green Fleet.
■ Oversaw a 15% fleet size reduction.
Fleet Stats: 2,000 units, 80% green.
Having spent 30 years in fleet and budget management, most recently as the Port Authority's fleet manager, Jim Reinish has made sustainability amidst shrinking budgets a major priority. Responsible for 2000 vehicles (valued at $263,000,000), Reinish has led his fleet—now over 80% green with fully realized fueling infrastructure, including bio-diesel, CNG, ethanol and hydrogen—to become the country's No. 8 government green fleet. He has also overseen a 15% fleet size reduction, resulting in a 20-year low. Reinish actively supports Clean Cities coalition efforts to improve regional sustainability and is vice chair of the New York/InterCounty chapter of NAFA.
Tony Saxon, CAFM, Fleet Support Supervisor, Georgia Power Co.
■ One of the earliest pioneers of biodiesel and ethanol use in state.
■ To date, has used more than 6 million gallons of B-20 and more than 390,000 gallons of E-85.
■ Remains dedicated to use of alt fuels.
Fleet Stats: 3,139 units, 28% green.
Devin Scott, Founder & CEO, Energy Xtreme, LLC
■ Focused on developing sustainable clean technology solutions that deliver conservation.
■ Developed Independence Package, a mobile power idle-reduction system.
■ Began career as attorney specializing in environmental law.
Devin Scott co-founded Austin-based Energy Xtreme in 2007. Scott is clear in his mission, he is focused on developing sustainable clean technology energy solutions that deliver conservation through innovation. The development and installation of the Independence Package, a mobile power idle reduction system, has saved Energy Xtreme customers thousands of dollars and gallons of fuel, reducing the production of emissions. Devin began his career as an attorney specializing in environmental law. It was as an environmental attorney, that his drive developed to provide meaningful contributions and seek solutions for our impending climate change. Scott pioneered a fleet solution that eliminates the need to idle, is self-sustainable and provides mobile electric power without having to engage the engine.
Maraskeshia Smith, Public Services Deputy Director, City of Cincinnati
■ Helping the City achieve sustainable goals set forth in mayor's Green Cincinnati plan for past three years.
■ Aggressively pursued alt-fuel vehicles to reduce dependence on foreign oil.
■ Member of Clean Fuels Ohio.
Fleet Stats: 1,700 units, 24% green.
Under Maraskeshia Smith's direction, the City of Cincinnati is on track to greener technologies and ahead of schedule for alternative fuel vehicle conversions.
For three years, Smith has been helping the City of Cincinnati achieve sustainable goals set forth in the mayor's Green Cincinnati Plan. Smith and city officials have aggressively pursued alternative vehicles as a way to reduce the municipality's dependence on foreign oil while cleaning up the city's air. Their aggressive, proactive approach has resulted in 425 vehicles — accounting for 25 percent of their total fleet — running on alternative fuels. Smith's fleet has a much smaller footprint with 354 ethanol, 34 propane autogas and 34 hybrid and three electric vehicles. They also replaced gasoline golf carts with electric motorcars and have ordered mowing equipment fueled by propane. Smith and her colleagues have significantly reduced air pollution by installing filters on refuse trucks, putting bypass oil filters on police vehicles, and implementing a vehicle and equipment idle reduction policy. The city's future plans include reducing fleet size, improving driver behavior and purchasing more alternative fuel vehicles.
For their propane autogas vehicles specifically, the City of Cincinnati has reduced its smog producing hydrocarbons by 60 to 70 percent, decreased its toxin and carcinogen emissions by up to 96 percent, cut its nitrogen oxide emissions by about 20 percent and its carbon monoxide emissions by up to 60 percent. Smith has incurred nearly 10,500 fewer gallons of gasoline per year by switching to propane autogas alone and is saving the city about 40,000 pounds per year in carbon dioxide emissions with ROUSH CleanTech dedicated liquid propane autogas fuel systems in her fleet.
Smith says, "During my research on best practices for a greener fleet, I learned ways to improve vehicle efficiencies, optimize routes, and reduce fuel consumption, mileage and exhaust emissions. The efforts are paying off."
A member of Clean Fuels Ohio, Smith is also involved with American Public Works Association, Solid Waste Association of North America, Municipal Waste Management Association, and is the president of the Cincinnati chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.
Mark Swackhammer,CAFM, Sr. Mgr., Fleet Ops., Houston Independent School District
■ Received $2.5 million in grants for 27 propane-autogas school buses and 18,000 gallon fueling station.
■ Implemented eco-driving program.
■ Installed 1,893 GPS units.
Fleet Stats: 2,276 units, 56% green.
Mark Swackhamer has been in the fleet environment for 30 years working in the utility industry and school transportation. Over the last five years, he has implemented biodiesel, propane, hybrids and eco driving into the fleet. Among his notable "green" achievements:
• $2.5 million in grants for 27 propane powered school buses and an 18,000 gallon fueling station. We have on order 20 propane vans and ready to order an additional 58 propane buses. Also, all diesel units run bio diesel offsetting our petroleum usage by 105,000 gallons yearly.
• 1893 GPS units are installed on the fleet. We track idle time, route efficiencies, ontime performance and driver behavior using a "hard braking" report. Using the GPS system interfaced with routing and scheduling software we reduced our routes by 44 while increasing ridership by over 1,500 students.
• An Eco Driver training program for school bus drivers is now being implemented and their improvements monitored using MPG and "hard braking" reports from both our GPS fuel management systems. Targeting a 5% increase in MPG with this program.
• Top 100 government fleets 2011 & 2012.
• Top 40 government green fleets 2011.
Swackhamer has presented at many school bus conferences and seminars (Texas Association of Pupil Transportation, STN Expo, Best 100 Fleet Seminar and Texas Association of School Business Officials) on the use of alternative fuels and GPS for identifying excessive idling and inefficient routing.
Sam Swearngin, Fleet Administrator, Kansas City, Mo.
■ Successfully installed five CNG fueling stations and implemented a biodiesel program.
■ Championed green technologies, including dedicated electric and hybrid-electric vehicles.
■ Member Kansas City Clean Cities Coalition.
Fleet Stats: 2,276 units, 15% green
As Fleet administrator for the City of Kansas City Missouri, Sam Swearngin has successfully installed five Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling stations, implemented a bio-diesel program, through advanced technologies eliminated gas powered ancillary equipment, and has championed other Green technologies including dedicated electric and hybrid electric vehicles.
Swearngin's affiliations include the follow organizations some dating back as far as 1988, all are dedicated to the proliferation of Green technologies, including the Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition; Longview Community College, Automotive Technology Advisory Committee; Mid-America Regional Council; Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality Committee City of Kansas City/Jackson County Green Purchasing Co-operative Taskforce.
Brian Tabel, Retail Marketing Mgr., Isuzu Commercial Truck of America
■ Reach/ECO-MAX has a highly fuel-efficient diesel engine without the added cost of hybrid systems.
■ Gas N-Series features a CNG/LPG compatible engine to seek alternative fuels.
■ The Isuzu lineup has a low cost of ownership to bring down operating
costs for the end user.
Rodney Walker, Technical Dir., Oil Re-refining, Safetykleen
■ Involved in re-refining engine oil to help fleets be "green" for 13 years.
■ Works to protect the environment and engines by demonstrating use of re-refined oil to reduce GHG emissions.
■ Champion of increased use of re-refined engine oil by government, commercial, and private fleets.
For 13 years, Rodney Walker has been involved in re-refining engine oil to help fleets be greener.He has shown fleets how using re-refined oil can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Companies who operate fleets can significantly reduce its carbon footprint by using re-refined oil, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 7,500 metric tons for every million gallons of traditional oil made from virgin crude that is displaced. In addition, Walker has been a champion to increase the use of re-refined engine oil by government, commercial and private fleets to protect engines and the environment.
Walker is involved with several lubricants industry groups that are working on new solutions and standards that will help reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency for fleets, while protecting engines, including:
New Category Development Team
Team comprised primarily of Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) and API along with American Chemical Council (ACC). This team is developing PC-11 - New API diesel engine oil category.
He serves as Chair of Precision Matrix Task Force which is developing precision model for PC 11.
• Diesel Engine Oil Advisory Panel (DEOAP)
• API Lube Group Member
• API Base Oil Interchange/Viscosity Grade Read Across (BOI/VGRA) Member
• API Auto Oil Advisory Panel - New API engine oil category, GF-6 development (gasoline engines)
• Chair of API Emerging Base Oil Technology Work Group which is working on review of new technologies and defining subsequent API base oil group these technologies may be placed.
Bret Watson, CAFM, National Fleet Mgr., Sprint Nextel Corp.
■ Implemented innovative approach by using SmartWay certified vehicles to meet sustainability and financial targets.
■ Downsized to 4-cyl. engines, resulting in 12% reduced emissions and $2.1 million in lower vehicle costs.
Fleet Stats: 1,784 units, 60% green.
Sprint has implemented an innovative approach to greening their fleet by using Smart Way Certified vehicles to meet strategic sustainability and financial targets. Two years after implementation, 60% of Sprint's fleet is Smart Way Certified.
In MY-2010, Sprint began downsizing to four-cylinder vehicles which resulted in 12% lower emissions and $2.1 million in lower vehicle costs. Sprint has found that the new four cylinder engine performance is very comparable to the old six-cylinder engine.
Sprint's strategy is to increase the use of four-cylinder sedans, eliminate AWDs, and use small SUV's only as an exception vehicle.
Walter West, Dep. Commissioner, Fleet Ops., City of Chicago
■ Expanded car sharing and pooling operations, reducing size of light-duty fleet.
■ Increased usage of E-85 and CNG through the purchase of new vehicles and expansion of fueling capabilities.
■ Implemented a formalized spill prevention plan and personal protective equipment policy.
Fleet Stats: 7,147 units, 29% green.
Jim Wright, President & CEO, Fleet Counselor Services
■ Developed clean fleet certification program, designed to allow even the smallest agency with very limited funding to be recognized for their achievements.
■ The certification program has requirements propagating to the local private sector for a positive effect on clean air in local communities.
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(TriceEdneyWire.com/GIN) – The government of South Sudan and the United Nations are reporting that some 100,000 people are facing starvation, with a million more on the brink of famine.
The announcement comes as international aid agencies are overwhelmed by catastrophes unfolding in four countries.
Continue reading this article on our sister publication's website.


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Magic Dinner and Show Friday
Magic dinner and show Friday If you are having a casino night or night club event, Cocktail/Walk Around Magic is a highly interactive performance and is the perfect choice. Edllusion is a renowned Nightrclub Magician with years of experinece. It's a style of entertainment that focuses on fun interactions, big laughs and amazing magic. It creates a level of fun &…Read more
MAGIC LUNCH AND SHOW FRIDAY Restaurants, Corporate, or Private Parties are enhanced by the close-up magic of Edllusion. Guests participate in witnessing miracles performed right at their table with everyday objects. Edllusion incorporates unique presentation and remarkable sleight of hand in his Close Up Magic to make your guests become part of the illusion, rather than just…Read more
DINNER AND SHOW SATURDAYS Having a Wedding or up coming Gala? Then Cocktail/Walk Around Magic is a perfect way to make this special night something to remember. With all the audience participation and original illusions, this performance allows for Outstanding, Classy entertainment with a splash of comedy for all guests. Making Cocktail/Walk Around Magic a must for…Read more


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Every space needs a dose of personality as without it your room will look plain, boring and too simple. There are many ways to add personal touches to any room, from handmade furniture and artworks to various items or whole collections on display. Today's roundup is dedicated to the coolest ways to infuse personality in your home, and I'm sure you'll find something proper here.
Highlight Your Hobbies
The easiest and most obvious way to add personality to your space is to highlight your hobbies and interests. If you are interested in music and have guitars, for example, you can hang them on display to make the space more personalized. Are you a bookworm? Cover the whole wall with bookshelves, or maybe several walls, make them colorful and interesting. If you are a passionate collector, why not integrated your collection into the interior decor to make it special? Baskets, macrame hangings, various figures and statuettes are a great accent for any space, just incorporate them right.
Play With Patterns
Add patterns and prints to your space to make it more interesting. If it's a bathroom or a kitchen, you may add prints and patterns with bold tiles – on a backsplash, floor, walls or anywhere you want. In the bathroom you may clad a wall with bold and patterned tiles to make it an accent one. Choose wallpaper with a 3D effect, wall murals and much more to make your space really interesting. Actually, any kind of an accent wall would do. You may use this idea in any space, from a dining room to a kid's one, and try various kinds of patterns and colors, find what you like!
Rock A Gallery Wall
Gallery walls are extremely popular now, it's a great way to add personality, interest and a cool feel to the space. These are first of all family photo gallery walls – what can be more personalized than that? You may also add signs, artworks, pictures, handmade art and even mirrors to make the gallery wall super special. Gallery walls are suitable for any room: dining, living, kids' rooms and bedrooms, entryways and kitchens even. You can arrange them with matching or mismatching frames, attach the pieces to the wall in various ways – regular or irregular, or just put them on ledges, which allows to change the artworks and change their place on the ledges.


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Edinburgh Festival Summer 2018
Thank you Edinburgh for another wonderful August.
Working in hospitality in Edinburgh in August is one of the joys of my job. The paperwork gets parked and I get to be a waitress at the pizzeria (we may no longer sell pizza but you get the sentiment). I'm on service talking to our guests and serving them the delicious food that our hard working and passionate team cook fresh every time.
Not only do you meet so many new friends we have the opportunity to meet old friends too.
I've spend 24 of the last 28 days working at The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant. I've no idea how many miles I've done but we are considering offering the first "weight loss Fringe show" next year. 2 hour shift at TSC a day and you're guaranteed to lose a few pounds. However if you're tempted by the chicken, Edinburgh Bacon and Isle of Mull butterie then maybe the pounds will be spent not lost. A highlight of this summer's menu for sure.
Below is a snapshot of key items sold over August:
3290 scones
12155 coffees
385 Mac & Cheese
1017 Fish & Chips
1200 shortbread a day to be served with each hot drink
100 liters of soup
We had four kitchen garden deliveries a week with at least 300 edible flowers per delivery and 1000 blocks of Graham's Dairy unsalted butter a week!
No moaning we're tired here, just relieved to be busy and delighted to receive all the wonderful feedback from so many of our guests.
I meet so many guests (and celebrities) who have their annual pilgrimage to the Fringe or the Festival. Largely the customer profiles don't overlap. They have specific tastes and the city is catering to them within each person's chosen genre. Fringe tends not to overlap with Festival. Many of our customers have been visiting us for years. It's really such a lovely happy time when we are able to welcome faces that we've seen growing older gracefully, just a little, year after year.
This summer's Scottish National Gallery Blockbuster "Rembrandt | Britain's Discovery of the Master" has brought rave reviews from the press and from the visiting public. If you've not visited yet, never fear, unlike the other summer attractions you have until October to soak up a classic bout of glorious culture, and lunch at The Scottish Cafe too of course. Truly world class art under the roof of one of the best gallery spaces in the country in the beautiful rooms of the Royal Scottish Academy. It's incredible that this is on our doorstep and an equally great five star, free, visitor experience with even more beautiful paintings is just across the way at the National.
For three nights a week we've been hosting 150 guests for dinner and then escorting them all the way up Ramsay Lane to Edinburgh's very own Royal Military Tattoo with two fabulously talented Pipers. The guests have traveled from all over the world for this once in a lifetime (and on many occasions several lifetimes) experience. Guests from Japan, China, Zimbabwe, America, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland the list covers the globe, come for 100 minutes of the greatest show on earth in most of the guests opinion. Each year I see the performance I have to agree given the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and 1200 performers playing on the esplanade. I love it.
Victor has been hosting with the team at Cannonball a similar array of guests every night of the Tattoo, so if you've been into Contini George Street and you've not seen him, he's been on duty on Castlehill with an equally international crowd.
The Fringe is bringing more shows to the city that ever before. And provides the backbone of our guests at George Street along with equal quantities of Edinburgh Book Festival goers who have also been breaking all records.
We are so grateful to the Fringe as we know their work over the years has allowed our business to grow to where we are today as the cream of the summer is what allows us to invest for the future.
I'm only sorry that the weather wasn't better with our Edinburgh Gin Bothy on the Mound slightly quieter given the severe lack of sunshine in August. But the gin was delicious so everyone was happy.
International Festival, as always hits the highlights, bringing moments you'll talk about for years to come like Akram Khan's Xenos. (if you don't know what I am talking about, have a look here!)
The saying don't let the facts get in the way of a good story come to mind when I read all the negative press surrounding our beautiful city in August.
Over tourism and overcrowding.
Who remembers when August was a whole month of festivals. The Fringe and the Tattoo would start later than the International Festival and the Book Festival was snuggled in the middle. Whose bright idea was it to jam them all together into the same three week period?
This year more than ever we found it difficult to mobilise. The first day or two was tough. We had a younger team (well to tell you the truth our team are younger every year so that's no surprise as we get older) so our senior team raised their game and worked harder and longer to support. We've done a great job but with so many other pop ups and other venues soaking up the temporary team that is available for short term summer work the short sharp three week bust made it harder than in need be. If we could go back to the festivals spread throughout August and perhaps even into July as the National Gallery's summer blockbuster does it would make the city feel more relaxed and more enjoyable for the people visiting and the people living here.
On the last night we hosted the Virgin Money Fireworks Party. What an amazing end to a wonderful season. No other city offers what we have. Don't knock such a unique and great thing as our Festivals. Cherish it.
As locals we have to celebrate and support wherever we can. Let's stop the moaning and appreciate that a few weeks in August feeds the majority of the cities hospitality sector for many the cold months in the winter and raises our profile to an international audience that will keep visiting year after year if we're here to look after and welcome them. But also brings all these world class performers, shows, exhibitions and people to our beautiful city and when they head home only have wonderful things to say about their stay.
When I'm on holiday I'm very proud to say I'm from Edinburgh and why not come and visit our wonderful international city. It's amazing every month of the year but I'm already looking forward to August 2019.
PS a very special thank you also to all our suppliers who did a marvelous job delivering the huge volumes of fresh stock we required not only once but sometimes twice a day.
Thank you also to our wonderful team. Victor and I often get the glory but 140 boys and girls have works very hard, kept smiling along with so many of our other independent restaurants around the city.
Well done to all.
Carina Contini
(Photo is borrowed from EIF and is by Dave Stewart)


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In the Craftswomen's Workshop.
She is smoothly cutting into the black rubber
with a very sharp #22 blade scalpel.
She is cutting the channels and gates
through which the molten metal will pass
in the centrifugal casting process.
This is a video of the craftwoman in her workshop;
this is how she makes the organic rubber molds
for the beautiful pieces displayed here in the blog.
Midnight Struck Us
from Joaquín Sabina
Performed by Cuerdas de Taxco
If you have something good to say, we love to have your comments about our work.
This is the button to press
if you want to know more about our stone mosaic jewelry
to have this very beautiful jewelry for your own,
or as a gift, or if you are a re-seller.


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When you're in the market for a quick and easy dinner, it's impossible to go wrong with Shrimp and Grits. I know for a fact this version took a little less than 20 minutes from start to finish although I'd best fess up and admit I had some help in the kitchen.
While I lined up the ingredients and got the grits on, Big Guy cleaned the shrimp and sliced the green onions for a garnish. After that, it all came together very quickly - lovely creamy cheesy grits with a touch of heat from pepperjack cheese all smothered in tender shrimp with sauteed onions and hot little pearl tomato bombs that explode with all manner of great flavor. Of course the hot pepper sauce and spicy red pepper flakes are just the icing on the cake so to speak.
While we've had the pleasure of enjoying other versions of the dish in the past, this one from Cooking Light is every bit as good.
Other versions on this site...
With Red Eye Gravy With Andouille With Creamy Pepper Sauce
Quick 'N Easy Shrimp and Grits (adapted from Cooking Light)
3 cups milk
1 cup water
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 teaspoon of salt, plus 1/4 teaspoon more
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup quick cooking grits
1/2 cup cubed pepperjack cheese
4 slices bacon, diced
1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp (I used 16-20's)
1 cup thinly sliced onion
2 cups grape tomatoes
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or less)
1/4 cup slivered green onions for garnish
In a medium saucepan, heat milk, water, butter, salt and pepper over medium high heat until simmering. Whisk in grits, adding gradually and whisking constantly. Reduce heat to medium low and cook until thick – about 4 minutes. Stir often to prevent sticking. Take pot off the heat and whisk in cheese. Add remaining quarter teaspoon of salt. Cover pot and keep warm until needed.
In a large sauté pan, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from the pan, leaving drippings. Add shrimp and cook until firm and pink – about 2 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside with bacon. Add sliced onion and sauté for 1 minute. Stir in grape tomatoes, pepper sauce and pepper flakes and sauté for another minute. Add shrimp and bacon back to the pan and cook until shrimp are heated. Serve over grits and garnish with green onions. Makes 4 servings.
A year ago - Chicken Roasted In Hard Cider
Two years ago - Holiday Ideas for Turkey Phobics
Three years ago - Lemon Chicken Wings


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William Jagoe
Born: April 24,1950
Died: October 9,2015
Joined TCC Sept. 1980
Section: Baritone
A Turtle's Tribute:
William L. (Bill) Jagoe, Jr., 65, joined the ultimate chorus on October 9, 2015. Born on April 24, 1950, Bill worked in the insurance industry in Connecticut, Texas and Maryland for many years before retiring in Florida.
He joined the Turtle Creek Chorale in its infancy and remained an active member until he made a career move out of state. In Florida he was active with an HIV/AIDS organization, serving on the board of directors. He loved The University of Florida Gators, talking politics, movies,musicals, cooking, Key West where he celebrated his 50th and 65th birthdays, commemorated with a tattoo just months before his death and a little fur ball of a Sheltie named Gracie.
Bill was preceded in death by his sister Cathy Jagoe Collins in 2012 and his father William L. Jagoe, Sr. in 2014.
He is survived by his mother Claire Jagoe of Lake City, Florida, nephew Brian Anderson of Seminole, Florida, aunt Arlene O. Brien of Seminole, Florida and brother-in-law Jim Collins of Live Oak, Florida. His beloved, Gracie, will live out her life frolicking on Jim's farm where Bill's ashes were scattered. Sing loud so we can hear you dear Bill!
A Turtle's History
He joined the TCC in Sept. 1980 (the first full season)
His first performance was Turtle Creek Chorale in Concert in Dec. 1980.
His last performance was The Award Winning Turtle Creek Chorale in Concert in April 1982.


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We ate breakfast at the hotel opting for oatmeal and fresh fruit rather than the ham and cheesy scrambled eggs. The fatty food probably accounts for the area of Hazard and Perry Counties having one of the worst life expectancy rates in America. Kentucky ranks in 45 out of 50 states and the town of Hazard is even worse than the Kentucky average.
The morning air was a cold temperature of 26o F. as we left Hazard. The hillside and trees were covered with kudzu as well as a school bus on our drive to Breathitt County.
As we made our way north we ran into smoky air from wildfires in the area. The smoke was thick enough that we can smell it in the car with the windows closed as we moved along state route 15N through the hills.
Layers of exposed rock sheered on both sides of the highway rise at least 100 feet. Rock is why we are here; to see Natural Bridge State Park. The park was founded as a private tourist attraction in 1895. It is still cold at 23 degrees as we began our hike on the original trail to see the natural bridge, but with the steep ascent up uneven steps we didn't notice, and we followed the path up hill to reach the bridge.
The trail ends under the bridge but a narrow passage called Fat Man's Squeeze and some stairs lead to the top of the natural bridge. The view from on top of the natural bridge was marvelous. It looked as if their was a laser beam of light shooting outward into the air from the cliff in front of us over the valley of autumn colored trees. I believe it was a layer of thin fog hovering in air; in any case, it looked really awesome.
We climbed down onto the same trail, and back through the Fat Man's Squeeze again.
Leaving the Natural Bridge Park, we headed north on Kentucky Highway 77, reaching Nada Tunnel, a 900-foot long tunnel that was formerly a railway tunnel.
Since the tunnel is a single lane you must honked first before entering to alert anyone on the opposite end. The tunnel was originally 12 feet in height but when the first train load of logs became stuck and had to be blasted free, the tunnel's height was increased to 13 feet.
After passing through Morehead we made our way to the town of Olive Hill to see Carter's Caves. Unfortunately we arrived at a time that the next tour was hours away. Deciding not to wait, we went for a brief walk on the trail that allowed us to explore the cave park area on our own. The half-mile loop trail from the visitor center led us into a great open cave.
The cave had a small round opening at its roof, jagged walls of stone with niches and a small stream that flowed among the layers rocky floor surface. We finished our walk and promised to visit again but for now we headed home to end our latest advenutre.


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African free-for-all?
Attractive investment destinations remain repressive
Resource-rich countries attract more investment, but are more likely to be politically repressed, and thus unstable.
Over the past 30 years levels of political freedom in Sub-Saharan Africa have increased substantially. In 1977 no less than 23 Sub-Saharan states—57% of the total—were deemed to be "not free", while 16 (36%) were "partly free" and just three were free. Now, according to the annual classifications undertaken by US-based think-tank Freedom House, 11 states are free and 22 partly free, while 15 remain not free. Freedom House defines a free country as one where "there is broad scope for open political competition, a climate of respect for civil liberties, significant independent civic life and independent media". A partly free state is one in which there is "limited respect for political rights and civil liberties". Such partly free states frequently suffer from endemic corruption, weak rule of law and ethnic or religious strife; equally, they often feature a single political party "that enjoys dominance despite a façade of limited pluralism". In un-free countries basic political rights do not exist while basic civil liberties are "systematically denied".
Freedom House's classifications raise some questions, however. Its list of free states includes three Southern African countries—Botswana, Namibia and South Africa—where one political party has long been dominant and where there are few signs of any erosion of the political monopoly. Similar comments apply to partly free states like Nigeria, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda.
More setbacks than gains in 2006
Freedom House says that after several years of steady (and, in a few cases, impressive) advances for democracy, the region suffered "more setbacks than gains" during 2006. Congo (Brazzaville) slipped from partly free to not free status, mainly because of a deterioration in government transparency and openness, while there were partial reversals of earlier gains in Burundi, Chad, Madagascar, Côte d'Ivoire, Mauritius, Somalia, South Africa and Guinea-Bissau. Equally, more modest declines were registered in both partly free and not free countries including Eritrea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Kenya, Seychelles and Zimbabwe.
In contrast, five countries are flagged for achieving "notable progress" during 2006, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is praised for carrying out "largely successful" presidential elections—a somewhat debatable viewpoint given the flaws in the polls. Others heading in the right direction were Liberia, Benin, Malawi and Mauritania.
The report identifies region-wide developments responsible for declining freedom, notably the absence of government transparency and openness, as well as "increased government pressure" on the media and freedom of expression in countries with comparatively high levels of overall freedom like Ghana and Mali as well as those like Burundi and Gabon with generally poor freedom records.
Another factor is regime pressure on opposition political parties and leaders, but arguably the most important influence, according to Freedom House, is the "weakness of the rule of law" reflected in the ratings of a number of countries, ranging from Chad, Ethiopia and Eritrea to otherwise strong performers such as South Africa.
Indeed, noting the retreat of political liberalism in countries like Russia, Pakistan and Venezuela, Freedom House warns of "a discernible trend whereby countries achieve a modest level of freedom—the partly free countries of the survey—and then experience a failure to move forward to liberal democracy." This apparent halt in progress could mean that the world faces "a period of freedom stagnation".
Whatever their personal attitudes and beliefs, businesspeople and investors inevitably focus on the relationship between political freedom and economic performance. This is far from fixed. The fact is that since the late 1990s the global economy has performed very impressively, yet Freedom House shows that the proportion of the world population living in "not free" states has increased from 34% to 37% over the same period; in China, arguably the world's most impressive economic performer, there have certainly been very few signs of an increase in political freedoms.
Indeed, there appears to be very little if any correlation between political freedom and a national economy's rate of expansion. The fastest-growing African economy since 1998 has been politically un-free Equatorial Guinea, with growth averaging 26% a year. Other repressed economies with high growth rates include oil exporters Angola and Chad. One tentative conclusion to be drawn from the freedom data is that richer then economy—in terms of oil or minerals—the greater the degree of political repression. The average freedom score for 12 resource-rich countries, mostly oil exporters but including mineral exporters like Botswana, DRC, Namibia and Zambia, is materially worse than that of 20 agricultural or diversified economies (at 4.66, as against 3.4).
Resource nationalism
Clearly, this is a matter of concern to businesspeople. Resource-rich countries, especially the oil exporters, attract more foreign direct investment than resource-poor or agricultural economies. But low levels of political freedom in mineral- and oil-rich economies (Botswana and Namibia are exceptions) implies greater political instability, with potentially adverse repercussions for foreign investors.
It seems too that the resurgence of "resource nationalism" around the world, especially in Latin America and the Middle East, but also in African states like Angola, Nigeria, Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, Congo and Chad, is positively correlated with political repression. The more determined the government to control a country's natural resources, the greater the probability that political freedoms will be suppressed.
None of this is particularly surprising. Returns are greater in high-risk Nigeria, Angola, Sudan or the DRC than in South Africa, Kenya or Ghana. In other words, the correlation is not between political freedom and economic performance, but between political suppression and risk. The fewer the political freedoms, the greater the risk—and the higher the returns. For companies and potential investors, the challenges are those of risk evaluation and risk management. There is a temptation for oil companies to conclude that because Equatorial Guinea has a strong military ruler the risks of political instability are low, while the returns are way above average. That however, is the wrong conclusion. The higher the return, the greater the risks (economic, business and political) of a sudden, unexpected change in fortunes. Risk management is about predicting and anticipating change—as in Zimbabwe in 2007—not about believing that the status quo will last indefinitely.


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Since Leighton Meester's purple lipstick got mixed reviews from you guys yesterday I thought we'd talk about purple's more wearable cousin, plum, on Julianna Margulies here.
Now, plum is one of those lip colors that can be tricky--go too dark and it can get goth on you. Which is fine if that's your goal, otherwise not so much. So think rich, but air on the safer side if you're pale. Oh, and keep the rest of your makeup soft--no harsh liner strips around your eyes or really bright blush. Got it? Good.
Now here's your own personal plum lipstick shopping box:
Got a plum you've been digging recently? Tell us below.
More Ways to Get Glamour:
Got a fashion Q? Glamour stylists answer your fashion questions at WhatToWear.com
Show your love: Get our very own "xox" ring set, $12 at shopglamour.com
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Nando's is home of legendary Portuguese, flame grilled PERi-PERi chicken. You're guaranteed great food with excellent value for money, served in a warm, fun and vibrant atmosphere. Your senses will be fired up by the addictive flavour of our delicious PERi-PERi chicken, grilled to perfection and served with pride and passion.
As well as our legendary PERI-PERi Chicken, our menu lists tasty appetisers, salads, pittas, wraps, burgers, vegetarian dishes and, of course, desserts.


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Sam Waterston is a stage, film and television actor and serves on the board of Oceana and the emeritus board of Refugees International.
"[No man has the] right to mislead others, who have less access to history, and less leisure to study it. . . . Thus substituting falsehood and deception for truthful evidence and fair argument."
— Abraham Lincoln, "Cooper Union Address," 1860
You may know me as an actor. I'm also a longtime supporter of election reform and opponent of partisanship. In 1999 I gave a talk at one of the last bipartisan congressional retreats, using what I had learned preparing to play Abraham Lincoln to warn against faction, partisanship's original name. The founders knew partisanship to be one of the few things powerful enough to destroy the great American democratic experiment. I had some great quotes. John Hume, a Nobel laureate for his work to bring peace in Northern Ireland, spoke before me. His experience made searing testimony. We did our best. It seems it didn't work.
Until 2008, when an effort called Unity08, led by Democrat Gerald Rafshoon and Republican Doug Bailey, to elect a bipartisan presidential ticket was defeated, I was a registered Independent. To vote for Barack Obama in the primary that year, I joined a party. Believing it to be the best use of what influence my career in show business might have, I've served, more or less quietly, for many years on the boards of Oceana and Refugees International. But working quietly doesn't feel like an option now. This feels like an all-hands-on-deck moment.
[Republicans are alarmed to discover Trump is doing exactly what he said he would]
The great issue of today is lying — constant lying in public. Lying is the ally of faction and, since President Trump's rise to power, it is the greater danger. Yes, the word is lying — not negotiation, salesmanship, bluster, attention-getting, delusion, deception, braggadocio, exaggeration, bullying, alternative facts, or any other euphemism. Once, President John F. Kennedy could say that our national problems were no longer ideological but technical. Lying on a grand scale has reversed that.
And it's hard to keep up. Trump has lied about climate change and the character and motives of refugees, about how asylum-seekers have been vetted in the past and how many have been able to enter the United States, about immigrants, and a long list of other matters. As with partisanship, the more lying there is, the worse it is. And Trump's alternative facts have meant nasty real-world consequences.
As lying comes easily to Trump, it should come first in every report about his administration. Trump doesn't lie about this and that, and he doesn't lie sometimes. He is a liar, a person who lies. This news should be reported everywhere.
Politicians have lied before, but this is not an old problem getting worse. Indeed, past presidents have sometimes paid dearly for the mere appearance of a lie. A man of great good character and a lifetime of public service, President George H.W. Bush, said "Read my lips," which was branded a lie, and he lost an election. Accusations of lying — "Lying Hillary" — tainted Hillary Clinton's run for president. President Bill Clinton told a lie in public and under oath and the scandal got him impeached. The impeachment gained some weight from the sound legal principle that a liar in one thing is likely to lie about other things. That principle should be applied to Trump.
[Trump's erratic first week was among the most alarming in history]
By the frequency of his lying, Trump has revealed a truth we have avoided confronting: Like partisanship, regular and habitual lying is an existential threat to us, to our institutions, our memories, our understanding of now and of the future, to the great American democratic experiment, and to the planet. It blurs the truth, subverts trust, interferes with thought, and destroys clarity. It drives us to distraction.
It's impossible to overstate what is at stake. "I won," says Trump truly, following it up with lies about landslides, voter fraud and crowd size. Every American should be alarmed. It ought to be the lead in every article about him and his administration, no matter the subject. Lying at this level is a threat to the Republic.
Read more about this topic:
Richard Cohen: Trump's presidency is doomed


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Coussin BB
On the flowery printed satin base of this Coussin BB handbag, transparent Swarovski crystals are placed, like drops of morning dew on flowers. The satin is delicately embroidered with transparent thread to create the Coussin's signature padded aspect. Silver crystals on the embossed Monogram pattern, white lambskin gussets, and a chunky chain complete the design.
This reference is either Made in France, Spain, Italy or in the US.


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Master Stock vs Regular Stock
I've been a stock ecclesiastic for my entire career as a cook. I've raged endlessly on the virtues of roasting or smoking animal bones then cooking them down overnight with plenty fresh, clean water.
It's how I was raised.
Now I'm embarking on a journey toward master stock.
Master stock is like regular stock but better, more nuanced, deeper, richer, more complex.
And making a good one can take upwards of 100 years.
I first became aware of this elixir over the last few years as I've followed a variety of cooks on Tumblr. The Asian ones often speak of 'master stock' and refer to it as being a prime weapon in their kitchen.
I'm always looking for weapons to add to my arsenal as a cook. I remember well when I discovered cumin. I wasn't even in grammar school yet.
Last week I took a bowl of roasted and smoked bones I'd accumulated in my refrigerator (pork chop, chicken backs and pork spare ribs) and pressure cooked them with water for 90 minutes in my old Kuhn Rikon.
I poured the stock into a Pyrex and set it in the fridge overnight. In the morning it was as dense as wet cement. My stocks generally come out like shaky pudding but this one was super rigid.
I scooped out part of it, combined it with water and am using it to make a kettle of Hoppin John right now.
The rest is still in the fridge and will be used as a base for my master stock.
Now I'll spend the rest of my days ruminating over who will get this treasure upon my death.


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President Obama To Speak On Syria
President Obama is expected to speak from the Rose Garden about Syria at 1:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, but a White House official says his remarks will not be about imminent military operations.
Instead, the official, who asked not to be named, said the president will update the public about his decision on how to proceed.
The president has been considering a limited military strike against Syria, but he said Friday that he hadn't yet made a decision.
We'll livestream audio the president's statement here, and update with details as they become available.
Copyright 2013 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.


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In your Online Ordering Console, you can Generate an Order Report by selecting "Reports" from the main menu, and then selecting "My Orders - View a list of past orders".
Enter the date range you would like a report for. Click View This Report to generate.
Here you will see your Order Report, including the order id, customer info, order date, location ordered from, the subtotal, fees, and total.
You can also export all the information to MS Excel.
Need help? Don't hesitate to reach out!


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I Dunno, It Just Happened
I'LL BE THE FIRST TO ADMIT IT – I HAVE A BRAIN TO MOUTH DISCONNECT. Something will pop into my head and before I can do anything about it – Boing! It rockets out of my mouth and into play.
It happened again last night, and even though it wasn't in the best of taste, it was funny.
After dinner, my wife, the lovely and ever tolerant, Dawn, said that we needed to go grocery shopping. I'm all in favor of that because, without it, I'd wither away to a mere shadow of myself. My doctors have suggested that my shadow could use a little whittling down.
Our new favorite store is the Meijer Megastore. 90,000 square feet of everything you would ever need to survive an Earth/Asteroid collision. Even their parking lot is up to date with a row of about twenty slots for you to plug in your electric car to recharge while you cruise up and down the aisles. Of course, if you really do have an electric car you are probably sitting at home with a dead battery when it is 5° above zero.
But I digress.
Grocery shopping at Meijer's, or anywhere, makes me thirsty. I don't know why, but it does. Unlike most grocery stores, Meijer doesn't have those little last-second, impulse buying, beverage coolers by each checkout aisle. They have plenty of those cheap and tasteless tabloid magazines, but no cold bottles of Coke, Dr. Pepper, or water. I was as parched as a trout in the Sahara. I looked around for an oasis, a leaking faucet, anything. Then I spotted The Pretzel Shoppe.
The Pretzel Shoppe is one of those adjunct businesses that rent space at the front of those mega-stores. Wal-Mart has a Subway, an Optometrist, and even a Bank up front by the exits. Meijer has a haircutting place and The Pretzel Shoppe.
I had found my oasis.
"I'll be right back. I gotta get something to drink."
Things were slow at The Pretzel Shoppe. I was the only customer. The young gal, in the embarrassingly ugly Pretzel Shoppe uniform, behind the counter seemed grateful for some company. She took my order for "No pretzel, just a cold drink," and handed me a paper cup. I handed her a five dollar bill. I got myself a Diet Coke and chugged it down in record time.
My Brain/Mouth Disconnect happened when Miss Pretzel handed me my change. I expected her to say something like, "Thank you and please come again." I did not expect her to say, "Thank you and have a 'Pretzel Day'."
"Excuse me?" I must have misheard her.
"Thank you and have a Pretzel Day."
My Frontal lobe kicked in and the next words I heard came from my own mouth as I answered the young gal with, "A Pretzel Day? Is that 'twisted and a little knotty?'"
I've never seen anyone blush that quickly or so completely before. She turned so red I thought she was a thermometer. She giggled and I took that as my cue to leave. She wouldn't have giggled unless she knew what I, innocently, meant.
When I turned to leave I saw the "Meijer Greeter" standing only 10 feet away, and laughing out loud. Between us was Dawn with our cartful of groceries.
She just shook her head and said, "You shouldn't be allowed out."
She may be right and I may never eat another pretzel.


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Food culture of Aligare (Part 2: Daily meals)Posted: November 5, 2012 | Author: Heidi C. Vlach | Filed under: Aligare info, Uncategorized | Tags: aemets, ferrin, food, korvi, social structure, stories of aligare, worldbuilding |Leave a comment
In Part 1, I talked about the eating habits of the Aligare races in their ancient history. But in the timeframe of Remedy and Ravel, what would mealtime be like?
Family meals are a valued time for Aligare folk — especially since they might define "family" as everyone they care about. Most folk have at least one hot meal a day together, sitting together by the hearth fire on a designated meal blanket. But there are also vendors selling street food and snacks —
It had turned out to be a plain stretch of town street, with milling people of all kinds, with vendors sitting behind rainbow blankets.
Yes, here, Zitan had said. The vendor to their left was selling cider; Zitan heard liquid splashing and Peregrine had mentioned something about wetting his throat, hadn't he?
Remedy, a story of Aligare, Chapter 2
— and ultimately, Aligare folk don't wait for a particular time to eat food or share it.
Aemetkind prefers stewed meals — finished with wholesome greens and seasoned with chutney, accompanied by pan bread. Korvikind tend more toward roasted and fried meals, cooking up items that can be carried in the hand, making hash out of the leftovers. Folk influence each other, though, and it's not unusual for aemets to roast corn or for korvi to stew up some thornwood root.
What are these meals made of? Because of the heavy aemet influence on food production, most meals are plant-based. It only makes sense when a third of the population is very good with plants!
Grain: Corn is common, mostly dried and ground into corn flour or cornmeal. Legends say that corn grew up from the ground as a response to Maize, an aemet woman who asked plantkind for a gift of aid. Barley is used to thicken stews and make barley crackers. Wheat is present but it's not seen as a very nutritious food, and it's certainly not the civilization-builder it was for Western humans. In Aligare, wheat is pretty much a niche crop used by artisan bakers and brewers.
Instead of one grain being the overall favourite (like how some countries on Earth rely heavily on wheat, or rice), variety is preferred. Each village and town tends to have a majority grain, and they might trade with neighbouring communities for a different type.
Vegetables and legumes: Along with a majority grain, villages have a few preferred crops that add bulk to the diet. Usually one root (like potato, turnip or the roots of thornwood shrubs), and one green vegetable (spinach or peas). White beans are also grown, so that a handful can go into every stewpot. But major crops grown in fields don't provide a lot of variety. So some folk work as foragers and spend their days searching out wild nuts, shoots and mushrooms. Folk of all kinds might keep a small garden of vegetables and herbs — because even if you're a korvi or a ferrin with no plantcasting magic, growing a bit of mint and onions is manageable. This bounty is improved further by travelling merchants who carry food crops around. Aligare folk eat what we would consider a varied, healthy, organic diet.
Fruit: In the Aligare land, fruit is mostly used the way we'd expect. Much of the fruit harvest is eaten fresh. There are honeyed fruit treats, and fruit biscuits baked in small tin ovens, and stewed condiments like jam and chutney. But a notable Aligare custom is the sharing of mull.
Mull is a boiled (or, um, mulled) drink. It consists of water, fruit/berries, and sometimes herbs or spices. The end result is sort of like tea, but with more pulp and body to it. Mull is a common hospitality drink — mages in busy towns often keep a pot of mull brewing at all times, to be offered to anyone who drops by.
And there are bird cherries, which make aemets and ferrin sick. Bird-like korvi have no trouble digesting them, so korvi-majority communities might quietly make birdcherry wine or other specialty treats.
Meat: With aemets providing an abundance of vegetable foods, meat is quite optional in the Aligare diet. Pigeons are the most common livestock. They're kept in cages, raised for their eggs and for occasional stewing birds. Wild animals like rabbits, partridge, deer and nurls (a breed of giant, herbivorous weasels) are sometimes hunted. Folk also raise horses, which aren't thought of as primarily food animals but when one goes lame and needs to be put down, its meat doesn't go to waste.
Because of their carnivorous origins, korvi don't require large amounts of meat but they're usually happy to have it. If a korvi has performed a valuable service, a big piece of roast meat would be an ideal payment. Aemets, on the other hand, are often uneasy at the thought of eating a big chunk of animal. Aemet villages that go through a lot of meat are usually feeding it to others — korvi allies, or sometimes service animals like dogs or chakdaw birds.
Since salt is a relatively expensive commodity for Aligare folk, salt-preserved meats aren't common. It's more typical to dry meat over the hearth fire.
Fish: The Aligare world doesn't have any oceans or similarly huge bodies of water. Aquatic foods are usually crusteceans — little crawfish-type things that make great soup. A handful of lakes are large enough to harvest finned fish from, and towns near these lakes are renowned for their fried and stewed fish.
Eggs: Pigeons produce a steady supply of eggs, and foragers occasionally find wild bird nests. But most eggs go into baked goods and products like glue. Eating a boiled or fried egg is a very special treat for Aligare folk.
So if a human fell through a portal and landed in the Aligare world, they'd have a hard time finding a steak or a piece of wheat bread. But they could still eat a delicious meal. And the Aligare peoplekinds would be glad to share.
Related articles
- Food culture of Aligare (Part 1: History) (heidicvlach.wordpress.com)
- Aligare wildlife: the pandora (heidicvlach.wordpress.com)
- Chromepieces (heidicvlach.wordpress.com)


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12 Mixes Worth Listening to This Week
Taking a break from World Cup blogging to post some new mixes...
No season inspires DJs quite like the summer: Mick Boogie and Jazzy Jeff with nothing but outdoor grilling anthems, Matthew Africa pays tribute to "Warm Weather" with some disco, boogie and Cassiano's phenomenal "Onda," and an eclectic "Express Yourself" from Dreams in Audio. (d/l, stream, d/l)
If you have twenty minutes, listen to this tropical funk/cumbia mix from Geko Jones. (stream)
Soul-Sides blogger O-Dub's "They Call Me Mr. Lonely" mix is streaming at Galactic Fractures. It's really good and, despite its title, not all that sad. (stream)
Derek, of Derek's Daily 45s, offers a great live set of 60s soul (the opener, Sam Dees' "Lonely For You Baby," is a scorcher), garage and psych nuggets and, weirdly, the Stooges "I Wanna Be Your Dog." (d/l)
The Midnite Soulstice radio show/podcast with a Blue Note jazz mix. (stream)
Andrew Kuo of NY Times review-chart and Smiths googly-eye t-shirt fame with a mix from "the era when you alphabetized compact discs, drove an hour for the new Bedhead (sold out) and rewarded yourself that Unwound record after a week's work." For the purposes of this 1990s-themed mix, we'll refer to him as Andrew Kuo of the great Trash Heap. (stream)
The gloriously unpredictable Meatskull links to a mix from Fuck Yeah Goths and another of Dennis Hopper (R.I.P.) related tunes. (d/l both)
Chicago's fantastic Numero Group label selects some of their favorite reissues (their own, naturally) for Self Titled Magazine's Needle Exchange series. (stream)