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Sarah Palin, while appearing on "Fox News Sunday," was asked about recent comments by former top Bush Administration adviser Karl Rove dismissing her as a reality show star all-but unworthy of the presidency.
Palin, a paid commentator for Fox News, replied that her upcoming show on The Learning Channel, "Sarah Palin's Alaska" is a documentary series about the scenic state she served for three years as governor. Then she invoked the two words that make Republicans from the center to the far right genuflect: Ronald Reagan.
"Wasn't Ronald Reagan an actor? Wasn't he in 'Bedtime for Bonzo,' Bozo or something? Ronald Reagan was an actor," she said (check out a clip of the exchange here).
Her deceivingly light-hearted response proved both a master stroke and a revealing moment: Palin cleverly cloaked herself in the Reagan cloth while embracing her odd hybrid role as a politician/pundit/TV show star and spinning it as a strength rooted in GOP tradition.
Which got us thinking that, on some level, Tuesday's mid-term elections are playing out as a reality show of sorts – and Palin has tried, with some success, to set herself up as the star.
The election is seen in some quarters as Palin and the Tea Party vs. President Obama, in a possible prelude to the 2010 presidential race. But like much of Reality TV, what you see isn't always the full picture.
While the President's popularity ratings are sagging, Palin's not doing so well in the polls herself: a recent Washington Post-ABC News survey found that 67 percent of voters see her as unqualified for the presidency, about the same since the spring.
Her poll fortunes, of course, might change with time. But the number seems particularly poor considering the general discontent with Washington, the publicity garnered by the Tea Party and Palin's own attempts to carefully control her image.
She generally avoids press interviews, save for her home turf of Fox News. She communicates largely through speeches before friendly audiences (as with her appearance at Glenn Beck's "Restoring Honor" rally) and through social media (her "Mama Grizzlies" video has notched close to 500,000 hits on YouTube since June). Palin's recent entertainment TV appearances have been limited to rooting on her daughter, Bristol, on "Dancing With the Stars."
Her endorsements have received major press: she's fighting hard for Tea Party-friendly Republican U.S. Senate candidates Joe Miller in Alaska and Sharron Angle in Nevada, though she seems to distancing herself somewhat from Delaware Senate hopeful Christine O'Donnell, who has become a national punchline.
Obama, meanwhile, has spent more time visiting entertainment TV shows than any president, drawing him some criticism. The GOP is quick to compare Obama's overall performance to that of one-term Democratic President Jimmy Carter. But he also has parallels with Carter's successor, Reagan.
Like The Great Communicator (and Palin), Obama is very telegenic and does well with certain audiences – something we got a reminder of last week with the rock-star reception he received from the friendly crowd at "The Daily Show."
Perhaps more significantly, Reagan was in a similar position two years into his first term, with the unemployment about one percentage point higher than it is now and his popularity ratings as poor as Obama's latest numbers. The 1982 mid-term elections were a mixed bag for the GOP, with the Democrats bolstering their hold the House and the Republicans taking a one-seat majority in Senate.
Whether the Democrats and Obama lose control of Congress, and how Palin's candidates fair on Tuesday's election, remain to be seen.
Looking ahead – at least on the TV front – Obama reportedly is set for a December cameo on The Discovery Channel's "Mythbusters." As for Palin, "Sarah Palin's Alaska" debuts Nov. 14. One reported guest star is Reality TV mom Kate Gosselin.
The show only may have just begun – stay tuned.
Hester is founding director of the award-winning, multi-media NYCity News Service at the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism. He is the former City Editor of the New York Daily News, where he started as a reporter in 1992. Follow him on Twitter.


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Report: Public defender system showing positive results
Harris County's recently created public defender system is seeing positive results, including an uptick in dismissed cases for Houston's mentally ill, according to a report released Tuesday by the Council of State Governments Justice Center.
"It says we provide a lot of value to the system," Alex Bunin, the county's chief public defender, said of the results.
Those results include dismissal rates that are five times higher for mentally ill misdemeanor suspects than similar defendants with appointed attorneys.
The office, which began in 2011 with a state grant funding the first four years, handles about 6 percent of the county's indigent trial-level cases. The rest of the indigent cases are handled by private attorneys appointed by one of the county's 40 criminal court judges.
In general, the report found that the public defender's office does more investigation, which leads to better results in court, advocates for the defense bar in community issues and offers free training, mentoring and advice that was not available before.
Those courtroom results include a greater proportion of dismissals, deferred sentences and acquittals. The report also pointed out that the office sees a smaller proportion of "guilty" verdicts than appointed lawyers. Overall, the public defender office secured acquittals at three times the rate of appointed or hired attorneys, according to the report.
Bunin said getting good results begins with the lawyers at the office having smaller caseloads in line with American Bar Association standards. But, he noted, that means the cost per case is higher.
In felony cases, for example, the cost per case for the public defender's office is $944. Under the appointment system, the cost per case averages $550.
The cost difference was seized on by critics, including the Harris County Republican Party, which has long been an opponent of implementing a public defender system.
"Our position has always been that less government is better than more," said Jared Woodfill, chairman of the party. "The public defenders office is just another layer of bureaucracy and government that is more costly."
Woodfill said the system that was in place was not broken, "so there was no reason to fix it with a big government solution to the problem."

subset: commoncrawl


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Add a homelike feel to your classroom with this woven, easy to clean, textured basket. Children will help straighten up the classroom when each manipulative has its own basket. One small basket. Measures 5"H x 12"L x 8"W. Colors match the Nature Color Furniture Line. Contents not included.
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The White House budget has leaked to Jackie Calmes of the New York Times and various other outlets. Here are the details, as far as I can make out:
1. It will incorporate the deal that Obama offered John Boehner during the fiscal cliff negotiations. $600 billion in new revenue, mostly from capping deductions for rich people at 28%. $400 billion out of health care spending, mostly from provider payment cuts.
2. The big news is that administration continues embracing "chained CPI", which would lower the inflation rate that is used to calculate cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security benefits. This has been very unpopular with the party's left wing
3. The president is continuing to emphasize pre-K education, which looks to be the signature progressive project of his second term. He wants more money for states to fund pre-K, paid for by higher taxes on tobacco.
4. The boldest move is an attempt to limit the amount that can be accumulated in retirement accounts to about $3 million (though this amount will grow, slowly, over time). This would raise about $9 billion over the next 10 years.
5. The biggest surprise, "didn't see that coming" item: a proposal to end a "loophole" whereby people can (theoretically) collect unemployment and disability at the same time. No dollar value on this proposal yet.
6. Total claimed deficit reduction is about $1.8 trillion over 10 years, which the administration says will add to $2.5 trillion of alread-completed deficit reduction to stabilize the debt over the next decade.
To some extent, we're guessing at what this really looks like; these are verbal descriptions of the plan to reporters, not hard figures. So the analysis below is preliminary.
First Thoughts:
The health care spending cuts are unlikely to be passed, or to work. Obamacare already included large Medicare cuts. Most of them haven't gone into effect. And as the cuts get closer, the government is busily undoing them. After the administration spent years complaining about "overpayments" to Medicare Advantage plans, regulators just announced that they would be boosting the reimbursement rates. Despite the president's promises that they were just going to cut payments, not benefits, it turns out that payment cuts mean benefit cuts. And politicians are afraid of benefit cuts. It seems silly to count on another $400 billion worth of provider payment cuts, when we don't yet know if we can make the ones we already have stick.
Chained CPI would work, and it is going to happen eventually Progressives don't like it. But non-progressives don't like huge tax hikes. Chained CPI is exactly the kind of change that the government actually can make stick: a very, very slow decline in benefits that gives people ample time to plan around it. By one estimate, chained CPI would reduce benefits by about 3% a couple decades from now. The corollary, of course, is that this does not raise much money in the short term: about $130 billion over ten years. But since the long-term is where the biggest problem is, chained CPI remains a good idea.
Pre-K may be a good idea, but tobacco taxes are a bad way to fund it. Smoking continues to decline, and it will probably fall further if we slap more taxes on its sale. That may be great for the health of the people who never start smoking, but it means that we'll end up with a budget gap between an expensive new program, and the tax revenue we're raising to pay for it. Long-term spending committments require stable long-term revenues, not temporary fixes that look good for the purposes of 10-year budget forecasts, but dump a huge budget problem in the laps of future legislators.
The president continues to hammer symbolic tax hikes for the wealthy that raise little revenue. Add "overstuffed retirement accounts" to the list of the president's favorite loopholes, along with accelerated depreciation for corporate jets, expensing of oil-and-gas exploration, and capital gains treatment for capital gains. What do these things have in common? They are more complicated than the president's sound bytes suggest, and raise very little money. But I doubt this one will stay on the list very long. Americans don't like special treatment for the rich--but they don't necessarily like special treatment against the rich, especially when the wealthy are doing something they approve of. That's why the estate tax remains unpopular despite the best messaging efforts of the Democrats: people want to leave a little something to the kids, and they think rich people should be able to do so too. Likewise saving. Romney's massive 401(k) never caught on as a campaign issue because people believe in saving for retirement. Corporate jets seem flagrantly unnecessary. 401(k)s don't.
There's less to the disability proposal than meets the eye. It takes a long time to get on disability for most people. The number of folks who succeed in collecting unemployment and disability at the same time are likely to be low. What this may do is reduce the retroactive awards that folks get when they finally manage to get their disability claim approved. This will be a problem not so much for the beneficiaries as for their lawyers, who are typically paid based on how much back pay they secure you.
The deficit reduction is also somewhat underwhelming. The administration has a fondness for double-counting things that were already going to happen (or cutting things that weren't) as "deficit reduction". And stabilizing the debt over the next 10 years is not a heartening goal, because unless something further is done, the debt will start growing again just outside the 10-year window. Without a serious committment to making the numbers add up, in the not-so-distant future, we'll be spending as much on interest on the national debt as we are on national defense.
Overall takeway
With this budget, the president is retreating to territory that has proven safe for him in the past: position himself as a middle of the road compromiser faced with the intransigence of Republicans who only care about tax breaks for the wealthy. His budget places him as the compromise position between the Democratic budget released by Senator Patty Murray, and the Republican proposals.
Democrats are worried that seizing the middle weakens his bargaining position, but it likely reflects his frustrations at a lackluster start for his second term. He hasn't convinced the public that the sequester is a disaster, much less succeeded in blaming the Republicans. The public doesn't even seem to know that the payroll tax cut existed, much less that it expired. Gun control is stalled in congress and unlikely to go somewhere, given that its popularity is declining at the polls. With this budget, the administration is moving back into a fight they think they can win: offer a compromise, and win the messaging war.
Or rather, win the messaging battle. This is probably a fight that the president can win, unless Republicans come up with a strong response that positions them as something other than simply a permanent veto. It's unusual for a budget to leak so far ahead of its actual release. The administration is clearly trying to seize the initiative, getting a few days of talk about their budget while the Republicans, who don't have the actual budget yet, are unable to mount a real attack on it.
But it's not clear to what end he is fighting. Winning the budget messaging war is not going to get us a sound budget, and probably not going to open up much movement on the rest of his policy agenda. The president is defending his flanks while the advance grinds to a halt.
What to look for when the budget is released
Republicans complain that Democratic Senator Patty Murray's budget has double-counted savings from the sequester: first she counts the sequester as deficit reduction that has already happened; then she repeals the sequester and replaces it with a different set of revenue raisers . . . which get counted as additional deficit reduction. Watch for this sort of move in the president's budget. With money tight, baseline games are the natural alternative to enraging constituencies by actually cutting spending or raising taxes.


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The slueths at 1Addicts pulled up this chart listing future BMW engines, including a 340 hp twin-turbocharged N54 inline-six for the BMW 1M. Makes sense. Intriguingly, this document also hints at a 445 hp BMW 1-series. Wait, what?
This intriguing chart lists three coupes using the "N54B30T0" engine code, both of which appear to be "M" models. The name for the model isn't listed as anything but "PYRAT," which is the code BMW's been using internally for the 1 Series M Coupe.
Two of the models show an output of 340 hp, which is a nice improvement over the 300 hp currently in the BMW 135i. Then there's the U.S. only version showing 332 kw, or approximately 445 hp. That's more power than the current 414-hp BMW M3.
It seems unlikely they'd use that much power in the 1-series, let alone let us have it. We'd guess this engine is more likely for a new M3. But we wouldn't complain, either. [1Addicts.com]


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DJ Muggs & Planet Asia - Lions In The Forest
Video for DJ Muggs and Planet Asia Video "Lions In The Forest. Shout out to Charley
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text: One of our biggest fans is Keith Smith, the son of our associate, Becky Smith, From Honolulu to San Antonio, Keith is on the lookout for Eli's Cheesecake & Desserts where ever he travels. This evening Keith shared with us photos from his viist to Kennedy's Chicago Pizza in San Antonio. A great customer and we are so proud to be such an important part of their menu!


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GARY McSheffrey's first-half header was enough to condemn Sheffield United to another home defeat and lift Coventry up to fourth place in the npower Championship.
McSheffrey outjumped the Blades defence at the far post to head home Richard Keogh's flick-on to clinch Aidy Boothroyd's side their first back-to-backs wins of the season.
The Blades, who twice hit the woodwork in the first half through Stephen Quinn and Jamie Ward, were made to pay for failing to convert their chances in front of a crowd of 20,059, who witnessed their side's fourth home league defeat of the season.
Gary Speed's side, whose last home win was against Portsmouth in mid-September, are four points above the relegation zone.
Andy Reid, signed on loan from Sunderland yesterday, started on the bench for the Blades, who dominated the early stages.
Richard Cresswell fired off target in the third minute, Mark Yeates saw his shot from the edge of the penalty area blocked by Coventry defender Martin Cranie and Stephen Quinn hit the crossbar with a stunning 25-yard volley.
But Coventry struck the home side a blow with their first attack on the Blades' goal. Richard Keogh headed the ball back across the six-yard box and McSheffrey outjumped the home defence at the far post to head the ball into the top corner.
Quinn tried his luck with another volley from similar distance but failed to hit the target and after Sammy Clingan fired in a rare shot for the visitors from Lukas Jutkiewicz's cross, the Blades hit the woodwork again, this time when Jamie Ward's shot from 12 yards struck the post.
United were nearly made to pay again for their wayward finishing two minutes after the restart when Clingan's 30-yard free-kick forced Steve Simonsen into a fine save and Blades defender Nyron Nosworthy blocked Jutkiewicz's volley from the rebound.
The Sky Blues were full of confidence at this stage and Blades boss Speed sent on Reid for Quinn in a bid to unlock the visitors' well organised defence in the 57th minute.
The home side responded, with Cresswell going close with a header from Yeates' cross and Speed then sent on striker Ched Evans for defender Johnny Ertl.
But it was the visitors who threatened to extend their lead in the 70th minute when Clive Platt headed Clingan's free-kick the wrong side of the post, while substitute Marlon King, on for Jutkiewicz, curled a 20-yard free-kick wide in the 78th minute.
The Blades were full of endeavour in their bid to rescue a point in the closing stages, but apart from long-range efforts from Evans and Reid in the six minutes of time added on failed to create further clear-cut chances.


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2017 US Open of Surfing
July 29 – August 6
Huntington Beach, south of the pier
This week-long competition takes place on the shore south of Huntington Beach Pier. Come see professional and amateur surfers compete to take a spot for the ASP World Tour. Visitors will also find skateboarding demos and live music all week. Completely free to attend, this weekend will see thousands of spectators on the beach for the US Open. Expect heavy traffic all week. Try to find parking in the neighborhoods, but prepare to walk a long distance if choosing to park in neighborhoods, since the neighborhoods closer to the beach will remain full all week.
Monday Melt Down
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, July 31
Grits, Fullerton
A grilled cheese contest will take place in Downtown Fullerton tonight. They have not provided any information regarding admission fees or how much each thing will cost.
Old Spanish Days – Fiesta
August 2-6
Santa Barbara
A week of Latin cultural celebrations comes to Santa Barbara this week, and will include a plethora of events to check out, including a food & wine festival at the Santa Barbara Zoo on Thursday evening. Check the website for a full list of events, and each event's cost and age limit.
Opposition Rising: Live in Southern California
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, August 2, Five Star Bar, Downtown Los Angeles
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, August 3, Tower Bar, City Heights, San Diego
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, August 4, Bar 1650, Corona
5:00 pm – 1:00 am, August 5, Characters Sports Bar, Pomona
A series of hardcore punk shows will take place in Southern California this week. The cover charges for these shows vary by the venue, so check with the location for details. No one under 21 may enter any show.
2017 International Surf Festival
9:00 am – 10:00 pm, August 3-4
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, August 5
7:30 am – 3:00 pm, August 6
Various beaches, Hermosa/Manhattan/Redondo Beach
Celebrate beach life with the annual International Surf Festival that spans four days starting Thursday morning. The festival comes chock-full of events and activities – see the website for a complete schedule. Actual surfing competitions start Saturday morning, while visitors can catch other activities on all the other times, such as beach volleyball, lifeguard demos, beach runs, and more.
IPA Day 2017
4:00 pm – 12:00 am, August 3
Hamilton Family Brewery, Rancho Cucamonga
Rancho Cucamonga's Hamilton Family Brewery will release two new IPA's this week. Stop on by their tasting room starting this Thursday to enjoy a cold one or two.
64th Annual Kids Fishing Rodeo
8:00 am – 12:00 pm, August 4
Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, Long Beach
This FREE kids' fishing contest will provide a safe environment for kids to learn how to fish, about fishing equipment, and about the environment. All participants must supply their own rod and reel – the event will provide bait and tackle.
2017 Bon Odori
10:00 am – 9:00 pm, August 4
Japanese Friendship Garden, Balboa Park, San Diego
San Diego gets an Obon Festival this Friday in Balboa Park. Admission costs $10, and gets you in to enjoy food, arts & crafts, entertainment, games, music, vendors, and more.
First Fridays
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, August 4
Various locations
Long Beach: http://firstfridayslongbeach.com/
Venice: http://www.abbotkinney1stfridays.com/
This monthly artwalk occurs on the first Friday of every month. Each location offers different activities, but most will contain food & drink specials, art exhibits & displays, street performers, and more. Venice and Long Beach have the two largest gatherings of all First Fridays. Other locations include Westchester, Fullerton, and City of Industry. Most First Fridays locations cost nothing to attend, while the local businesses uphold their standard rules (e.g. bars 21+ only).
69th Annual La Habra Corn Festival
5:30 pm – 11:00 pm, August 4
11:00 am – 11:00 pm, August 5
12:00 pm – 9:00 pm, August 6
El Centro Park, La Habra
This city fair celebrates corn with food, rides, games, drinks, vendors, merchandise, raffles, entertainment, and more. This fair will have a parade on Saturday afternoon too. Free to attend for all ages, visitors can also participate in a corn-eating contest, cutest baby contest, dog costume contest, apple pie contest, and more.
Brew at the Zoo 2017
6:00 pm – 11:00 pm, August 4
Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles
This craft beer fest at the Los Angeles Zoo will allow you to drink while exhibiting the animals. Also expect to see comedians, DJs, bands, vendors, and more. General admission costs $65, starts at 7pm, and includes unlimited 5oz beer tasters and entry into the park to look at the animals. VIP admission costs $125, starts at 6pm, and includes access to two VIP lounges. No one under 21 may attend.
Kirby's Dream Band, Super MadNES, Extra Lives
8:00 pm – 12:00 am, August 4
California Institute of Abnormalarts, North Hollywood
Rock out to some video game inspired music this Friday night in North Hollywood. The cover for this all-ages show costs $10.
10th Annual Surf Guitar Convention & Festival
8:00 pm – 12:00 am, August 4
12:00 pm – 12:00 am, August 5-6
Alpine Village, Torrance
Come see lots of surf music bands perform at this benefit show. This all-ages event costs $20 to attend on Friday or Sunday, or $40 to attend on Saturday.
Dine LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week
August 5-13
Participating restaurants, Long Beach
First came Eat LBC, then we had Dine Out Long Beach. Now we have Dine LBC, another Long Beach Restaurant Week. During this 9-day period, participating restaurants throughout Long Beach will have various food and drink specials. Some of these restaurants may require reservations, while others allow you to walk in and dine with the specials. Check the website for a list of participating restaurants.
28th Annual Clairemont Family Day
8:00 am – 4:00 pm, August 5
South Clairemont Park, San Diego
Bring the entire family over to the park this Saturday for a FREE fair at the park. This fair will feature a pancake breakfast, arts & crafts, live entertainment, food, drinks, games, rides, a car show, and more. Visitors can swim for FREE in the park's pool from 12pm until 3pm.
8th Annual Tour de Big Bear
8:00 am – 4:00 pm, August 5
Big Bear Lake Village, Big Bear Lake
Go on a bike ride throughout Big Bear Lake this Saturday morning. Rides last between 25 to 100 miles. Many other activities will take place throughout Big Bear Lake on this day too – check the website to see the list of other things to do this weekend.
2017 ARP Long Beach Sprint Nationals
8:00 am – 5:00 pm, August 5-6
Marine Stadium, Long Beach
Powerboat racers from across the country will congregate in Long Beach this weekend for this annual competition. Admission costs $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
Crossroads of the West Gun Shows
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, August 5
9:00 am – 4:00 pm, August 6
Ontario Convention Center, Ontario
Find hundreds of gun vendors at this two-day gun show this weekend. Admission to this all-ages event costs $16. Check the website for a printable coupon to take $1 off admission.
6th Annual Los Angeles Clitoral Mass
9:00 am – 6:00 pm, August 5
LA State Historic Park, Downtown Los Angeles
Participate in a communal bike ride starting in Los Angeles this Saturday morning. Mix and mingle with the various diverse women joining in on this bike ride.
Hello Kitty Cafe Pop-Up – Rancho Cucamonga Appearance
10:00 am – 8:00 pm, August 5
Victoria Gardens, Rancho Cucamonga
SoCal Hello Kitty fans will not want to miss this rare opportunity to experience the Hello Kitty Cafe. This weekend, visitors will enjoy macarons, minicakes, and other Hello Kitty treats not found anywhere else.
5th Annual ScareLA
11:00 am – 6:00 pm, August 5-6
Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles
Welcome to Southern California's premier Halloween convention. At this weekend event, get a glimpse at all things Halloween, preview this year's top costumes, and get info on the world's scariest haunted houses or mazes. Check out over a hundred Halloween vendors, makeup artists, scare demos, costume demos, and more. Visitors may also want to wear their costume to this expo to "practice" for Halloween! The price of admission varies based on the day of attendance, and any of the extras included with admission. General admission (no extra goodies) costs $35 on Saturday and $30 on Sunday. See the website for a full breakdown of prices.
5th Annual Avocado Fest
11:00 am – 8:00 pm, August 5-6
Angel City Brewery, Los Angeles
Angel City Brewery brings back their Avocado Ale this week, and to celebrate, they will have multiple activities going on at their tasting room in Downtown Los Angeles., such as avocado-themed food trucks, live art, live music, vendors, games, brewery tours, and more. This event requires no admission – simply pay for beer and other products as you go.
5th Annual Maritime Museum of San Diego's Craft Beer Festival
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, August 5
Maritime Museum, San Diego
A waterside beer festival comes to Downtown San Diego this Saturday afternoon. General admission costs $35 and starts at 1pm, while VIP admission costs $50 and starts at 12pm. All attendees receive unlimited beer tasters for the duration of the event while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.
The So-Cal Hoedown
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, August 5
East End, Downtown Santa Ana
A concert will take over the streets of Downtown Santa Ana this Saturday, featuring four stages and three indoor venues. This event will also have a car show and pinup contest. General admission to this all-ages concert costs $30, while VIP admission costs $50 and includes an event poster and t-shirt.
HARD Summer Music Festival
12:00 pm – 12:00 am, August 5-6
Glen Helen Amphitheater, San Bernardino
Electronic Dance Music (EDM) has always remained a popular genre in our recent history. Since the early 1990's, people have jammed and danced to EDM through various forms, such as rave, techno, trance, dubstep, and more. Due to this genre's lack of lyrics, EDM sounds the same to everyone around the world. This international appeal reaches every corner in the world, especially at Electric Daisy Carnival. This weekend, Los Angeles will see its own EDM concert with Hard Summer, a two-day outdoor concert taking place at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. Tickets start at $109. No one under 18 may attend.
High & Mighty Festival
1:00 pm – 11:00 pm, August 5-6
Village Green Park, Garden Grove
An all-ages concert with some big names in rock and rap will take place in Garden Grove this weekend. Tickets start at $39.
Hollywood Beer & Music Festival
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, August 5
Avalon Hollywood, Hollywood
Get chocolate-wasted in Hollywood this Saturday afternoon complete with bros, hos, brews, queues, and more. General admission costs $35 and starts at 3pm. VIP admission costs $50, starts at 2pm, and has access to exclusive cocktails. No one under 21 may attend.
6th Annual Downtown Burbank Car Classic
3:00 pm – 9:00 pm, August 5
San Fernando Blvd b/t Magnolia & Angeleno, Burbank
Car enthusiasts will want to make their way over to Downtown Burbank this Saturday afternoon for a day full of classic cars, customs, and more, free to attend for all ages.
Golden Park Summer Music & Movie Event
4:00 pm – 10:00 pm, August 5
Golden Park, Downey
A free and all-ages music and movie night will take place in Downey this Saturday evening.
Chinatown Summer Nights
5:00 pm – 12:00 am, August 5
Chinatown, Downtown Los Angeles
Have a fun time this summer at Chinatown in Downtown Los Angeles. Free to attend for all ages, this nighttime festival brings together food, music, art, and beer in a multicultural setting. Expect to see food trucks, merchandise, arts & crafts, live music, live DJ's, a dance floor, a beer garden hosted by Eagle Rock Brewery, and more. Guests can find free street parking on Spring St and the side streets connected to Spring, including College St.
5th Annual International Vegetarian & Vegan Food Festival
5:30 pm – 9:30 pm, August 5
Planet Rehab, San Dimas
Sample vegetarian and vegan food from 30 different cuisines this Saturday evening in San Dimas. Admission costs $25 for adults or $10 for children, and provides unlimited food samples for the duration of the event while supplies last.
15th Annual Plate By Plate
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, August 5
California Science Center, Los Angeles
Check out some of Southern California's top restauranteurs at this evening gala this Saturday in LA. General admission costs $150, starts at 7pm, and provides access to the main floor. VIP admission costs $250, starts at 6pm, and comes with multiple VIP perks.
The Dickies – Live in Corona
7:00 pm – 2:00 am, August 5
Bar 1650, Corona
Get your weekly dose of punk rock this Saturday night in Corona. The cover for this show costs $15. No one under 21 may enter.
9th Annual OC Fair Fun Run 5K
8:00 am – 12:00 pm, August 6
OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa
The OC Fair hosts a 5K at the fairgrounds this Sunday morning. Registration costs $40 presale and $45 on the day of the race, if any spots remain. Children ages 6-12 register for $25 presale and $30 on the day of the race, if any spots remain. Online registration closes this Thursday. All participants receive a goodie bag, which includes a T-shirt, a medal for participating, and one admission into the OC Fair.
3rd Annual Yestercon
9:00 am – 4:00 pm, August 6
The Carson Center, Carson
Check out old toys, games, and other pop culture items at this all-ages retro event in Carson this Sunday. General admission costs $10 and starts at 10am, while early admission costs $15 and starts at 9am. Visitors may park for free here.
August Family Sunday Funday Ride
9:30 am – 1:30 pm, August 6
Redondo Union High School, Redondo Beach.
Bring out your family for a bike ride around Redondo Beach. The course runs up to 18 miles, but participants may choose to ride for a lesser duration.
19th Annual Taste of Ecuador Food Festival
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, August 6
Olvera Street, Los Angeles
Dozens of food vendors will serve up delicious Ecuadorian eats along Olvera Street this Sunday afternoon. Free to attend for all ages, visitors can simply pay for the food that they want without the worry of paying to enter.
41st Annual Los Angeles Ratha Yatra
10:00 am – 7:00 pm, August 6
Venice Beach, Venice
Some kind of religious parade and festival comes to Venice Beach this Sunday afternoon, free to attend for all ages. In addition to a parade, expect to find performers, entertainers, vendors, and more.
3rd Annual Long Beach Zine Fest
11:00 am – 5:00 pm, August 6
Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach
Art lovers rejoice – Long Beach gets their own Zine Fest this Sunday afternoon. This free and all-ages event will feature hundreds of local and/or independent authors and publishers sharing their magazines, comics, and other DIY material. Workshops and speakers will engage attendees with more material.
21st Annual Chula Vista Lemon Festival
11:00 am – 5:00 pm, August 6
Third Avenue Village, Chula Vista
This street fair in Chula Vista will have food, arts & crafts, live music, dance, entertainment, and lemons everywhere. Completely free to attend for all ages, visitors should park in the neighborhoods south of 3rd Avenue.
11th Annual Charity Chili Cook Off
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, August 6
Hi-Time Wine Cellars, Costa Mesa
Don your best cowboy/cowgirl outfit and mosey on over to Hi-Time Wine Cellars this Sunday for their annual chili cook-off. At this pinnacle of chili fests, guests will find live music, beer, wine, spirits, and more. Presale admission costs $10, while admission with ten raffle/drink tickets cost $20. Act quick, as this event sells out every year!
Game Day: Battle Royale
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, August 6
Tenth Avenue Arts Center, San Diego
Play fighting video games for free this Sunday afternoon in Downtown San Diego.
Cruise the Pike Classic Car Show
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, August 28
The Pike, Downtown Long Beach
Come on down to The Pike this Sunday afternoon and enjoy art and cars on the grassy knoll! Spectators of all ages can attend for free. Anyone interested in showcasing their classic car in this show must register their vehicle for $15 prior to the event or $20 on the day of.
9th Annual Lobsterfest at Newport Beach
3:00 pm – 8:00 pm, August 6
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, Newport Beach
An all-ages seafood festival comes to Newport Beach this Sunday evening. Admission costs $60, and includes one full meal. VIP admission costs $150 and basically gives you all-you-can-eat food while supplies last.


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The White House Friday again vowed that illegal immigrants won't get health care under President Obama's new plan, and a Senate committee looked ready to follow its lead in legislation.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said that Obama won't allow illegal immigrants to buy insurance through the purchasing exchanges the government will build -- even from private companies working inside the new system.
"Illegal immigrants would not be allowed to access the exchange that is set up," Gibbs said.
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
Illegal immigrants are currently barred from health care except in cases of certain emergencies -- but many can still buy private insurance without consequence.
Read more: The Associated Press
Copyright AP - Associated Press


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The family of a teenage California girl rescued on the high seas while trying to sail solo around the globe said they abandoned plans for a reality show before the girl set sail and have no interest in revisiting them now.
"There is no show at this time, nor will there be," Abby Sunderland's father Laurence said outside the family's home on Monday.
"There is no reality TV show, there's no documentary that's going to be made, there's no book deal," Sunderland's mother Marianne Sunderland added in an interview with The Associated Press.
U.S. & World
Hours earlier, The New York Post reported Laurence Sunderland said he signed a contract for a reality show weeks after his 16-year-old daughter set sail from Southern California last January.
Sunderland went missing Thursday when a strong storm knocked out her satellite communication and broke her mast. A French fishing boat rescued the teen sailor on Saturday.
Marianne Sunderland said the Post's report and others were based on misinformation and misunderstandings.
Before her daughter set sail, she said, the family was approached by Magnetic Entertainment, a small Santa Monica-based company that expressed interest in developing a reality show.
At the time, Abby Sunderland's older brother Zac had just become the youngest person to sail solo around the world, a record that has since been broken.
"They just wanted to do a show showing what our life is like and how we ended up with kids who are ambitious," said Marianne Sunderland, who lives in suburban Thousand Oaks with her husband and their seven children. She is expecting an eighth child in a few days.
Magnetic Entertainment shopped the show but never found a buyer, she said, and the family eventually reacquired the rights to its story. She added that family members have no interest in trying to shop them again.
The company, which did some initial filming, still lists plans for a reality show and a documentary on its website. But the state Franchise Tax Board said Monday that Magnetic's business license was suspended for failure to pay back taxes. Company officials did not respond to phone calls or e-mails.
"At the time it seemed like a good thing," Marianne Sunderland said of a reality show. "Everyone we were working with was super friendly and seemed to have plans for a good show."
Since then, she noted, the family has been relentlessly criticized for letting their teenage son and daughter attempt to sail around the world alone. They have also been ridiculed for the size of their family and sometimes accused of using their children to become wealthy and famous.
Such criticism, as well as the attempts of others to enrich themselves, has soured the family on media attention, Marianne Sunderland said.
She said her daughter has indicated she may write a book just to chronicle her adventures, but said the family isn't pursuing a book deal.


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Olmesartan: Drug Safety Communication - FDA Review Finds Cardiovascular Risks for Diabetics Not Conclusive
Audience: Cardiology, Pharmacy, Family Practice, Endocrinology
Includes: Benicar, Benicar HCT, Azor, Tribenzor, and Generics
[Posted 06/24/2014]
ISSUE: FDA has completed its safety review and has found no clear evidence of increased cardiovascular risks associated with use of the blood pressure medication olmesartan in diabetic patients (see previous alerts linked below). FDA believes the benefits of olmesartan in patients with high blood pressure continue to outweigh the potential risks.
BACKGROUND: FDA safety review was prompted by the results of the ROADMAP trial. The ROADMAP (Randomized Olmesartan and Diabetes Microalbuminuria Prevention) clinical trial examined the effects of olmesartan in patients with type 2 diabetes, to see whether olmesartan could delay kidney damage. There was an unexpected finding of increased risk of cardiovascular death in the olmesartan group compared to the group taking a placebo, or sugar pill. However, the risk of non-fatal heart attack was lower in the olmesartan-treated patients. To evaluate these findings, FDA reviewed additional studies, including a large study in Medicare patients.
RECOMMENDATION: Patients should not stop taking olmesartan or any blood pressure medication without first discussing it with their health care professional. Recommendations for use of olmesartan remain the same, but FDA will require information about some of the studies to be included in the drug labels.
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
- Complete and submit the report Online: www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm
- Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
[06/24/2014 - Drug Safety Communication - FDA]
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Audi A7 Sportback | 55 TFSI e Quattro Competition Vorsprung 5dr S Tron
Audi A7 Sportback Overview
I would like all maintenance and service costs included
Initial Rental (Personal)
POA inc VAT
Initial Rental (Business)
POA ex VAT
Contract Length
24 Months
Processing fee
£199.99 ex VAT
Standard Options
- Adaptive windscreen wipers with integrated washer jets
- Front and rear electric windows
- Heat insulating glass in side and rear windows
- Privacy glass with dark tinting on rear side windows and rear window
- Rain and light sensors
- Windscreen with acoustic glazing
- Electromechanical parking brake
- Electronic stabilisation control including ABS, ASR and EDL
- Hill hold assist
- Red brake callipers
- S line front and rear floor mats with contrast stitching
- Sports suspension
- Audi connect safety and service (e-call)
- Audi phone box with wireless charging
- Audi smartphone interface
- Voice control system
- 360 degree parking camera
- Audi drive select
- Audi parking system plus with front and rear sensors
- Lane departure warning system
- Progressive steering
- Automatic start/stop system with coasting functionality
- Electric boot lid release
- Operating buttons in black, glass look with haptic feedback
- Power door closure
- Power operated tailgate
- Amazon alexa Integration
- Audi virtual cockpit - 12.3" high resolution LCD digital instrument cluster display
- Colour driver's information system display
- Head up Display
- MMI nav plus with MMI touch 10.1" and 8.6" HD haptic touch screen/3D city models/country information/online map/route info and personal route assist
- Service indicator
- Electrically adjustable heated and folding automatically dimming exterior mirrors with memory function
- Frameless auto dimming rear view mirror
- Gloss black exterior mirror housings
- Fine grain ash natural grey brown inlay
- 52 litre fuel tank
- Type 2 mode 3 32 amp charging cable
- Type 2 socket for AC charging
- Audi music interface - 2 USB ports with charger and data functions
- Audi music interface at rear
- Auxiliary input socket
- Bang Olufsen premium sound system
- DAB digital radio module
- Gloss black highlights on the exterior area of the Audi Single frame
- Gloss black highlights on the front and rear bumpers
- Gloss black highlights on the radiator grille
- Gloss black highlights on the side windows trim strips
- High gloss black air inlets
- High gloss black radiator grille with chrome single frame surround
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- Retractable rear spoiler
- S Line badge on front fender
- S Line Black rear diffuser with chrome inlays and rear grille
- S Line side skirts
- Solid paint
- Audi Beam
- Coming/leaving home animations in front and rear
- HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light
- Headlight washers
- LED rear lights
- Signature LED daytime running lights
- 4 zone deluxe automatic climate control
- 3 pin 10 amp domestic charging cable
- 3 Spoke flat bottom high multi-function leather steering wheels with shift paddles
- Aluminium gear knob
- Black cloth headlining
- Electric adjustable steering column
- Front centre armrest
- Leatherette upper instrument panel and door shoulders
- Stainless steel pedals and foot rest
- Tool kit and car jack
- Valcona leather upholstery with diamond stitching and super sport seats S embossed logo
- City assist pack - A7
- Extended LED Interior multi coloured light pack - A7
- Full Leather pack - A7
- Non smoking pack - A7
- Storage pack - A7
- Tour pack - A7
- 3 point seatbelts on all seats
- Driver and passenger airbags
- Extended pedestrian protection measures
- Front and rear side airbags with head airbag system
- Seatbelt monitoring
- Tyre pressure warning light
- Warning triangle and first aid kit
- 4-way electric lumbar support
- 40/20/40 split folding 3 seater rear seat bench with rear centre armrest
- Electrically adjustable front seats - driver seat with memory
- Front and rear headrests
- Heated front and rear seats
- ISOFIX child seat mounting and Top Tether with front passenger airbag deactivation
- Advanced key
- Anti theft alarm with tow away protection
- Anti-theft wheel bolts and wheel loosening detection
- Immobiliser
- Preparation for tracking system
- Remote central locking
- Towbar preparation
- Quattro on demand
- Illuminated sun visors with vanity mirrors
- 20" 5 twin spoke V design cast aluminium alloy wheels
- Tyre repair kit
Technical Options
- HC+NOx: N
- Particles: N
- Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
- Catalytic Convertor: True
- Engine Codes: 4KA0QY
- Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH
- Fuel Type: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION
- Gears: 7 SPEED
- Valve gear: DOHC
- EC: True
- Any aspect of the vehicles safety cause concern?: Data Not Available
- Badge Engine CC: 149
- Badge Power: 7.4
- Based On ID: N
- Coin Description: TFSI e Quattro
- Coin Series: CompetitionVorsprung
- Man Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12
- Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3
- NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N
- NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N
- NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 367
- NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 2.0
- NCAP Safety Assist %: M1
- Service Interval Frequency - Months: N
- Special Edition: Data Not Available
- Special Order: Data Not Available
- Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000
- Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
- This vehicle is classed as a car for VED purposes: 12
- Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N
- Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N
- VAT qualifying vehicle - Seek advice from HMRC: N
- Vehicle Homologation Class: 0-100
- 0 to 60: Data Not Available
- 0 to 62: 5.6
- Engine Power KW: 270
- Engine Power RPM: 5000
- Engine Torque LBS.FT: 337
- Engine Torque MKG: 51
- Engine Torque NM: 500
- Engine Torque RPM: 1600
- PS: True
- Top Speed: 155
- Alloys?: True
- Space Saver?: Data Not Available
- Tyre Size Front: 255/40 R20
- Tyre Size Rear: 255/40 R20
- Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
- Wheel Style: 5 V TWIN SPOKE
- Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY
- Height: N
- Height (including roof rails): 1422
- Length: 4969
- Wheelbase: 2926
- Width (excluding mirrors): 1908
- Width (including mirrors): 2118
- Boot Capacity Saloons: 380
- Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 52
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 2650
- Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2000
- Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750
- Minimum Kerbweight: 2065
- No. of Seats: 5
- Payload: 585
Audi A7 Sportback HATCHING A SMARTER PLAN (74/100)
Audi's A7 Sportback offers a smarter, more unique option to Executive segment buyers and the Ingolstadt maker has put a lot of effort into updating this second generation version. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.
Ten Second Review
The second generation Audi A7 Sportback has been carefully but comprehensively updated, with smarter styling, revised engines, a hi-tech all-digital cockpit and a range of intelligent driver assistance systems. It's still a beautifully constructed thing but now offers just that little bit more polish in the face of some very talented rivals.
You might think that a full-sized Executive car - say something like an Audi A6, a BMW 5 Series or a Mercedes E-Class - was a pretty desirable thing. Buyers in this segment though, don't always agree, which is why in recent times, so many of them have drifted away into up-market SUVs and crossovers. In response over the last few years, the prestige brands have produced more dynamic and individual four and five-door designs to sell alongside their standard executive models. Here's Audi's offering, a much improved second generation A7 Sportback. As before, the underpinnings feature some of Audi's more exclusive technology, the kind of thing you'd find in the brand's luxury segment A8 saloon. This car though can be more efficient than any A8. That'll be important for business segment buyers, but I've a suspicion that it's technology that'll really sell them this car. Much of this is optional of course, but if you tick the right boxes for things like the hi-tech Matrix headlights and the advanced autonomous driving and connectivity technology, this car really can be state of the art.
Driving Experience
A7 Sportback buyers choose between four engines. There's a 204PS four cylinder TDI engine in the '40 TDI' version, offered with either front wheel drive or quattro 4WD. Then there's a 340PS 3.0 TFSI petrol unit in the '55 TFSI' variant, which comes mated to a 7-speed S tronic auto gearbox. Many customers though, will want either the 231PS '45 TDI' or the 286PS '50 TDI' variants, both of which use a 3.0-litre diesel using Audi's MHEV mild hybrid technology, this unit mated to 8-speed tiptronic auto transmission. Both six cylinder derivatives feature quattro 4WD and buyers choose between four suspension options, including updated adaptive air suspension that makes the car feel supple and luxurious during cruising without curbing its ability to iron out more challenging roads. Through the corners, you'll appreciate a new 'Progressive steering' system, which features a ratio that becomes more direct as lock is applied. And for optimal ability through the switchbacks and increased lower-speed manoeuvrability, dynamic all-wheel-steering is also available from the options list, as is the quattro sport differential which actively distributes drive torque between the rear wheels for maximum cornering adjustability. As usual with Audi models, there's a 'drive select' driving modes system that activates different drive profiles that tweak steering, throttle response, steering feel and ride characteristics. Audi says that this time round, the differentiation between comfort and dynamic options is more pronounced than in the previous model.
Design and Build
With its large surfaces, sharp edges and taut, athletic lines, the second generation A7 Sportback draws inspiration from the Audi prologue concept study that spearheaded the introduction of the latest Audi design language. Like the larger A8 saloon, one of this model's key defining features is a flat light strip which creates a continuous light pattern across the rear. The digital cabin's completely new and very futuristic, with a sleek instrument panel adding to the feeling of airy spaciousness. Compared with the previous model, interior length has increased by 21 millimetres, resulting in more rear knee room. Rear passengers also enjoy more head room. A three-seat rear bench is standard for UK models, and when its backrest is fully stowed, the luggage compartment capacity expands from 535-litres to a generous 1,390-litres. As with the A8, the communications hub of this A7 Sportback is Audi's latest MMI touch response' operating package which is based around 10.1-inch upper and 8.6-inch lower touchscreen displays which appear to blend into the dashboard when switched off. The two large, high resolution touch displays replace the rotary controller and satellite button system used by the previous model. They provide haptic and acoustic feedback as confirmation when a fingertip triggers a function.
Market and Model
Prices square up fairly closely to rival BMW's 6 Series GT and Mercedes Benz CLS models, starting at around £47,000. There's a choice of two trim levels, 'Sport' and 'S line'. The specification is appropriately high, with LED front and rear lights, 19-inch alloy wheels, leather-upholstered seats with full electric adjustment upfront, LED ambient interior lighting and the fully digital Audi Virtual Cockpit all supplied as standard. The infotainment set-up is Audi's top 'MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch' system, which features the Audi Smartphone Interface and the Audi Phone Box system, which includes wireless charging for QI-enabled compatible phones. The list of electronic driver assistants features the 'Audi Parking System Plus' set-up with rear-view camera. In addition, you get the Audi Pre-sense Front collision warning and automatic braking system and Lane Departure Warning. 'S line' specification ramps up the visual appeal even further with 20-inch alloy wheels, HD Matrix LED headlights with dynamic front and rear indicators, sport suspension and S line-specific body styling. Inside, the front sport seats are upholstered in leather and Alcantara and there's 'S line'-specific interior detailing.
Cost of Ownership
A core component of the standard technology package fitted to all A7 Sportback models is the mild hybrid drivetrain (MHEV) engineering made possible by the newly introduced 48-volt primary electrical system. At speeds of between 34 and 99mph, it enables the V6 engines to be deactivated and the A7 Sportback to coast in freewheeling mode. The Belt Alternator Starter re-fires the engine smoothly and comfortably after coasting, and is capable of channelling up to 12kW of energy back into the lithium ion battery during recuperative braking. The start-stop function has also been significantly expanded and now activates at 13mph. In combination with the standard front camera, the engine is restarted predictively while at a standstill as soon as the vehicle ahead begins to move. In real-world driving, the MHEV technology reduces fuel consumption by up to 0.7 litres every 62 miles. As a result, the volume 2.0-litre 40 TDI diesel version manages 60.1mpg on the combined cycle and 122g/km of CO2. The 3.0-litre '50 TDI' diesel variant can manage 50.4mpg on the combined cycle when on 19-inch wheels - and a CO2 return of 147g/km. The '45 TDI' derivative delivers 50.4mpg and 147g/km. For the alternative 3.0-litre petrol-powered '55 TFSI' model, the figures on 19-inch wheels are 40.4mpg and 158g/km.
This second generation Audi A7 Sportback is clearly a car that a massive amount of thought and development budget has been ploughed into. It's a very considered thing, a car which pushes boundaries with its styling and engine technology but which feels reassuringly familiar to drive. The latest model improves the oily bits while at the same time keeping the look fresh and the technology indoors bang up to date. Every part of this car has been designed with a thoroughness that's deeply impressive, if sometimes rather clinical. Of course, the end result is hardly inexpensive - and you'll need to spend plenty on options to fully sharpen its driving manners. Still, if that's not an issue, then you're likely to find this A7 very desirable indeed. It is perhaps the definitive expression of how Audi wants you to perceive its brand. Not all executive decisions should be difficult. Here's one you should enjoy making.
Why use All Car Leasing?
Browse alternate Audi A7 Sportback models
See other trim levels:


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Another variation on meatballs. This is a recipe for soutzoukakia from Smirni - Smirnaika Soutzoukakia. They are ideally served with rice and are very easy to prepare - you'll notice from the photo that the sauce can be added on top of the rice as well as on the soutzoukakia. Another favourite with kids, we have found.
For the Soutzoukakia
½ kg beef mincemeat
1 egg lightly beaten
2 tablespoons fine breadcrumbs
50 ml red wine
2 cloves crushed garlic
½ teaspoon cumin powder
Salt and pepper
150g all purpose flour
250 ml sunflower oil
For the Sauce
½ kg fresh ripe tomatoes
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 tablespoon butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Put all the ingredients - apart from the flour and the sunflower oil - in a mixing bowl.
Knead well with your hands.
Form the oval-shaped soutzoukakia (see photo) and arrange them on a floured tray. Lightly cover them with flour.
In a heavy bottomed pan, fry the soutzoukakia in the sunflower oil, a few at a time.
Puree the tomatoes.
In a pan, add the other ingredients to the tomato puree, bring to the boil and then simmer for 15 minutes.
Arrange the fried soutzoukakia in a shallow oven dish and spread the sauce over them.
Bake in a pre heated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes.
If you've tried this recipe please rate it!
If you've tried this recipe please rate it!
Eat And Enjoy!


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Pack 24's
Home Page
How to Join
Cub Scout Pack 24
(Asheville, North Carolina)
Contact Our Pack
Member Login
Welcome to the Pack 24 Website!
Pack 24 is located in Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 789 Merrimon Ave. in North Asheville,
Asheville, NC. We serve 1st through 5th grade boys primarily from Ira B. Jones, Isaac Dickson and Claxton Elementary schools; however, any 7 to 10 year olds from Buncombe County are welcome to join the pack. We are a vibrant, growing, active Pack! The Pack currently consists of 30 boys, who meet in small, grade-level assigned groups, called dens. Each den has a volunteer adult leader and assistant leader(s).
Boys may enter Cub Scouting at any level, according to their age. Each rank (Tiger Cubs, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos) offers its own challenges, but these challenges are not dependent upon earning a previous rank. Pack 24 welcomes new boys at any level.
Like all Cub Scout Packs, we belong to a regional council. Ours is the
Daniel Boone Council of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
; it's made up of 14 counties in Western North Carolina. Our district within the council is called SoQua. The SoQua district is comprised of all of the Cubs Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops in Buncombe County.
For more, general information on Cub Scouts, visit the BSA website by clicking
If you have questions about joining our Pack, please contact Pack Leader Rick Phillipsen at firstname.lastname@example.com
(Last edited 10/2018)
© Copyright 2011 ScoutLander LLC, All Rights Reserved.
ScoutLander.com is not officially associated with or endorsed by the Boy Scouts of America.
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text:
Whether spicy or mild, our Bonafide™ Chicken is marinated for at least 12 hours, then hand-battered, hand-breaded and bursting with bold Louisiana flavour.
Get the Details >>
Choose from a selection of exclusive Louisiana sides for your meal!
See the Sides >>
We marinate our seafood in authentic Louisiana seasonings and spices and serve it up crispy in our unique Southern Style breading.
Get the Details >>


text:
Earlier this morning, Delanie Walker sent out the following tweet:
On Monday, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported that two people had been killed by a drunk driver in a fiery crash early that morning:
State Police said Nechole Thomas, 26, of Houston, was driving a 2002 Mercedes C230 at a high rate of speed on the right shoulder of westbound elevated I-10 around 5:30 a.m. Monday and smashed into the back of a 2012 Nissan Altima that was stopped on the shoulder for unknown reasons.
Thomas was able to escape from her vehicle with minor injuries as both cars began burning. When the fire was extinguished, authorities discovered two occupants inside the Altima. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
State Police said the identities of the two people killed in the accident have not been determined "due to the extent of the injuries.'' Autopsies are pending, State Police said.
Photo via


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Professional Community for Car Dealers, Marketing, Advertising and Sales Leaders
Business Intelligence just released a new presentation on "The Future of Digital".
Some of these slides were included in their previous slidedeck on "The State of the Internet" which I posted on our blog available at albrightdigital.com, but there is a lot of new data as well. I've summarized some of the key highlights below. The slidedeck is 137 slides, but well worth the read!
Business Intelligence: The Future of Digital
The Future of Digital: Highlights
There are many great take-aways from this presentation from Business Intelligence. It covers Internet growth, smartphone and tablet growth, digital advertising, print, TV, mobile usage and mobile revenue trends. Here are some of the highlights:
General Internet and PC/ Tablet/ Smartphone:
Digital Advertising:
Mobile Usage/ Revenue:
It is a 4-screen world, and it is here to stay!
Views: 392
© 2020 Created by Ralph Paglia. Powered by


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- – 35%
N2 NOBILE SNOWBOARD WOLFIE 2019Price From:
Regular Price: €299.00
Special Price €194.00
Dear customers.
In caring for your health and in accordance with the recommendations of the Health and Safety Department we would like to ensure that your orders are prepared with the best care.
We are hoping this global difficult time with COVID-19 end pretty soon and things will return to their normal course, fingers crossed.
Stay safe . We wish you all the best, and thank you for staying with Nobile.
Regular Price: €299.00
Special Price €194.00


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The Art of Learning
After-School Arts Program Helps At-Risk Girls
Soon after seventh-grader Martha Turcios learned that floorcloths were hand-painted canvas floor coverings made by women in Colonial times, she set out to make one of her own. Floorcloths are one of many art projects Martha has taken on as part of Alexandria's "SOHO" program, an art-based mentoring program for at-risk girls.
SOHO stands for Space Of Her Own, which defines the end goal of the program: to help each girl construct a beautiful, personalized space where she can do homework, journal, reflect, and enjoy a private space away from the distractions of a busy, often chaotic household.
SOHO girls are matched with volunteer female mentors who are not professional artists, but are willing to attend weekly art classes together with the girls to help them learn artistic concepts and techniques and create expressive and functional objects of art for their bedrooms. Projects have included "dream chests," mirrors, personalized desk chairs, lamps, and wall hangings.
"When I first saw the drawing for my floorcloth, I didn't think I could do it," says Turcios, who attends Francis C. Hammond Middle School. "But I loved all the colors and patterns. It looked bright and confusing and I wanted to try something difficult."
Taking on challenges is what the program is all about, says Amy Creed, a social studies teacher at Francis C. Hammond Middle School and a SOHO program director. "When you take a risk, push your boundaries, and create something beautiful, that's the best confidence builder out there. That confidence then spills over into the other academic subjects. We're exposing girls to achievement through art."
As the girls work on their art projects, they're also talking with their mentors about schoolwork and college, something many of these girls may never have discussed as a real possibility.
T.C. Williams High School history teacher Laura Beers, another program director, is also the daughter of a fine artist. She doesn't mess around with "popsicle stick" projects; she dives right into textiles, glass, paint, and woodworking, and introduces the girls to concepts like color theory, and principles of design and composition.
"When they're finished, they have a beautiful piece of art and they see the rewards of planning, patience, and concentration," says Beers. "These are skills they can apply to school—essays, for example, take a lot of planning, brainstorming, outlining, and concentration.
To take something that was in their mind and turn it into a real tangible thing makes these girls feel tremendously successful."


text: Sears should have morphed into Amazon. In the 1980s, ordering from the Sears catalog was as common as getting your socks and books from Amazon today. The catalog was filled with the latest fashions, tools from Sears' Craftsman line, and even go-carts. Always on the pulse of the nation, the catalog also included an electronics section that served audiophiles, home theater geeks, and the occasional budding programmer. Here are some of the gems from the electronics and other sections that could have been yours from the Fall/Winter 1983 catalog:Timex Sinclair 1000 Computer: $49 Catalog Description: 2K memory expands to a powerful 16K. Most of the 40 keys are programmed for up to five commands. "One Touch" keyword entry system eliminates a great deal of typing keywords (RUN, LIST, PRINT, etc) all have their own single key entry. Pressure Sensitive, plastic membrane keyboard. The Timex Sinclair 1000 Computer was the entry-level computer for anyone interested in computing. While it didn't measure up to more sophisticated offerings from Atari and Texas Instruments, it could still connect to any TV and read and write to a compatible cassette recorder. If you splurged on the $40 16K RAM expansion, you could even play some of the hottest black and white games on the market. The real power of the Sinclair 1000 was teaching you how to program in BASIC -- something that would be helpful years later when you wanted to understand "20 GOTO 10" jokes. All of this and it was $48 cheaper in the Fall/Winter 1983 catalog than the one prior. Now that's a value!Uniden Cordless Phones: $250 Catalog Description: The digital coded security system allows you to program any one of 256 possible security code combinations in your EX-6000 to prevent unauthorized access to your phone system. Programmable auto dialer stores up to thee numbers (16 digits each) and dials them from memory on a simple 2-button command. Back when you could still lease a phone from the phone company, cordless phones started appearing in the fanciest of homes. The idea of walking around your house while talking on the phone was a freedom that naturally appealed to the chattier Sears customer. But the early cordless phones were also about as secure as yelling your private information out of the window. The Uniden EX-6000 boasted security worthy of, well, not the government. Maybe on par with sending a letter in an envelope instead of via postcard. But the technology bullet train didn't stop there. The phone could also hold three numbers in memory and featured a base station that doubled as a speaker phone. Which if you were near an open window, well, you see the security implications.Boom Box: $250 Catalog Description: Boom Box with two detachable two-way speakers for greater sound separation, Dolby noise reduction. Automatic program selection system with record mute, metal tape capability. The Boom Box (or Ghetto Blaster, if you were inclined to naming devices after economically depressed areas of a metropolitan area) was the official on-the-go party machine. It brought the party to the streets unlike any device before it. Capable of playing both radio stations and your tapes, you could not escape the deafening roar of the D battery-powered mobile speakers. The Boom Box available from Sears has detachable speakers so you can point your jams anywhere you want. The controls are soft touch so you won't hurt your index finger pressing play, and the sound level LEDs are all the light show you need. Sure, we have smartphones and Bluetooth speakers in this magical new century, but having a boom box at your next picnic will make you a lot cooler.VHS - Beta: $890 Catalog Description: Sears Best Beta VCR has four-day, eight-program advance programming, multi-function infrared wireless remote control plus noise-free special effects and more! Quartz synthesized electronic tuner. Everyday function lets you program unit to record program at the same time everyday. Hindsight is 20/20, according to everyone who's made a huge mistake. We still feel particularly bad for those who spent nearly $1,000 on a VCR tied to the losing video cassette format. VHS overtook Beta and became the compatible VCRs ended up on top of all our TVs. Sure, Beta was the superior format. But VHS was everywhere by 1983, and the format helped us record our favorite episodes of The A-Team. That is, until the DVD showed up and kicked VCRs to the curb.Portable Cassette Player: $60 Catalog Description: Anti-rolling mechanism helps keep cassette playing evenly if jarred. Sears didn't sell the Sony Walkman in its catalog. Instead it sold its own SR-branded audio items. Of course, the Sears SR 21162 mini stereo cassette player was probably built by a third party. Regardless of the brand name, portable cassette players were incredibly popular during the '80s. This $60 player included an all-important mute switch, and also had an LED to warn you when your four AA batteries were about to die. Or course, it had rewind and fast-forward buttons too, but real pros knew you would rewind your cassettes by sticking them on the end of a pencil and spinning it in circles to save your batteries.Video Disc Player: $290 Catalog Description: Two-speed visual search quickly lets you find the movie scene you want. Semi-automatic loading plays both stereo and mono CED-format discs. A Capacitance Electronic Disc (CED) was not a LaserDisc. Instead, it was an analog format developed by RCA that worked more like a vinyl record and had zero to do with lasers. If you thought that buying a Beta VCR was a bad idea, buying a CED player was disastrous. But if you were an early adopter who was fine with a 50-movie catalog that would be physically worn down by the player until they were unplayable, Sears was happy to sell you their player. You could, however, pause a video while you visited the bathroom, and return "without missing any action."Atari 1200 XL: $600 Catalog Description: Stimulate your mind and senses with the thrill of video games, the challenge of programming and the creativity of of graphics and sound. Powerful 64K memory handles complex programs. Full-sized, full-stroke, typewriter-like keyboard, 55 alphanumeric keys plus 11 special function keys. Upper/lower case, full-screen editing, 4 independent sound voices covering 3.5 octaves, and 256 brilliant colors. The Matthew Broderick hacker-film WarGames had just landed in theaters and the Apple Macintosh had yet to be announced. This left the Atari 1200 XL as the undisputed computing king in the Sears catalog. Atari was the number one videogame brand in the early 1980s, and many a kid probably received the Atari computer based on name recognition alone. For the serious nerd, the Atari Communicator II Kit ($260) came with a modem and Telelink II cartridge. How else were you going to hack into NORAD and start a thermonuclear war. Thanks, Mom and Dad!Canon AE-1 Program: $280 Catalog Description: Black vinyl-covered metal body with chrome plated trim. Features exposure preview switch memory lock, stop-down lever, and convenient "action grip" to provide a firm grip. Viewfinder shows manual mode, program mode, aperture scale, stopped down metering index, flash ready, and focusing information. The Canon AE-1 was the camera to have in the late 1970s early 1980s. The first SLR with a microprocessor sold over a million units, and the camera made plenty of hobbyists happy with its shutter priority auto exposure. Like many other pieces of electronics in the catalog, consumers could opt for the Sears brand version. But why pass up a quality brand-name SLR for $280?Steam in a Cabinet: $390 Catalog Description: Molded fiberglass body. Door has full length stainless steel hinges and seals of neoprene; opens from inside and outside. Why visit a sauna to sweat out all those horrible toxins. This "Gonna Make You Sweat" quasi-torture device can help you steam it up without peeling the paint in your home. Just step inside and enjoy the hot, wet allure of heated water while looking like Captain Pike from Star Trek.Sensaphone: $200 Catalog Description: Sensaphone is a unique monitoring system that calls and tells you about conditions inside your home or business if there's a problem during your absence. It will keep calling you and 3 other people you designated until someone is alerted. Before Nest and the Internet of Things pushed more data than you can handle to your smartphone, the Sensaphone was the Telephone of Things. The phone accessory would call you (and three of your friends) and warn you if the smoke detector had gone off, if the temperature in your home hit an extreme, if a security alarm went off, or if the power went out. A backup battery made sure pesky things like a power outage couldn't stop the power of the Sensaphone. If the Sensaphone existed today, it might now have a beautiful screen, or allow you to adjust the temperature or turn off a light. Back in the '80s though, it called you in "ENGLISH" to warn you that maybe the family room was on fire. What more do you want from the Telephone of Things?10 Speeds: $260 Catalog Description: Suteki Bikes are built to meet the demands of serious bikers and have these features for lightness and high performance. We love our bicycles here at Wired. How many gears do these bikes have? Maybe 21? Possibly 10. People stopped counting years ago. It's up to the rider and whatever random high-dollar gears they cram on their bike. During the 1980s, 10 gears was the preferred number for riding around town in shorts that in hindsight could have been a touch longer. You could buy a 10-speed from Sears for less than $300. That's a pretty good deal. Just strap a boom box to the handlebars and you're the rolling party that's not afraid of a few steep inclines. "I got 10 gears. Bring it, hills."Computer Glossary: Free Catalog Description: Access Time - the time it takes for info to be written to or read from a diskette, cassette, or Wafertape. Many a nerd in 1983 tore out this page and pasted it to their wall. Right now those kids are rolling around in giant vats of money. Or they have fond recollections of their school's computer lab and late-night Dungeons & Dragons parties. Either way, these were the trailblazers of today's technology and Sears helped them clear the road for the Internet, smartphones, and comment sections filled with bile. Sears was taking up valuable catalog space (they could have always crammed another set of hideous-looking drapes into their catalog) to educate its customers about computers. While some of the lingo is lost to the ongoing march of technology, some of the terms are still in use by nerds just like you and I.All photos: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED


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Bob Weber Sr. attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City, and started his career as an illustrator for several local trade journals. Starting in 1959, he made humorous drawings for Laff-a-Day and the Saturday Evening Post, and provided jokes to other cartoonists' comics, like 'Barney Google'. He eventually moved to Connecticut, where he became the assistant of Dick Cavalli on 'Winthrop'.
He created his own strip, called 'Moose Miller', in 1965. The strip is still syndicated by King Features to about 75 papers, under the title 'Moose & Molly'. Weber has additionally taught cartooning at the Smithsonian Institution and several libraries and YMCAs in Connecticut. His son, Bob Weber Jr., is also a cartoonist.
He should not be confused with The New Yorker cartoonist Robert Weber (1924-2016).


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Recently Pastor Jeff Giles, WTS, 1994, visited the Wartburg Seminary campus and shared his time, presence and ministry with us. He shared his story both informally and formally in his presentation, "Finding God in a Chemo Drip."
As background, Pastor Jeff was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) seven years ago along with an underlying disease, Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).The MDS can sometimes be treated for years before it converts to the more deadly AML; however Pastor Jeff's converted prior to his initial diagnosis and has relapsed once since then. Pastor Jeff is considered terminally ill.
Being terminally ill altered Pastor Jeff's ministry in many ways that have been and continue to surprise him and others, and yet he, and his wife, Jennae, continue to share their journey and their faith – continue to minister. They persist in their ministries.
Pastor Jeff ministered to us by simply sharing his journey and his faith. He shared his faith speaking through God's word, beginning not surprisingly through the 23rd Psalm. He went on to interpret, "No matter what happens in our life, in our joys and in our sorrows on the mountain tops and deep down in the darkest of valleys, our God is with us to help us, and through us, to help others as well."
As Pastor Jeff made space for the common question, "Why me?" the Psalm 22 was quoted:
1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
2O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest.
The question of "why me?" and of questioning God in anger and despair was familiar to me as it relates to my own personal journey and my daughter's death. Thankfully the journey towards, "why not me?" is also familiar. Pastor Jeff articulated this journey in a beautiful, faithful way that I hope to embody in my own life and ministry as he lifted up the normalcy of asking why alongside the progress of lament psalms, such as psalm 22. He affirmed that during a cancer diagnosis one grieves many things and this questioning is a healthy part of that grief and of our faith life. One of the things grieved is the loss of a future, and this loss connects to those touched by cancer as well as many other tragedies. In my experience I've found this to be a nearly universal part of the grief journey no matter what the details of the loss are.
Then Pastor Jeff asked, "What if we were to turn this 'why me?' question around and ask a different question – 'why not me?'" Clearly, nobody deserves a cancer diagnosis or any other "why me" tragedies, and yet bad things happen. In our grief journey there comes a turning point just as there is a turning point in lament psalms. Pastor Jeff reminds us that lament Psalms such as Psalm 22 are helpful as we move from lament to praise. While assuring us to not be afraid of the "why me's," Pastor Jeff also cautioned us to not get stuck there. He shared that moving toward and to the "why not me's" is "where you will find peace and joy even in the midst of a horrible disease, having been comforted in that darkest valley by the shepherd's rod and staff."
During our time together Pastor Jeff's prophetic voice was also able to authentically give voice to the fullness of his journey. He discussed avoiding platitudes or "greeting- card theology" and lifted up listening and responding to where each person is at in their journey and to accompany others as God accompanies us, "holding everyone, walking with them through the shadows, even the shadows of death."
I was once told that while not everyone receives a cure, there can always be healing. I embraced that and yet struggled to articulate and live into in my ministry. Pastor Jeff shared his belief on healing as he encouraged us toward a broader understanding of healing, "To see that healing is more than physical. . . . it can also be mental, and it can also be spiritual. . . . God's healing will give us the strength we need to face the day even when we are physically, mentally, and spiritually broken. . . .We can feel the healing presence of God in each and every day. . ." The encouragement was both personalized to Jeff's journey with cancer and broadened to include the journeys of all humanity struggling with death and grief. He said, "We might think, how is it possible to go down into that dark valley of the shadow once again? Yet, God's healing presence is there by our side, having gone ahead of us to meet us where we are, and to accompany us on the journey, comforted by our Shepherd's rod and staff."
Rather than common one-liners and platitudes Pastor Jeff encourages us to direct hard questions of grief and theology boldly, and he continued to do so during our time with us, and he also continues to do so as he shares his own journey as well as ministry through his online journal at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/pastorjeff.
In closing Pastor Jeff shared a poem (see link below) with those of us gathered to hear and learn together. Jennae, Jeff's wife, wrote the poem for him in the spring of 2000 to use in the funeral sermon of a teenage girl who had taken her own life. The poem fits a broader context as we seek to wrap our minds around all of the terrible thing that happen in life.


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US Soccer announced today the potential matchups for the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The Houston Dynamo will face the winner of the second round match between the San Antonio Scorpions (NASL) and FC Tucson. Those two teams will square off on Tuesday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Toyota Field in San Antonio.
If the Scorpions win, they will host the Dynamo the following week at Toyota Field. If FC Tucson wins, they will travel to Houston to take on the Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium. Regardless of the opponent, the match will be played on Wednesday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m.
The 2013 U.S. Open Cup marks the 100th edition of the tournament as U.S. Soccer is in the midst of its Centennial celebration. The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest cup competition in United States soccer.
The Dynamo lost to San Antonio 1-0 in the third round of last year's tournament. Houston's best finishes came in 2006 and 2009 when they advanced to the semifinals fo the tournament.
Click here for more information on the third round matchups.


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NOYNOY AQUINO and Jejomar Binay topped ABS-CBN and Pulse Asia's exit polls. Mar Roxas is now thinking of a 'gracepoll' exit.
But another report says, until the last vote is counted, Mar Roxas will not concede the vice presidency… and Korina Sanchez will not concede to Dr. Ellen B.
Happy Birthday!
Sen. Mar Roxas is celebrating his 53rd birthday today, May 13. This morning, he got the surprise of his life when Korina Sanchez blew his candle.
Rumors say Mar Roxas wants to invite everyone, including his political enemies to a Tom and Jerry-themed party. Roxas wants to play Tom, Binay will be the Jerry.
But his wife Korina insists on having a cowboy-themed celebration. She can't wait to shoot Chiz Escudero.
Korina has also rejected another suggestion to have a Batibot-inspired party. She really hates Kiko Matsing.
Doňa Judy Araneta-Roxas has another idea though. She wants her son to invite Nanay Curing Villar for a Barney and Friends Birthday Party. You know, dinosaurs.
Why, even the newest Liberal, Joey Salceda has a suggestion – an X-Men themed event!
Several Iglesia ni Cristo members have confirmed attendance to Mar Roxas' party. But the INC members will bring just one common gift for him.
Loren Legarda will also attend the party. But before accepting the invitation, she made sure that ABS-CBN is not covering it live and no Wireless Audience Response System will be used during the event.
Unconfirmed reports say Inquirer's Conrado De Quiros has been invited to speak at the birthday party. So expect the columnist to endorse Roxas in the next elections.
You know who else is celebrating his birthday today? Robert Pattinson. Yeah, sharing the same birthday today are Robert Pattinson and Mar Roxas – one whose career was launched via 'Twilight' and another who's in the twilight of his career.
Top 10 Birthday Messages Left on Sen. Mar Roxas' Answering Machine
No. 10: "Hi Senator, this is TJ Manotoc. I have good news on your birthday. Got two complimentary tix here for the repeat concert of Tears for Fears. Would you like to watch the show with Korina?"
No. 9: "Mar, si Loren 'to. Ayaw ko nang makipagplastikan. Prangkahan na. Kung malungkot ka sa iyong birthday dahil nakakalamang si Binay, ako hindi. Masayang-masaya ako for Mayor Binay. At ito ang tandaan mo: kung kay Noli De Castro, never akong nag-concede, lalong hindi sa 'yo!"
No. 8: "Isang mainit na pagbati sa iyong kaarawan Senador Roxas! Si Chiz Escudero ito. Ilang tulog na lang, 2016 na. Handa ka na ba?"
No. 7: "Hello Manuel! This is your Tita Gloria Angara. Your Tito Edong is sending his warm birthday greetings to you! Pero maiba ako iho. Sino 'yung nag-iwan ng message No. 9 sa 'taas? Ang bitter naman ng babaeng 'yun. Hindi maka-move on!"
No. 6: "Mar, kumusta? Si Erap 'to. 'Wag kang malungkot. Birthday na birthday mo pa naman. Alam mo ba ang regalo ko sa 'yo? Sssssssh, 'wag kang maingay. Atin-atin lang 'to. 'Yung bise presidente ko… walang B! Walang "boto" mula sa 'kin! Ayos ba?"
No. 5: "eOw poh sEnAdOR! kMi p0Wh ANG mgA jejeMOn Ng eaSt RemBo, Mkti cItY P0wh.~ ky BiNay,~ gGNDA aNG buHay L0lZ! mAligYng Bati na Rin~ pow! JEjej3!
No. 4: "Birthday greetings Senator Roxas! Thank you so much for the support! Kung 'di po dahil sa inyo noon, wala sana ako ngayon. Nagmamahal, EVAT Law."
No. 3: "Mar, partner, si Noy 'to. Happy birthday 'tol! 'Wag kang mag-alala. Magtutulungan pa rin tayo para sa bayan dude. Kung matalo ka man, nandito pa rin ako pare. Remember, I'm still single. Since wala naman akong First Lady, baka interesado kang maging First Gentleman o kaya First Best Friend. Basta walang malisya bro."
No. 2: "Hon, alam ko birthday mo. Pero, bakit?!? Bakiiiiiiiiiiit?!? Ano ang kasalanan ko sa Itaas at pinaparusahan ako ng ganito katindi? I took a leave from my freakin' job. Sinagot kita! Ipinagtanggol kita! Pinakasalan kita! Sinipingan pa nga kita kahit medyo… eww! Pero bakit? Kulang pa ba ang mga sakripisyo kong ito?"
And the No.1 birthday message left on Sen. Mar Roxas' answering machine…
"Hi Marrrrrrrrrr! This is Krissy! Gosh! It's your birthday pala today! I almost forgot. Mabuti na lang, Tito Jojo Binay reminded me about it over dinner last night! Gosh, this is so embarrassing! Forgetful na talaga ang lola mo, pasensya na! Anyway, happy, happy birthday and I sincerely wish na ma-enjoy mo ang 'yong pagiging ordinary citizen. Pakisabi kay Tita Koring, I miss her. Well, slight. Gosh! She won't be Second Lady nga pala noh? How saaaaad! Bye, bye for now! I need to go. Oh my! Baby James, ano ba! 'Wag mong dilaan 'yang Villar bracelet. That's dirty! Gosh this kid!"
In Other News…
Former Lakas stalwart-turned-Noynoy Aquino supporter Joey "She's a lucky bitch" Salceda was re-elected governor of Albay. Sought for comment on his victory, Salceda blurted out, "Ay! Winner! Nilampaso ko nang bonggang-bongga ang candidate No. 2! As in!"
JC: 'Not yet Noynoy'
Ang Kapatiran Party standard-bearer JC De Los Reyes has withdrawn his concession to Noynoy Aquino. It takes a lot of guts to do something like that especially if you're someone who couldn't even win an election against Vetellano Acosta.
Lani in the House!
Actress Lani Mercado is now a lawmaker. Can you believe it? Well, I can't. Sampalin n'yo ko! Sampalin n'yo ko!
Lani Mercado has been elected congresswoman in Cavite. She will represent the province' district 2 – the country's congressional district with the second highest number of masochists next only to Saranggani.
Critics Proven Wrong
Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist and Noynoy Aquino endorser Conrado De Quiros, and activist lawyer Harry Roque – two of the most prominent poll automation naysayers (who doubted the capabilities of both the Comelec and Smartmatic) admitted that they have been proven wrong as the May 10 elections turned out to be a credible and successful exercise. Tinangka ni Professional Heckler na hingan ng pahayag ang dalawa ngunit kapwa sila tumanggi dahil kumakain pa raw sila… ng kanilang mga salita.
"You've got to learn to survive a defeat. That's when you develop character."
~Richard Nixon
Survey Says…
Ano ang masasabi mo sa pangkalahatang proseso ng katatapos na halalan?
Astig! Ang bilis! Sulit ang ipinila ko! 19%
Puwede na. Pero puwede pang ma-improve! 79%
Ibalik sa dati. Manual na lang tayo. 2%
We have a new survey. Please vote now.
If you still doubt Iglesia ni Cristo's ability to vote solidly as a bloc, check out these figures from Rodriguez, Rizal, a known INC stronghold: Here. And here. Another. And one more.
Sheila Coronel for CNN: In the Philippines, clans and guns still rule
Philippine Daily Inquirer: How did the Binay blitzkrieg come about?
Huli man at magaling, kailangan pa ring sabihin. Huge thanks to broadcast networks for the comprehensive coverage of the elections! Mabuhay kayo mga Kapamilya, Kapatid, Kapuso, at kung sinu-sino pang mga ka-K diyan!
Enjoy the rest of the week!


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how-it-works-04 Josh Morris 2018-05-06T14:23:56+01:00
Coronavirus Update
We are still open and emptying bins. As Key Workers in the Waste Sector we play a small but important role in sanitation and public health.
You can book online 24/7 and our office team are now working from home and can be contacted on 0161 766 3330 (Monday – Friday 8.30am -5pm).
Please note that internet speeds are slow so if you can't get through please leave a voicemail message or contact us on Live Chat, Email or Facebook Message.
We hope you are able to stay safe and well during this difficult time. BusyBins is committed to supporting our community through reliable rubbish collection.


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