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Custom Sizes and Designs for Gymnasiums
The special sizes and open space required for gymnasiums often means that traditional construction building methods and materials often make it costly, if not impossible, to budget for. General Steel offers incomparable flexibility in our steel buildings to provide a structure that accommodate all kinds of recreational activities, from swimming pools to basketball courts, even roller rinks for your business, school or church organization. General Steel can provide steel gymnasium buildings at a fraction of the cost of traditional construction.
Gymnasium Kits are Efficient and Effective
Pre-engineered steel gymnasium kits are quickly becoming the choice over conventional building types for owners, investors, and organizations that have strict budgetary limitations. General Steel is a leader in modular buildings. General Steel gymnasiums are low cost, low-maintenance, and ready to erect quickly.
General Steel Buildings Designs
General Steel metal buildings make the perfect choice for gymnasiums because they are able to accommodate wide, open spaces with clear-span construction. This allows for column-free interiors, offering uninterrupted floor usage and high ceilings that are necessary for many sporting events. These features make General Steel gymnasiums perfect for all types of indoor activities such as basketball, volleyball, prep rallies and assemblies. Even soccer fields and football fields can be enclosed in a General Steel building.
Economical Projects
A new gymnasium from General Steel can also help you save money. General Steel's buildings are specially designed to erect quickly and to be exceptionally resilient against your particular weather conditions and ordinary wear and tear. A General Steel building can save you money in long term maintenance as well as repair costs.
General Steel offers a vast array of exterior finish options for your new gymnasium. A steel recreational facility from General Steel can be very attractive along with being functional and economical. General Steel gymnasiums can be enhanced with decorative brick, stone, or stucco panels. You can visit General Steel's Custom Exteriors page on the web for more details.
Sports Facilities and Gymnasiums
Churches, business owners, and schools trust the General when it comes to building a new gymnasium. Below are twelve examples of gymnasiums and sports complexes General Steel has supplied.
Let us know if your particular needs differ and we will show you how a General Steel building can be designed to fit your unique needs.
Custom Designed Facilities
Remember that the floor plans featured below have been posted to assist you in determining what you will need in your new athletic facility as well as help you understand what types of activities you can fit into certain sizes of buildings.
If you see a floor plan below that is exactly what you are looking for, let us know and we will design your new building with that floor plan in mind.
However if you don't see your perfect plan, let our design experts go to work for you and come up with a perfect space for your needs.
Athletic Facility Example Floor Plans
Learn More About Our Gymnasiums
If you need further information about General Steel gymnasiums give our company a call. An experienced General Steel representative can provide suggestions for your gymnasium design needs and tell you how General Steel can provide you with the recreational facility that will provide years of service for your business or organization.
Schools, churches, and other organizations throughout the world have made General Steel the choice for steel gymnasiums. If you want a high-quality solution from a company you can trust, look no further than General Steel.
Gymnasium Buildings for Any Type of Organization
Churches, schools and other community and public organizations are turning to General Steel when they need gymnasiums. Private gym owners are also finding that a steel building from General Steel is the optimal solution for their needs. General Steel is a leader in the steel building industry providing premium steel structures to business and organizations worldwide for their project needs.
General Steel provides steel gymnasiums fabricated with high-quality steel that provides unsurpassed durability and efficiency. A steel gymnasium from General Steel is incredibly flexible, economical, and efficient. Our buildings are available at a fraction of the cost of more conventional structure materials and methods.
Advantages You Gain with Gym Buildings
|General Steel Brand Advantages
General Steel Gymnasiums can withstand the long-term negative structural effects of the elements and pests, and are specifically designed to meet your local building codes. That means your gym will last longer and require less maintenance. A steel gymnasium from General Steel can save you construction time, project monies, and ensure your gym will be economical to operate for many years.
Most gymnasiums require large, wide, open spans of uninterrupted space. This can present numerous obstacles when using traditional construction designs. When you choose a steel gymnasium from General Steel, you can easily and affordably achieve a clear, interior column-free space of up to 300 feet in width. This gives you complete flexibility with the interior layout of the building. Then, as your facility requires more space, it is easy to provide for additional square footage to the existing structure.
Large, specialized facilities such as gymnasiums can take their toll on a project budget, especially if they're constructed with conventional materials such as wood or brick. Conversely, General Steel's gymnasiums have proven to save time and money over the costs of more traditional construction materials and methods when comparing similar structures, General Steel can affordably accommodate specialized layouts and configurations.
Don't jeopardize your project investment with a lesser quality, bargain-priced steel building. At General Steel our gymnasiums are built using only top-of-the-line components and materials minimizing structural and maintenance issues to provide years of customer satisfaction.


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This fun coin purse from COLLECTION by John Lewis has been made from leather and features a charming slogan, in this case The Economy Needs Me. Inside there are 3 card slots and the purse secures with a zip-top fastening.
Thank you for visiting COLLECTION by John Lewis Hayley The Economy Needs Me Slogan Leather Coin Purse, Orange on shoppingfind.co.uk
We bring the products from many websites to one website for you to search, save and compare.

subset: commoncrawl


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Microsoft Virtual Academy
Get 50% off eBooks plus
40% off print books at
The Microsoft Press Store
Are you a SQL Server professional looking to cement your understanding of key concepts in SQL Server administration? Take this Jump Start, which focuses on security, data management, and disaster recovery/high availability and its implications for the configuration of the enterprise. Watch the live demos to learn about storage design and capacity configuration, security configuration, optimization of the instance, and automation.
- Install and Configure - Maintain Instances and Databases - Optimize and Troubleshoot - Manage Data - Implement Security - High Availability
This Jump Start prepares you for the Implementing a Data Warehouse with SQL Server 2012 Jump Start. This Jump Start will also help you prepare for Exam 70-462.
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A Liberal democrat Cabinet minister has warned David Cameron that the "outrageous" Conservative-led No campaign ahead of next month's referendum on the voting system risks inflicting permanent damage on the Coalition.
Chris Huhne, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, told The Independent that the Prime Minister should intervene to stop the No camp telling "downright lies". He cited its claims that a switch to the alternative vote (AV) would require electronic counting machines and cost £250m that could be spent on vital public services.
"There is no truth whatever in these outrageous allegations," he said. "It is absolutely astonishing that it could come from our Coalition partners. I fear it could damage the Coalition and diminish the respect his Coalition partners have for him [Mr Cameron]. There is no doubt that if you behave in a thoroughly reprehensible and underhand manner you are going to lose the respect of people."
Asked whether the increasingly bitter referendum campaign could shorten the planned five-year life of the Coalition, Mr Huhne replied that he could not make predictions about the future and that the two parties still "have a job of work to do".
But he warned that there would be "a lot of bad feeling" after the 5 May referendum unless there was a "fair fight", saying the two Coalition parties should observe a political equivalent of boxing's Queensberry rules. He accused the No camp of resorting to "out of order" behaviour that went "way beyond the normal cut and thrust of a general election campaign. I cannot remember a campaign where one side resorted to such underhand tactics."
Mr Huhne rejected Mr Cameron's claim that he was responsible for the Conservative No campaign but not the wider No campaign. Describing the latter as a "Conservative front organisation", he said "all the moving parts" – such as the funding and the people running it – came from the Tories.
"The only way you can explain why the Conservatives are acting in this way is desperation. They are clearly very worried about losing the vote," said Mr Huhne. "It seems the Conservatives are prepared to say virtually anything to try to win it." He said the Tories had enjoyed power for about two-thirds of the 20th century under first-past-the-post, even though they had won more than 50 per cent of the votes on only two occasions and did not want to see that dominance threatened in the 21st century.
As tensions between the Tories and Liberal Democrats over AV reached a new high, Lord (Paddy) Ashdown urged Mr Cameron to call off the No camp's personal attacks on Nick Clegg, who has featured heavily in its propaganda. The former Liberal Democrat leader told the BBC the No campaign had become "appallingly personal" and "no British prime minister" should be linked to it. He was "very, very angry" about the "Conservative Party money and the dinosaurs of Labour who are attacking the man holding the Coalition together".
He added: "This has become a deeply and appallingly personal campaign. It's centred on one personality and that is Nick Clegg. If he [Mr Cameron] wants to take a high-profile lead in this campaign, let him do so on the basis it is conducted with honesty and decency."
Urging Mr Cameron to intervene, Lord Ashdown said his continuing backing for the No campaign's tactics would inevitably damage "personal relations" within the Government.
Downing Street insisted that Mr Cameron is concentrating on the arguments against AV. A spokesman said: "The Conservative Party is running its own No to AV campaign. This is focused on highlighting how unfair and unpopular the AV system is and why people should vote No. It is a system that is obscure, unfair and expensive and could mean that people who come third in elections end up winning. It is not attacking Nick Clegg."
Jane Kennedy, a former Labour MP who is national director of the No to AV campaign, called Lord Ashdown's attack on the No camp an "astonishing outburst" and claimed that the Liberal Democrats had "perfected the technique" of conducting personally abusive campaigns. She claimed that it was the fact that Mr Clegg had "traded away his pledge" on tuition fees that was turning people "away from the case for change".
Clegg forgoes £38,000 profit
Nick Clegg has set an example to MPs still profiting from the old rules on expenses. He sold his Sheffield home for £325,000 and gave the £38,750 profit to the taxpayer, although he did not need to. Mr Clegg lives in London but rents a home in Sheffield. A rule allowing MPs claim for mortgage payments on second homes has been scrapped.
- More about:
- David Cameron
- Liberal Democrat Party
- Mortgages
- Nick Clegg


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Corporate Strategy Recruitment and Why It Works
Talent acquisition is one of the primary tasks that any organization has to pay attention to. After all, without the right people there is no success to be expected. Quality does not come from mediocrity. It is therefore no surprise as to why corporate strategy recruitment plays a very important role in every business entity.
But what is it really? Defined, it is a written set of goals and procedures that serves as a comprehensive blueprint of the organization, what it is, what it does, who it needs, when do hiring begins, where it should take place, what actions should be taken and who shoulders the responsibility to all these.
Corporate strategy recruitment is different from the basic hiring process in the sense that it's not just about placing an ad and interviewing people. It's about carefully detailing the means by which to attract the right candidates and end up with the best professionals to welcome into the group. It involves creating thorough and accurate job descriptions, studying the markets to target and choosing marketing tactics that will sell not only the job but also the organization's work culture. Why does it work then?
It works because it is a map. As mentioned, it is a comprehensive blueprint. It is a guide that communicates the goals and objectives of the recruitment process to every significant and relevant member of the organization. It therefore makes sure that the organization not only its Human Resources Department is committed to serving the same purposes of finding individuals with the right set of skills and expertise to fill positions as needed.
It works because it doesn't sell money. We cannot take out the fact that people's primary reason for looking for jobs is finances. We all have needs to be met and bills to pay. But if an organization wants to keep the best within their ranks, there's a whole lot more to offer than just money. Time and time again, it has been proven that money does not keep people. There are many other factors such as work-life balance, culture, work environment, growth, opportunities and even travel. Corporate strategy recruitment looks into these factors.
It works because it is not haphazard. Corporate strategy recruitment is well-thought of and planned to the point that its execution is able to derive great results. It makes use of various sourcing methods from traditional print advertising to more digital means like social media. It is able to target not only job hunters but also non-lookers.
Hiring an Independent Strategy Consultant
Business is definitely not for the faint of heart. It's tough. Competition is intense and there's just so much to think about it can drive you nuts. But why do some people seem to glide with it. The truth of the matter is nobody glides. It appears like entrepreneurs are gently moving on the surface but beneath they're hard at work and oftentimes are not alone in the undertaking. In many cases, success comes with the help of a group effort, one being that from an independent strategy consultant.
The thing is it's not every day that people hear about the strategy consultants. It can even sound alien and foreign to most ears. But who are they really and what impact do they bring? How do they help achieve success? Today, we're about to find out.
In its simplest sense, an independent strategy consultant provides insight and input that affects the decision making process of an organization by virtue of their deep industry knowledge and experience. What sets them apart is that they are independent from the company and can therefore provide an unbiased third party opinion.
It is done at a very high level in the corporate matrix such that they work alongside, in close contact with and for the CEO, similar high ranking officers and the board of directors. In short, their work has a lot to do with decision making and helping the decision makers make the right and best calls.
In a way, they are also akin to doctors as they can help diagnose problems before and at their occurrence. They can guide companies in remedying the effects of a current plight or minimizing the impact of a possible future bad situation.
The profession has a lot to do with facts and hard data rather than mere goals and vision. Decision making cannot be done with only goals in mind. It has to be realistic and set to a do-able standard. Moreover, they are tailor-made professionals such that it should be noted that no two organizations are the same so strategies can never be of cookie-cutter variant even if they belong to the same industry.
Moreover, an independent strategy consultant helps organizations help them achieve their goals. They're more of the "what" and "how" thinkers. They help drive the course of action taken rather than steer the wheel themselves, that's for the rest of the organization's limbs to handle.
Strategy Jobs Expert Tips to Office Dressing
Office dressing is very important especially when we talk about strategy jobs. Since the profession requires constant work and interaction with the higher ups aka the decision makers, it only makes sense to bring one's A game in terms of clothes. We all want to be presentable after all. Plus, how cool would it be to communicate yourself and your branding by virtue of what you wear?
This is why today, we are dishing out some style tips to help you dress better for your strategy jobs. Read up!
Keep things appropriate. This depends a lot on the type of industry that your company is in as well as the dress code mandated by the HR. However, as a rule of thumb make sure to avoid anything that is too skimpy, too over the top and too casual.
Hair is might. As much as it is your crowning glory, make sure that your do is clean and neat. Avoid going for big waves because this is no Oscar's red carpet. Keep it professional perhaps in a bun, a pony tail, a chignon or let it fall free on your shoulders. For the men, see to it that you get a clean cut.
Wear clothes that fit. You'll look tacky if your clothes are either too tight or too baggy. Neither should you don on something that's either too long or short. Always wear clothing pieces that are your size. Avoid slacks that drag on the floor too. Where need be, have your tailor fix your clothes so that they fit you perfectly.
Step into the right shoes. The wrong pair will definitely break even a killer outfit. For the ladies, closed shoes with a maximum of three inches are appropriate. For the gents, leather shoes are the way to go. Slippers and sneakers are a huge no-no.
Don't be afraid to style up. Just because you're in an office setting doesn't mean that you have to wear boring clothes. You can still comply with your company's dress code and at the same time stay stylish. Don't be afraid to play with a little pattern and color. Just remember that balance and moderation is key.
Be confident. This is perhaps the most important tip of them all. If you cannot be confident and comfortable with what you're wearing, it'll never look good on you. You have to own it as the experts would say.
So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and slay on your strategy jobs all while being stylish!
Visit website: http://thebartonpartnership.com
Strategy Recruitment Hacks in a Digital Age
With the dawn of the internet and the modern age, a lot of things have changed. The hiring process is no different. Recruiters and employers have now utilized social media and the World Wide Web in terms of finding quality employees and screening candidates. With that said, we're serving you some strategy recruitment hacks to up your hiring game in today's digital age!
- Sleuth around social profiles.
Call it stalking but it doesn't hurt to take a look at the social media profiles of applicants and prospects. Think about Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and the like. After all, you'd want a glimpse of their character, ethics, manners and even a few technical skills in between. This is a great window for that.
- Check for other online mentions.
The above does not only apply to the aforementioned social media platforms. One can also check if an individual has had any mentions in certain websites or if they have lent their expertise and skills to certain causes or brands. For example, has the applicant been featured somewhere? Perhaps, they're a contributor at a particular site?
- Look for a solid online presence.
Some individuals have set up personal and professional blogs for themselves. Apart from a glimpse of their personality, this is also an avenue for recruiters to check and assess their skills. Think about it this way. A web designer may sell templates and share coding advice on their website. This will surely bring into light their strengths and be a hard evidence of their mentioned skill set.
- Check their personal branding.
People are like companies in such a way that they brand themselves, deliberately and subconsciously. What individuals post online speaks legions about them not only in matters concerning who they are but also what they can do.
- Don't forget about LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is a social networking site but what drives it apart is that instead of personal connections, it was designed specifically for the business community. As its name suggests, its goal is to allow members to establish and document networks of people they know and trust professionally by linking to and with them. The site also allows users to showcase their work history and past experiences making it a useful tool in the hiring process.
As they say, change is inevitable and if one wants to progress one has to adapt and move with the times. In strategy recruitment, this involves having to know how to use technology to one's advantage.
How to Win at Operations Consulting Job Interviews
Operations Consulting job interviews are no easier than a regular and permanent job hiring. There may be a few differences but they are not stark contrasts. If you think about it, the two are more similar than they are different. But how exactly does one succeed in it and eventually get the job? We're dishing out some deets so be ready to take down some notes!
Plan your strategy. You have to know your game plan or else risk everything. Now that your resume has made it through and had the recruiter call you in for an interview, you simply cannot let all your efforts be put to waste. Write things down on paper and devise your strategy.
Prepare for the questions. Think about it as the Miss Universe Q&A but multiply the level of difficulty by a thousand. Kidding aside, the interview questions can range from basic to funny to tough and to whatnot. You have to expect for the worst so you can prepare better. Round up a list of common and possible questions and think out answers for them.
Practice like you haven't done before. Whether you choose to do it on your own or with the help of someone else, make sure that you take this part seriously. You have to feel and be in the moment so you will act less anxious and more prepared on the day itself. If it helps, you can even dress up. Practice makes perfect after all.
Talk about your value. More than just your skills and personality, you have to let the employer know that you can deliver results and that these results are of staggering quality. To do this, talk about your achievements and contributions to previous employments or current organizations. Do this instead of simply talking about what skills you have. Talk about proofs than just mere declarations.
Dress like you're already part of the team. Make sure that you attend your interim strategy job interview dressed appropriately. Research on the corporate dress code of the company and then suit up to it. Power dressing is a very important factor. As they say, first impressions matter so make it count.
Operations consulting job interviews shouldn't be a huge dilemma if you've prepared yourself and rose up to the occasion. At the end of the day, it all boils down to how well you carry yourself and showcase what you have to offer. Good luck!
More on consultant jobs here http://thebartonpartnership.com.
Corporate Strategy Job Myths and Misconceptions
Have you heard of corporate strategy jobs before? Are they already familiar to you or are they still quite foreign? Regardless, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions that surround them just like any other profession out there. Our task is to bust them out. We need our facts straight. There's no time for silly humdrums and tittle-tattle. Are you ready? If you are then scroll down and read on.
They are external and distinct. – First let us establish that corporate strategy professionals can either be independent from or employed within an organization. The idea that they only act as independent consultants externally employed is already passé. Many still do but more and more companies today are finding the need and seeing the benefits of housing their own corporate strategy team within their own barracks.
They perform and execute the strategies. – In some ways they do but the responsibility of corporate strategy professionals are more directed to answering the questions "what" and "how". They create, devise and map out ways in which the organization can achieve its objectives, both general and specific ones. The carrying out process is passed on to the specific departments or divisions to which they are intended.
They make the decisions. – This one is a very popular misconception. People in corporate strategy create the plans, devise tactics and help companies in their goals but this does not include the decision making. That task is still meant for the organization's higher ranking officials, officers and board of directors. Strategists work hand in hand and oftentimes in close parameters with such decision makers but conclusions and judgments are not part of their job spectrum. They merely help analyze situations, present the pros and cons to various options, suggest ways of doing things better and the like.
They are boring thinking tanks. – Many people are led to believe that the job is boring and is composed of redundant tasks. This is quite the opposite. Having a post in corporate strategy requires a lot of creativity and innovation. These professionals are tasked to think up of new and better ways of doing things. Boring is a word that's far from that. These individuals are as creative as they can get.
They are buried in paper work and trapped in cubicles. – Corporate strategy jobs are quite diverse. They can be assembled to form a distinct division within the company or spread all throughout its various departments. They work alongside directors and high ranking officials. They interact with a lot of people both internal and external to the company. Sometimes they also get to travel for research and other important tasks. They are not bound to their desks and buried in paper work.
Are you interested in corporate jobs, apply at thebartonpartnership.com
What Does an Independent Strategy Consultant Do?
You may have already heard of the profession but you remain stuck and curious about what it really does. An independent strategy consultant is one of the crucial positions employed by majority of companies across all industries today. They are deemed as a part of goal planning and objective achievement. Their talents and expertise are used to make sure that things fall into place and operations run smooth if not better. But what exactly does the profession call for? What does an independent strategy consultant do?
First of all let's focus on a certain keyword: strategy. The very purpose of this line of profession revolves around strategies a lot. These plans or devices are created and used in such a way that an entity or organization's goals are achieved in the best way possible with maximum benefits, minimal to zero losses, at a timely speed and with low costs.
Because plans and strategies make way for decisions to be made, an independent strategy consultant will have to work alongside and in close encounter with the decision makers of the company. In other words, they team up with top management positions and the board of directors. In some cases, they too may work with other external professionals, consultants and advisors.
The job is closely knit with the definition and creation of strategies. These must be innovative, effective, efficient and timely. They answer the question "how". Such tactics are used in order to achieve both general and specific goals particularly those centered on profitability, growth, expansion and the triumph over competition.
If the business is faced with several options or alternatives, they are tasked to use their skill, experience and expertise to shed light on the matter. They will come up with an analysis of pros and cons for each alternative. A thorough analysis will be done until the company comes up with the best choice.
Moreover, an independent strategy consultant also partakes in preparing a company and its stakeholders for change should they occur. They will be tasked to aid in contingency making so that in the event that a supposed to be crippling event occurs, the problem is prevented, avoided or losses are minimized to the point of acceptability.
Because of these tasks mentioned above, an independent strategy consultant must be analytical, a critical thinker, persistent, hard working, patient, innovative, creative, communicable, a leader, a team player and most of all open minded.
Are you ready to apply for a consultant role? Check out thebartonpartnership.com


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Product Highlights
This item is noncancelable and nonreturnable
You Pay: $63.61
The Tiffen 67mm Hyper Star Filter is designed to be used perpendicular to a point light source such as the sun, a light bulb, or a candle. Within the filter's surface is a combination of fine, etched line types. Those lines help to create a starburst effect with 14 primary diffraction spikes that extend from the light source which is also given an elliptical shape. The Tiffen 67mm Hyper Star Filter arranges those diffraction spikes in a pattern where seven primary diffraction spikes are grouped along both sides of the elliptically-shaped light source that are furthest from each other.
This filter is most effective for pictures where the light source used to generate the starburst effect is a highlight with a significant degree of contrast from the rest of the image. It is constructed from optical glass for clarity as well as color fidelity, and features an aluminum-alloy filter ring that can be rotated in order to adjust the direction of the diffraction spikes and overall orientation of the starburst effect.
|Diffraction/Star Effect
|Creates starburst effect from point light sources which are also given an elliptical shape with diffraction spikes. Diffraction spikes are arranged in a pattern where seven primary diffraction spikes are grouped along both sides of the elliptically-shaped light source that are furthest from each other
|Optical Glass
|Front Filter Thread Size
|Front Lens Cap Size
|Packaging Info
|Package Weight
|0.05 lb
|Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
|4.3 x 3.6 x 0.6"


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Chalkboard Labels
Wallies® Labels Peel & Stick Chalkboard
Licensed by WallCandy® Arts
2 sheets
10 labels 3¾" x 1½"
- Vinyl labels for the pantry, home office & playroom.
- Removable and repostionable.
- Change your room décor in seconds!
- Leaves no sticky residue.
- Easy to remove, safe for most surfaces.
Item shipped worldwide.


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55-64 year old woman treated with Fat Transfer for her Lip Augmentation
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The patient underwent 4cc of fat transfer for her upper and lower lip augmentation. Fat transfer is a longer lasting treatment option for women that are tired of getting lip fillers every six months. The pictures show her results at two months.
By uploading this photo, Johnny Franco, MD, FACS has agreed with RealSelf.com policy that they've secured proper patient consent.


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Don't you sometimes want more attention? Aching to simply blow people away? The people at Banshee Horn LLC might just have the thing for people who want to be noticed. It is called the Banshee Horn, and it does what the name says. The folks promise in an email to TTAC that the gadget helps you "warn motorists up to 3 blocks away" with a pain-inducing 139 decibel horn. Read More >
Category: Gizmos
The latest advancements in communication imply a great future for the automobile. And yet, like my former manager in Corporate America once said, "I can't wait to go to a place where my BlackBerry doesn't work." Like most BlackBerry addicts, I doubt she really meant it. Mostly because these handheld email magnets are legalized crack, for better or worse. Now BlackBerry makes a self-branded, visor mount speakerphone: traffic jams en route to work and business travel in sub-par rental cars shall never be the same. And its name is the VM-605.
Rear view cameras are becoming commonplace on SUVs, CUVs and luxury cars but only as part of very expensive option packages. If you prefer spending your money on things like groceries and house payments, or have an older vehicle, you're pretty much out of luck. But not entirely. Peak (yes, the antifreeze people) offer the Peak Wireless Back-up Camera System. To see if it passes muster, I installed one on my 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe.
The Microsoft Zune prides itself in being the only significant alternative to Apple's wildly popular iPod and iTunes duo. But there's a problem: Zune distances itself from the industry standard software and hardware systems. Considering Microsoft's dominance stemming from the personal computer revolution, the Zune's unique value proposition is less like the corporate mothership and more like the original Apple Macintosh: isolating and challenging. Which, considering their fashionably late entrance, makes the Microsoft Zune a tough sell.
Product Review: Microsoft Zune Product Review Rating
Overall Rating: 2/5 Stars
Ford seems to be the only part of the big 3/2.5/1.8 that's embracing technology as a way to win customers. Their SYNC system got massive airplay in the Blue Oval's ads. Down at the dealer level, FoMoCo's been pushing SYNC like crazy. Strange, then, that I've noticed a distinct lack of reviews on the SYNC. So I hopped into a Ford Fusion for a week to answer a simple question: it is any good?
One of my long-standing disagreements with the editor: the Porsche Cayenne is a dangerous diffusion of the Porsche brand. I never believed that. I'd call Robert up and tell him— if I could dial this new Porsche Design P'9522 phone with its razor thin buttons. Or use it stateside for that matter. Perhaps I'll e-mail my review. Nope. The gorgeous new touch screen gizmo lacks that feature. It does have a 911 GT3 ring tone, though.
When my esteemed editor suggested I review the RallyCam, I envisioned a simple one camera with a small recording device. Instead. the edgecameras.com people sent me their RallyCam 3000, a three-camera system with a sophisticated control unit integrated with a multi-use video recording device. The devices came packed tightly in their container. I was quickly overwhelmed by cables, clamps, remotes and plastic bags. The numerous instruction sheets were not very helpful. But TTAC's Best and Brightest are persistent bastards, as are their legally-trained representatives. So away we go…
Product Review: RallyCam 3000 Product Review Rating
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars
Looking at last year's Black Friday ads made it clear that a portable GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) satellite navigation device was the season's most popular loss leader. Even department stores like Macys were offering a GPS device on the cheap. This strategy continues; last week our local Walgreen's had a Nextar GPS device at the front counter for under $200, right there next to mints and quit smoking gum. I wanted to see if a cheap GPS unit could compete with the big boys. So I contacted Nextar, and they provided us with a Snap3.
On paper, the Snap3 sat nav looks like a winner. It comes complete with a 3.5" touch screen, Navteq on Board® maps, super-slim design, mp3 player, photo viewer and mini-SD memory slot. In person, the packaging is very professional, especially for a GPS product sitting on the lowest wrung of the consumer ladder. Included in the deal: the unit, a USB/DC charger, car mount, detailed manuals and a carry bag. The Snap3 is very small, measuring three by four and less than an inch thick. The front is all screen all the time, with all the necessary buttons positioned on the sides and bottom.
I always measure a gizmo's user friendliness with a simple test: try and use without reading the manual. (Let's face it, the vast majority of consumers at the bottom end of the market won't read any user's manual, ever, and the rest probably can't.) The Snap3 flunked. The unit has to be booted before the main power switch can be used. Granted this requires about ten seconds; less time than it takes to call India– I mean, customer service. But who knew?
Once booted, you're looking a main screen with choices of navigation, photo, mp3, Bluetooth, calculator and settings.
Selecting navigation takes you to the main map screen. Accessing the Navteq supplied software and maps is no different than most other GPS devices. I've had nothing but good experiences with this mapping software. The Snap3 offered more of the same– at least initially. And right from the git-go, at the main screen, you have to sit and wait while the Snap3 tries to acquire a signal. The search took all of 45 seconds, which indicates an older GPS chipset.
On the road, the Snap3 failed to update our ETA (estimate time of arrival) as we drove. It clung to original estimate like grim death, despite the fact that we eventually arrived an hour earlier than the machine's ETA. On the positive side, our car's onboard sat nav system frequently lost the satellite signal in the mountains, while the Snap3 maintained a lock at all times– after the painfully slow signal acquisition.
We also took the unit hiking in the Carolina Mountains (better than going with some guides I know). In this application, the Snap3's size is a definite plus, easily fitting in a pocket.
The Snap3 is touted as a multi-function device. However, once in the navigation mode, you can only access the other features by rebooting the device to go back to the main screen. The other functions are crude and basic. The mp3 player was too quiet even with the volume turned all the way up (fixed by going to settings, turning-up the volume and returning to the mp3 player). The photo viewer displayed jpegs but was slow and awkward.
The Bluetooth function never worked; my iPhone could not discover the Snap3. This may have been an iPhone issue, but my test Magellan sat nav device always paired quickly with the iPhone.
By the same token, the Windows CE spinning beach ball of death was a frequent sight. This means that the Snap3 is running some form of the embedded Windows Mobile software. This also means that the device should easily connect to a PC to allow data uploads for new maps and firmware. No such software was included with the Snap3, and nothing in the supplied box shows this capability. When I connected the Snap3 to my PC, the device was never found (even though the Snap3 was powered over a standard USB cable).
The Snap3 has sixty-four megs of internal RAM and one gigabyte flash RAM for map storage. Without the ability to connect to a PC, it can't be upgraded; it's only a matter of time before the maps will become "stale." The inability to update the firmware is more worrying. In the settings menu, I noted that the system software was version 0.97. This indicates that I tested a pre-production version, so this capability could well be on its way.
After several days of use, one lock-up and several reboots, the Snap3's mapping function eventually died, displaying a "can't find navigation software" warning. It was a fitting end to an inexpensive device that proves that "value" and "price" are not always synonymous.
[NEXTAR provided the unit tested.]
Should this be a TTAC-approved product?
NEXTAR Snap3 3.5″ Navigation System Review Product Review Rating
Overall Rating: 2/5 Stars
I know it's not PC to say so, but I hate a lot of things. For example, I hate people walking around with those stupid cell phone earpieces looking like Lt. Uhura from Star Trek. They wear them like some sort of fashion jewelry, even when they're not asking John to phone Sally to tell Jorge he needs to phone Mary. For my sake, they should put their headsets away when not in use. Meanwhile, to find out what these people see in these devices and whether they have any practical use, I tested the suddenly very cheap Motorola HS820, a small Bluetooth, wireless headset.
The HS820 comes in one of those plastic containers that are NASA sealed for your protection. After repeated attempts to chew the package open, I got the scissors out and proceeded to cut my finger on the razor sharp plastic. Once open, I extricated the headset, charger and folded eight language manual. [NB: Yes, I've seen the TV ads for the Pyranna plastic cutter, but that's not a car-related accessory.]
Stylistically, the HS820 is reasonably attractive, at least compared to some of the larger, uglier headsets adorning large swathes of the mobile generation. Motorola claims the HS820 possesses a "Funky surfboard design." If true, it may be way too LA for many users. While the HS is smaller than your average ear thingie, and therefore less obtrusive, its small size may also affect battery life (discussed below).
I plugged the HS820 into my car's 12-volt socket (a.k.a. cigarette lighter) and waited two hours for a full charge. I then switched my IPhone into Bluetooth discovery mode and hoped for the best. The telephonic apple of Steve Job's eye quickly discovered the HS820, illuminating its blue bluetooth indicator light. That's a lot more exciting than it sounds; I've had Bluetooth recognition issues before. I was relieved to see the two devices make nice so quickly.
I tried to make a call. Nothing. There was no sound in the HS820's earpiece. The IPhone said paired, but I despaired. So I used another phone to call someone to tell them to call me. When the call came through, I pressed the big 'phone' button to answer. Still nothing. So I unpaired and paired again (like the shampoo instructions say, lather, wash, rinse and repeat).
Second go. This time, when I went to phone a friend, the IPhone offered me a choice of phone, speakerphone, HS820 or ask the audience. Kidding. When I selected the HS820, I heard a beep in my ear. And then, finally, the earpiece went to work.
Calls were audible enough for rock and roll. All the people I annoyed on your behalf stated that my mellifluous tones were clear on the receiving end, and swore I didn't sound as if I was calling from an undersea Plexiglas bubble. No one complained of an echo, which was a real problem with the Bluetooth speaker in the previously tested Magellan 4040. Comfort was not an issue; at just 17 grams (about half an ounce to the metrically challenged), the headset's weight didn't once threaten to deform my cranium.
The HS820's range was within the Bluetooth specs of about 30 feet. The sound quality, such as it was, wasn't affected by a ten foot stroll away from the iPhone. Beyond ten feet, the caller's voice warbled but remained audible, with no complaints about my voice on the receiving end. In-car use uncovered no range issues whatsoever. I suspect most users will stick to the mobile mobile environment– especially with the increasing number of states where operating a cell phone illegal without a hands-free device can land you in the hoosegow.
Motorola claims the HS820's battery is good for six hours of talk time and 120 hours of waiting for somebody to call time. In the real world, even I can't talk that long, so I have no idea if the six hours time limit is even remotely realistic. However, I do know that if I didn't use the HS820 for several days, it was always DOA. So the promised five-day schmooze fest seems a tad optimistic.
When the HS820 first hit the market, it was priced at $99. I'm sure your friendly Verizon store still sells it for that price. You can now find the HS820 for significantly less. Amazon will sell you an HS820 for $31.95, and best-digital's giving them away at $19.99. At that price, it's a no-brainer.
But if ultimate quality, sound and battery life matter to you, look for a newer Bluetooth 2.0 device. (The HS820 is 1.2 technology.) With fair sound quality, small size, okay battery life and a whole lot of cheapness, the HS820 is a decent choice for a wireless cell phone headset.
Should this be a TTAC-approved item?
Motorola HS820 Bluetooth Headset Product Review Rating
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars
Like most middle aged men, I had a car crisis. So, after convincing my wife that an Imola Red BMW M Roadster isn't "chick magnet red," I bought my dream car. Of course, the dream is never the reality. I rarely drove the M. Summers were too wet and hot (real men don't drive a convertible with the top up and the a/c on). Fall was too wet. Ah, winter in Florida! It's the best 'vert weather but… I just got a new daily driver. So Emily became a garage queen. And died.
Yesterday, I went out to drive her for the first time in two weeks. Unlike The Grand National, she's never failed to start. But this time, key in, quick turn and nada. The dash lights were on but she didn't even bother emitting the dreaded click click click sound. A dead battery was the blindingly obvious call. So I rolled her out of the garage, grabbed the jumper cables, opened the trunk, removed the battery cover and– remembered that jump starting a car is generally a bad idea.
Jump starting a modern car is two kinds of dumb. First, we're talking dumb and dumberer, or, if you prefer, the Darwin factor. That's when you accidentally reverse the cables and/or cause so much sparking that the battery blows. Second, there's the small matter of an overly sensitive $1k electronic control unit that can up and die from a spike in the voltage transmitted from the running car to the dead car via Old Sparky– I mean jumper cables.
Some jumper cables now include a special resistor to reduce voltage spike. Some manufacturers also include a jumping block off the battery, which should help prevent battery explosions. But, as you've read here, no one reads the owner's manual anymore. And I'm a lawyer; I don't trust anyone, with anything, ever.
As an alternative, Sears sells several battery chargers. I reckon they're a must for any vehicle driven less than once a week. So I tested the Sears DieHard 10/2/50 amp Automatic Battery Charger. The unit MSRPs at $64.99, but way-hey! As of December 23, 2007, it was on sale for a bargain price of only $39.99.
The Diehard charger is your basic, garden variety metal box with one analog battery charging gauge, two leads (for power on and full charge) and a three-way switch. It has two plugs, a 110 amp wall plug (not grounded) and two small jumper cable style wires with a red and black clamp. The Diehard does so with a vengeance; the heavy and sturdy block weighs in at eleven pounds.
So, connect the Diehard to your Diehard battery (or similar), red to red, black to black (or brown, as apparently some car companies didn't get that memo regarding the international colors for positive and negative). Select the style of charge, plug in the device and wait. The Diehard offers spark proof protection in automatic mode, and even includes a Darwin feature for fashion victims who insist on hooking up red to black and black to red because it's more aesthetically pleasing.
The Diehard Charger offers three settings depending on your needs. The 50 amp setting is similar to a jump from another car and should allow most cars to start up right away (though I would still give it a minute or two, and keep in mind the warning above, though the voltage from the Diehard is delivered spike free according to Sears).
If you're not planning on driving the vehicle straight away, set the Diehard in the ten amp mode and wait about two hours. A blinking light will advise you when the battery is fully charged. WARNING: the Diehard doesn't have an automatic shutoff; leaving the charger in ten amp mode for extended periods can damage your car's battery. How lame is that?
I used ten amp mode for my M. A couple of hours later the car started like a dream, and ran the rest of the day without battery troubles.
There's also a two amp trickle charger mode. This is the mode I SHOULD have been using for my M before I let her die. A trickle charge feeds just enough juice to keep the battery charged and the electrical system refreshed without overcharging the battery. Since most cars continue to draw power when off, a trickle charger also prevents damage to electrical components that seem to freak at low voltage.
I recently sampled a rarely driven loaner 2006 M5. When I picked her up after a short lay-up, the dash was lit up like a Christmas tree with dreaded engine damage warnings. A flat bed to the dealer later, I learned that the low voltage had falsely triggered the warnings. If only I'd learned to live free and Diehard.
Should this be a TTAC-approved product?
Sears DieHard 10/2/50 amp Automatic Battery Charger Review Product Review Rating
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars
It's a never-ending battle between speeders and the police. Since the e-wars began, the police have moved from simple X-Band radar-based speed detectors to sophisticated KA-band radar guns, radar detector detectors (no really) and laser speed detection devices (with charming names like Stalker LZ-1). While the best consumer radar detectors can sniff out X and KA-band signals from a long way off—before the signal can bounce back to Officer Not So Friendly—if your laser beam detector goes off, tag, you're it. If you're speeding (which you probably do as you're reading a laser jammer review), you've been nabbed.
FYI, police speed detection lasers or LIDAR (LIght Detection And Ranging) fires light pulses at an object at about 984 million feet per second or roughly 1 foot per nanosecond. The pulses bounce off the (theoretically) offending vehicle and return to the laser device. Its optical sensors receive the returning photons or waves (let's not get into THAT debate), compares outgoing and returning light (in about a third of a second) and calculates the object's speed.
"Normal" radar guns send out a relatively wide beam of radio waves and use Christian Doppler's observed effect to ascertain the fastest vehicle within that beam. Laser guns are far more accurate; at a thousand feet, the laser "cone" is roughly 3 feet in diameter.
Luckily (for you), laser guns have drawbacks. First, they're a fair weather device; laser beams abhor a rainstorm. Second, unlike KA-Band radar, a laser gun must be stationary and aimed directly at the [theoretical] speeder. This eliminates in-car mobile use. On the positive side (for them), laser is ideal for roadside speed detection. The tickets practically write themselves.
Other than buying a low-slung black car and covering it with high tech non-reflective materials, there's only way to defeat a laser speed detector: active jamming. We're talking about a device that reacts to a police laser beam by sending out its own laser beam, shifting the spectrum of the returning light, rendering it unrecognizable to the laser gun's optical sensors. Yes, it's a high tech shoot-out at the photon coral.
A quick note about legality . . .
The Federal Communications Commission prohibits civilian use of police frequencies; sending out a signal on these frequencies to mess with a police radar gun is a HUGE no-no. Banning civilians from using a part of God's own light spectrum is a lot more problematic. That said, the Food and Drug Administration regulates laser devices—from a personal safety rather than a road safety perspective. Nebraska, Minnesota, Utah, California, Oklahoma, Virginia, Colorado, Illinois and Washington DC are the only states/district that bans the use of radar detectors AND laser jammers for "interfering with police business."
I tested the Escort Laser Shifter ZR3, an active laser jammer that can be used as a standalone solution or in conjunction with Escort's high end 8500 and 9500 radar/laser detectors. The Laser Shifter ZR3 comes complete with a comprehensive owner's manual, installation instructions, two front laser transceivers, one rear laser transceiver, in-car display controller, remote mute button, 12-volt interface with modular connections, complete wiring harnesses, mounting hardware and a link cable for connecting to the Passport 8500, 7500S and SR7, and the Solo2.
The kit requires lots of wiring and drilling; professional installation is a must. The test car spent the entire day at a local installer, who hid the front transceivers in the front grill, and the rear transceiver on the top of the license plate frame. The finished job cost $250.
I coupled the Escort ZR3 with an Escort 8500i and ran a few real world tests at known speed traps.
On each pass, the Passport 8500's laser detector noted the laser presence and instantly activated the jammer. The confused look on the officer's face as I drove by [probably] confirmed that the laser jammer [probably] prevented his laser gun from registering our speed, which may have been approximately 15mph over the 35mph limit.
The results lend credence to the video hosted on youtube. This test shows the ZR3's jamming capability against a Prolaser II Police Lidar Gun, from the police perspective trials at radartest.com who found that the Escort ZR3 was nearly perfect—providing a 99% efficiency rating. The ZR3 an excellent investment to reduce exposure from laser based tickets. Coupled with an Escort radar detector, a user will have a one device system covering all potential radar detection systems.
The Escort ZR3 costs $499. Given the cost of speeding tickets, points and insurance increases, anyone with a lead foot whose local police use laser guns will find it a worthwhile investment. That said, the new and [thankfully] rare Laser Atlanta Type S in [thankfully rarely used] Stealth Mode defeats the Escort ZR3. Yes, the battle between poachers and the gamekeeper continues.
Escort Laser Shifter ZR3 Review Product Review Rating
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars
Given the changing pace of technology, the price of factory-fitted satellite navigation and the itinerant traveler's tendency to rent their chariot, a portable GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) navigation system is the ideal solution. When choosing an electronic pathfinder, map quality makes all the difference. Magellan (like Garmin) uses the premier map data supplier Navteq. The Magellan Maestro Series offers three models with a "just right" screen size (4.3"). The 4000 ($399) is the base model. The 4040 ($499) adds Canada (the maps, not the country) and Bluetooth, which lets you access addresses lurking inside your phone/palmtop. Although you can upgrade the 4040 to real-time traffic data for another hundred bucks, that same Franklin buys you the 4050 ($599) with a built-in traffic jam info receiver. On the road, the Magellan's 4040's geek fabulous 20-channel sirfsStarIII chipset instantly locked onto a GPS signal and updated quickly. The maps are pellucid, the voice prompts clear and the touch screen ergonomically sound. On the downside, the map disappears during recalculation and full-on sunlight is still a bugbear (a built-in visor would help). While RV-ing seniors might appreciate the AAA's TourBook info and roadside assistance (trip A members only), it would be nice to be able to choose a more (ahem) upmarket guide. Overall, the 4040 is a decent but not outstanding GPS device– at $499. But Costco's got 'em for $349 (in store price, call ahead). For that money, you're good to go.
Should this be a TTAC-approved product?
Magellan Maestro 4040 GPS Review Product Review Rating
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars


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It's hotter than Hades outside. Still, you have a yearning for some outdoor exercise. What to do?
In most parts of the United States, the answer might be to hit a treadmill at a gym with air conditioning.
But we're more fortunate in Orange County. Here, we have our own natural AC – it's called the beach.
To beat the summer heat – and also because our 40-plus miles of ocean views is amazing – here's a quick guide to some of my favorite beach spots:
What: Bolsa Chica Wetlands offers an interpretive center and several trails winding through coastal grasses and marshy areas.
For: Hikers, trail runners, bird watchers
Tip: Be sure to continue south far enough to walk across the wooden bridge for fun and photos.
When: Mornings and evenings are best for birding, as well as finding parking.
Where / cost: 3842 Warner Ave., Huntington Beach. Free.
What: Some 10 miles of bike path or, really, two distinct paths. The path south of Huntington Beach pier offers bicycle and bike buggy rentals and is great for meandering along the beach and checking out the crowd. The path north of the pier is more a running and walking path that also includes Dog Beach.
For: Walkers, runners, slow cyclists
Tip: Visit at least twice, breaking up the beach paths into two trips.
When: Beach crowds are part of Southern California culture and the wide path makes weekends the most fun.
Where / cost: Parking anywhere near Main Street and the pier is best and offers a choice of the south or north boardwalks. Free, excluding parking.
What: Boardwalk along the beach.
For: Walkers, runners, slow cyclists
Tip: Hoof it. Unlike Huntington Beach, this is a relatively short and narrow path best suited to foot traffic.
When: Weekdays are best if you hope to park. Start about an hour or two before sunset to soak in the laid-back vibe of beachfront residents. You may end up joining someone for cocktail hour(s).
Where / cost: Park near either pier or anywhere on the Balboa Peninsula and head down a beachside side street to the boardwalk. Free.
What: A 10.5-mile path around one of the best estuaries in Southern California.
For: Walkers, runners, slow cyclists, equestrians, bird watchers
Tips: Check out the path on the east side of the bay during sunset. The sky's reflection off the water is spectacular.
When: Low tides see the most birds. Also, evenings are relatively quiet.
More: Check out the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. It's 10,000 square feet with exhibits, documentaries and interactive displays, and it's open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Free.
Where / cost: Officially, the entrance is Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach. I park near the marina on the south side where there's generally plenty of parking. There also is a parking lot midway along Back Bay Drive.
What: Technically, this is the land side of Crystal Cove State Park. But most everyone has called it El Moro for years, and that's also the street you turn onto from Pacific Coast Highway. The park offers a wide variety of great trails covering 2,400 acres.
Who: Hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers
Tips: Ridges offer great ocean views but require tough climbing. The canyons offer comparatively easy hiking and are cozy and quiet.
When: If you want to avoid mountain bikers, avoid Saturday mornings. Still, any day is a good day here.
Where / cost: The ranger station is inland from the PCH traffic signal next to El Morro School. A day pass is $15.
What: Badlands Park is a relatively unknown county park that offers unobstructed ocean views.
For: Hikers, walkers
Tip: This isn't just about ocean views. You also get great glimpses into some truly spectacular – and expensive – homes.
When: While the sunsets are terrific from this area, be sure to go early enough so you don't get caught out after dark. The paths can be slightly confusing at night.
Where / cost: 31671 Isle Vista, Laguna Niguel. Free.
What: Tide pools that offer a variety of sea creatures in a designated marine protected area by the State Marine Conservation Area Tidelands. For a small fee, you also can check out the Ocean Institute.
For: Photography buffs, anyone who likes to explore the ocean without getting (too) wet.
Tips: Wear sturdy sneakers that you don't care about getting wet. And, please, be careful not to step on or touch any sea creatures. You're here to look.
When: During high tides, there aren't tide pools. Be sure to go during low tides.
Where / cost: From Pacific Coast Highway, turn onto Dana Point Harbor Drive and park toward the end. Heading toward the beach and near the base of the Headlands cliffs, you'll see concrete stairs. Free.
What: Miles of beach path that continues along train tracks.
For: Beach runners, walkers. Cycling is allowed in some parts, but you'll end up pushing your bike near the pier and along the wood bridge.
Tips: Be careful crossing the railroad tracks or just hang around the pier. You'll rediscover why you moved to Orange County.
When: Parking is tight everywhere in San Clemente on summer weekends. Try weekdays if possible.
Where: The beach trail stretches from Avenida Pico on the north to Avenida Calafia on the south, where you'll also find San Clemente State Beach and parking. There's also decent parking near the pier and at the end of Pico. Bring quarters to feed meters or look for credit card parking.
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Invaluable cannot guarantee the accuracy of translations through Google Translate and disclaims any responsibility for inaccurate translations.
Recuay Effigy Lord Flanked by Jaguar with Raised Head(91 views)
Description: This vessel is painted orange on white ground with black negative resist decoration for the lord's tunic and the jaguar's dots. The jaguar's heads are turned outward instead of looking forward and have unusual decoration of orange dots on black. This particular vessel has an ancient repair to the flared spout where the spout was broken in antiquity. A similar example is in the the Berlin Ethnographic museum and illustrated in Altperuanische Kulturen Recuay IV fig. 101
Condition Report: Very good example of negative resist decoration and in good condition with an ancient repair and the lords crest has a chip.
Notes: M3116
Dimensions: Height 6 " x Diameter 6 3/4"
Date: Peru, Recuay, North Highlands, c. 300 BC - AD 700
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All new hires must complete Form W-4 before receiving their first paycheck. This form includes information on marital status, number of dependents, and designated additional withholding amounts. Employers should not give employees advice on how to complete this form, but you can direct them to a link in the article that helps them complete this form.

Employees may change their W-4 form as often as they like. It's the employer's responsibility to keep track of the latest change.

Contact your state department of revenue (or equivalent) for information on how to register as an employer in the state. This state agency will also give you information on withholding forms and requirements for reporting and paying withheld amounts.

For states that have income tax, you will need to deduct these taxes from employee paychecks and send the withheld taxes to the appropriate state agency.

Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, must be completed by each new hire. The new employee must also provide a proof of eligibility, such as a birth certificate or "green card." You as the employer must verify that information. This form should be kept in the employee's record, but it doesn't need to be sent to a federal agency.

As an alternative, you can use the e-Verify system, with the I-9 form as a resource. The next article describes how this system works.

Larger employers (with many employees) can sign up for the E-Verify system and use it to check on the eligibility of new employees to work in the U.S. The system uses the information on Form I-9 to compare with federal data bases.

Each new employee must complete a job application form, even if this person has already submitted a resume for the job. The job application form contains information about the new employee that can be verified, like previous employers and education. It also includes several statements the applicant must sign.

One statement attests that the information on the application is true and correct, while other statements allow the employer to conduct reference checks and background checks.

Employers must register new employees with their state's new hire notification system; this registration allows the state to collect child support payments from these employees. A list of the state notification systems is included in this article.

This article details sources of forms and you will need new employees to complete at hire.

 If your business has several employees, you should have an employee handbook or policies and procedures manual. All new employees should receive a copy of this handbook and should sign that they have read and understand it. (This assumes that they actually read the handbook). Having employees read the employee handbook can help prevent disgruntled employees, unmet expectations, and possible lawsuits.


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Definitions for vaguely
This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word vaguely
Princeton's WordNet
vaguely, mistily(adverb)
in a vague way
"he looked vaguely familiar"; "he explained it somewhat mistily"
In a vague manner.
Webster Dictionary
in a vague manner
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of vaguely in Chaldean Numerology is: 7
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of vaguely in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3
Sample Sentences & Example Usage
It becomes creepy or bizarre, like a monster in a movie that has vaguely human features.
I understand that smoking is vaguely inappropriate in certain situations. You know, like an orphanage, cancer ward, whatever.
I vaguely, vaguely remember hearing one time that she had lost her ring, it was replaced because what I remember is she always had a ring.
I vaguely remember arguing with the doctors because I didn't want them to deliver Tyler so early, but the doctors told me I was in severe danger— minutes away from death— and I needed to get to theater.
Images & Illustrations of vaguely
Translations for vaguely
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About Willowdene Guest Farm
Willodene Guest Farm is a self-catering working cattle and grain farm situated in the Eastern Free State in the ambience of the Witteberg mountain range. This wonderful country retreat boasts stunning views over the Red Mountains, Witteberg mountains and the Maluti mountains and offers self-catering accommodation in two separate units.
It is also the gateway to the historical Anglo-Boer War, Fouriesburg in the Brandwater basin, Clarens, Golden Gate National Park, and Lesotho.
- Response Rate: 100%
- Response Time: 10 hours
- Minimum stay: 1 Days
- Type: Self-catering
- Sleeps: 17
- Check-in: 01:00 PM Check-out: 10:00 AM
- Reviews: 2 Reviews
- Braai/Barbecue
- Indoor Fireplace
- No Credit Card Facilities
Languages Spoken
- English
- Afrikaans
- Sotho (Sesotho)
10% OFF Summer/Autumn Special
Stay between 29 Nov 2016 and 30 Jun 2017 and get 10% off on selected rooms.
Important Information
A 50 % deposit to be paid when booking, with the balance due two days before arrival or in cash on the the day of arrival. Note that the gravel road is unsuitable for sedan vehicles.
Willowdene Guest Farm Rooms
Reviews for Willowdene Guest Farm2 guest reviews Reviews of
5 out of 5 stars
Willowdene Guest Farm Map
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
Things to do in and around Fouriesburg
Didibeng Mountain Park
(5.6 km from Fouriesburg)
Didibeng Mountain Park has one main circular 4x4 trail which has many routes branching off towards viewpoints. The trails are located about 5 km from Fouriesburg. The main route is mostly a grade 2 and the routes branching off are more challenging...
Addy Hoyle Art Gallery
(26.8 km from Fouriesburg)
The Addy & Hoyle Art Gallery is on the square in the middle of the little artists' village of Clarens. This beautiful mountain retreat is rightfully gaining the reputation as an art centre in South Africa. The gallery is the major outlet for local...
Kloof Mountain Trail
(25.2 km from Fouriesburg)
Start at either the Kloof gate in Hill Street or the tennis courts in Berg Street. The route contains 160 m of climbing until you reach a contour path overlooking the village. Alternative routes are indicated with arrows on the summit. Enjoy...
Kloof Dam Walk
(25.5 km from Fouriesburg)
The short routes around Kloof Dam form part of the Kloof Mountain Trail and are perfect for joggers and walkers with dogs. Nesting waterbirds can be seen around the dam and from spring into late summer the wildflowers are abundant. Pack a picnic and...


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Sycamore Partners buys The Limited for $26.75 million
The apparel chain filed for bankruptcy in January and closed its e-commerce site and stores.
Sycamore Partners buys The Limited for $26.75 million
The apparel chain filed for bankruptcy in January and closed its e-commerce site and stores.
Amazon nabs the top spot for online cosmetics sales
One of every five beauty purchases online is made via the Amazon marketplace, according to a new report.
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Retailers leverage Facebook to give shoppers a more customized experience on their sites.
There's something inherently social about concerts. Sure they're about the music. But for many people they're also about being in the company of friends. That's why Ticketmaster has woven Facebook into its site to show consumers signed into the social network which of their friends are attending which upcoming shows and where those friends are sitting. Shoppers can then purchase tickets close to their friends, share with their Facebook friends where they're sitting, as well as prod their friends to join them at the concert.
The features aren't just cool, they're also producing quantifiable results. Each time a customer uses the site's Facebook-centric features, Ticketmaster generates up to $9 in additional ticket revenue, says Kip Levin, executive vice president of e-commerce for Ticketmaster. What's more, consumers who come to Ticketmaster.com from a friend's Facebook post score much higher in customer satisfaction rates—on average more than 10 points higher on a 100-point satisfaction scale, Levin says.
Ticketmaster is just one of hundreds of sites leveraging the massive amount of information that Facebook's 955 million monthly active users share on the social network to personalize their sites. And, for many, the personalization tools, which range from simple to complex, are producing significant results.
Adding value
Comparison shopping site TheFind.com aims to help consumers discover new products via its Pinterest-like microsite and Facebook application that it calls Glimpse. The site presents shoppers with a live stream of product images other shoppers have clicked that they Like on the roughly 500,000 e-retail sites that TheFind indexes. The products that a consumer sees are customized to that shopper, based on the stores, brands and products that she and her friends have Liked, as well as those that TheFind's algorithm infers she is likely to Like.
To encourage interaction with Glimpse, TheFind sends e-mails to shoppers whenever products they've Liked on any e-commerce site go on sale. TheFind's crawler that indexes products and prices across the web automatically picks up the price drop, meaning merchants don't have to do anything to generate an alert. The feature, called Universal Price Alert, uses the e-mail address that consumers have associated with their Facebook accounts.
Glimpse had about 120,000 users as of late-September. TheFind's goal is to boost that number to 500,000 by the holidays, a TheFind spokesman says. In order for consumers to receive an alert, they have to be connected to Glimpse and to Like a product that has gone on sale. About 25% of price alert e-mails are opened by consumers and roughly 12% of consumers who receive e-mails click through to the e-commerce site that sells the product. The Price Alerts present an opportunity for e-retailers to generate revenue from the Like button, TheFind says. After all, when a Glimpse user clicks the Like button on a red sweater product page, she's telling TheFind she likes that item, so an e-mail letting her know it is now 20% off just might prompt her to buy it.
"We think the Price Alerts are just scratching the surface," the spokesman says. "We envision the ability to do a lot more with the data we have. Price Alerts are popular with consumers and we see them as a proof of concept. What they show is that we understand consumer preference—that we understand their social network. And we think we now have the building blocks for a pretty compelling way to target ads on Facebook."
For instance, if TheFind knows a consumer likes a specific handbag it can probably make an educated guess based on that Like, and the shopping and social data the company has collected, that the shopper might like a specific pair of shoes that go with it, or that she'd be interested in other items that may have just gone on sale or become available in a limited quantity.
Then, the spokesman says, within the parameters of Facebook, TheFind could serve that same shopper well-targeted and contextual ads for products. That isn't happening yet, but it could in the future.
Travel buddies
Many people are more willing to make a purchase when what they're buying has a friend's endorsement. That's why consumers tend to turn to their friends for tips on hotels and restaurants before they travel.
TripAdvisor LLC, a travel review site that doesn't enable consumers to book but does refer them to online travel sites to complete their bookings, aims to streamline that process. For example, if a consumer is logged into Facebook when she visits the site, she can see all of her friends' activities on the site including their reviews, where they have checked in via Facebook's mobile app, as well as the places, hotels and landmarks they have Liked. Visitors can also see how many countries their friends have traveled to, how many reviews they have posted, how many total Likes they have accumulated and their number of total check-ins.
If a consumer is looking for inspiration as to where to journey to next, he can view a map on the site's homepage that shows everywhere his friends have traveled. When he clicks on a destination, hotel, restaurant or attraction, the first reviews he sees are those that were written by his friends. Travelers only see the advice of their Facebook friends that permit TripAdvisor and Facebook to show their reviews on TripAdvisor. Travelers that do not want access to their friends' travel advice, or don't want their reviews to be seen by their friends, can opt out, TripAdvisor says.
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The Supreme Court is surely going to find this question right back on their doorstep next year."


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Sentinel Motel
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TripAdvisor Reviews Sentinel Motel West Chester
Travel Blogs from West Chester
Holy Crap! roads
... photo that I thought was worth sharing.
Coming into West Chester, we had to take some pretty windy narrow roads. You know the kind,they make you white knuckled or nauseated. Try doing it in a rig. Needless to say, I didn't get any photos of the road while we were driving on it.
Mamma Mia
... the strangest event of the day was that when I was seated in the theatre, I was completely surrounded by French people. Initially they didn't think I could understand them. That was quite amusing. They worked out quickly that I spoke the language. :)
The options for tomorrow are endless. I have tickets for the hop-on hop-off bus tour. First, I need to get some ...
Finally back home!
... they were bright red and crinkly. After we cleaned up, we started our 45 minute drive back to our house! On the drive everything seemed so familiar, and I could remember what stores would come next. I sort of wanted to see Pocopson Elementary on the way back because that place is almost like home to me. I go there almost every day, and that is where I can see many of my friends. When we first pulled into our cul-de-sac ...
A Visit to the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.
... br> The cause of the break is thought to have been attributable either to flaws in its casting or, as they thought at the time, to its being too brittle.
Two Philadelphia foundry workers named John Pass and John Stow were given the cracked bell to be melted down and recast. They added an ounce and a half of copper to a pound of the old bell in an attempt to make the new bell less brittle. For their labors they charged slightly over 36 Pounds.
The new bell ...
... the unknown soldier, the libery bell (this one required finding an actor on a park bench. You had to run around saying "Give me Liberty" to the strangers until you found the one with the second part of the clue. The second part was a word search. On the ground there were stones with people's names listed and the jobs that they had, like merchant, innkeeper and so on. When you found all the jobs in the word find, then the words you did ...