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Army's Plans to Halt M1 Abrams Refits Portend Fights Ahead
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Congress, Department of Defense, Events, Federal Budget Process, General Dynamics, Michigan, production program, Restructuring, Services, States, Suspensions, U.S. Army
The U.S. Army has proposed to halt work on M1 Abrams tank refits in 2013 for a period of three years. This means that rather then spending about $500 million a year in the Warren, Michigan area it will use the money for other means. The local government and members of Congress are not happy about the decision. The major contractor involved, General Dynamics (GD), is also ramping up their lobbying to protect the work.
The M1 has been in production for the U.S. Army, Marine Corps and Allies since the 1980's. Now the major work for the U.S. is upgrading, modifying and refitting the vehicles as they return from the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. GD is also building the system for several foreign customers. Much of the work is managed from Michigan and done in various places including Anniston Army Depot in Alabama.
The Army has proposed a three year stop to production and work as they feel the current fleet of tanks meets their needs. The goal is to save over a billion dollars in the proposed FY12 budget which would be reprogrammed for other uses. This proposal has met with criticism as a blow to the U.S. industrial base as it would be the first gap in U.S. production of such systems since the 1930's.
Congress of course has the final say in the proposal being able to write into the Defense Budget money to keep the line open and work continuing. The House has kept about $250 million in the budget for sixty tanks which is less then the current average funding but it would keep the line open. A three year stop would require layoffs by GD and also may require work to re-certify the line and the ability to bring back workers to meet the needs in 2016 when the Army plans to restart production.
It would not just be GD that would be affected but also all of their various sub-contractors and suppliers. The gap may require GD to find new suppliers able to build the parts as some companies may stop making or keeping the ability to produce the parts needed as they turn to other markets. In today's economy it is hard to just stop work for three years and then be expected to start it up again. There would be an economic cost to all of this some of which would be paid for by the Army offsetting the savings to the budget due to the halt.
All this portends many other battles if and when the U.S. military begins to make similar cuts across their budgets. Every program cancelled or scaled back will have an economic effect on some Congressional district, companies and employees. All three groups will fight to keep it even if the Defense Department and Obama Administration claim there is no need for it. This small battle – and $1 to 2 billion is a small part of a $700 billion budget – will occur again-and-again as the U.S. tries to deal with its budget crisis and the winding down of Iraq and Afghan operations.
Photo from Michigan Municipal League Flickr photostream.
Israel Buying Armored Trucks In The U.S.
Filed under: Alabama, Arotech, Business Line, Companies, Countries, Earnings, Events, Israel, logistics, Michigan, production program, States
Arotech Corporation of Michigan reported their recent quarterly earnings. The company still performed at a loss but compared to the same quarter last year saw strong improvement. The company almost halved its loss from $1.9 million to $1 million on revenues that were up almost $3.5 million.
One of the prime reasons for this growth in revenues was the sale of armored trucks, the David, to Israel. The company also makes simulators and armored plate for the military market as well as some commercial products. It's subsidiary, MDT Armor Corp, makes the David in Alabama.
Israel like the U.S. and its allies in Afghanistan and Iraq faces a significant mine and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) threat. The provision of a armored truck makes sense as they must move supplies and troops by road along dangerous borders with the Gaza Strip or West Bank. The David is considered an "ultra light armored personnel carrier" that can defeat small arms and grenades as well as lighter IED attacks. The market for these kinds of vehicles is fairly significant as they can be used for internal security missions as well as light combat duty.
Unfortunately there are many parts of the world where military and police face these kind of threats from terrorist and insurgent groups. The David is one of several kinds of vehicles that would be useful in these kind of situations to move small groups of troops or supplies.
Earmarks Keep Flowing From Congress
Filed under: Business Line, Congress, Contract Awards, Department of Defense, development program, Events, Federal Budget Process, Hires, Limo-Reid, logistics, Michigan, production program, S&T, Services, States
Limo-Reid Technologies of Deerfield, MI will receive a two million dollar earmark in the 2010 Defense Budget if it stands. Right now it is included in the House and Senate versions of the bill thanks to Senators Levin and Stabenow as well as Congressman Schauer. The company is developing a hydraulic based hybrid transmission system for heavy vehicles. The goal is a system that is more efficient and durable. Higher mileage is expected with this transmission as well.
Because it is for such a small amount and has the support of a senior Senator like Levin the chances are good that it will make its way through the whole process and be contained in the final budget. The money will be very helpful to the company and might have potential. The problem with earmarks like this is that while they seem small there are several hundred of them and they ad up. One of the services might think pursuing this technology is worthwhile but not to the point of including it in their prioritized budget. The Department of Defense has a great deal of R&D money to throw at problems but cannot obviously fund everything.
Many earmarks are for things like this: One contract for a company working on something that nobody else may be. They bring jobs to the locality and it makes the legislators look good and shows they are helping out the community. It is also true that Michigan needs all the jobs it can get right now with the collapse of the U.S. auto industry. That does not mean this is necessarily the best use of two million of the taxpayers dollars. The money either has to come from taxes or be borrowed. The U.S. right now has massive debt and it is getting worse and this amount doesn't seem like much but every bit helps.
Follow On MRAP-ATV Contract Awarded To Oshkosh
Filed under: BAE Systems, Business Line, Companies, Contract Additions, Contract Awards, Countries, Department of Defense, Events, Force Protection, Michigan, Mississippi, Navistar, Oshkosh Truck Corp, production program, Services, South Carolina, States, United States
At the end of June Oshkosh won the initial MRAP-ATV contract from the U.S. Department of Defense. This one billion dollar contract was for over two thousand of the lighter and more maneuverable Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles for use in Afghanistan. The DoD conducted a contest between a variety of companies that included a "drive off" to demonstrate capability. While it was thought that more then one company would win contracts only Oshkosh received an order.
Now it was announced today that Oshkosh won a follow on order for another seventeen hundred vehicles for another billion dollars. The company already had to invest in expanding its workforce and capability to meet the first one. Part of any contract award by the Defense Department is based on the winner's demonstration that they are able to meet the production and quantity requirements so Oshkosh should be able to build these. The follow on award though will deal a further blow to Navistar, BAE Systems and Force Protection efforts in the MRAP business.
The U.S. had rapidly purchased a variety of different MRAP vehicles for about four years to provide protection for troops as they moved around Iraq. There is an on-going struggle how to fit these vehicles into their tactical formations now that those operations are winding down. The MRAP are big, road optimized vehicles and are not designed for use in rough terrain or combat. This is part of the reason that the Future Combat System (FCS) vehicle portion was canceled. There may soon be an end to the purchase of any large numbers of MRAP as future more tactical combat vehicles are purchased.
Michingan Economy Losing Defense Dollars As Well
Filed under: Business Line, Congress, Contract Awards, Department of Defense, Events, logistics, Michigan, production program, Restructuring, Services, States
Michigan is seeing its car based economy erode quickly with the bankruptcies of Chrysler and General Motors and now word is that the defense dollars flowing to the state are down as well. Crain's Detroit Business is reporting that defense contracts fell by almost a third compared to the same period last year. One of the problems faced seems to be that the U.S. Defense Department is putting work out to bid but then not awarding the contracts. This may be due to a reassessment of needs by the new Administration, or just changing the timing of the work.
Michigan has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country with no real changes on the horizon that will turn that around. Defense dollars were offsetting some of the losses in civil industry and the state has aggressively gone after them. It is expected that in the next few years to be some major cuts to defense spending and this may exacerbate the problems the state is experiencing.
Altair, TARDEC Emphasize Need for Increased Modeling and Simulation in the Development of Military Ground Vehicles — Press Release
Filed under: Altair Engineering, Business Line, Companies, development program, Events, logistics, Michigan, Press Releases, production program, Promotions, Services, States, U.S. Army
Altair, TARDEC Emphasize Need for Increased Modeling and Simulation in the Development of Military Ground Vehicles
AIM FIRE Military Day event draws key engineering leaders to discuss modeling and simulation tools and their impact on the evolving military vehicle development process
TROY, Mich. – May 15, 2009 – The role of modeling and simulation in tomorrow's defense engineering industry was a focal point for some of the top experts in military and software engineering at the Advanced Innovative Methods for Improved Reliability & Efficiency (AIM FIRE) Military Day, a program co-hosted by leading global technology provider Altair Engineering, Inc. (www.altair.com) and the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC).
More than 170 military personnel, military engineering professionals, and prime/sub contractors, as well as a member of U.S. Senator Carl Levin's staff, participated in the May 14 event at Altair Engineering's World Headquarters in Troy, Mich.
Altair has provided simulation software and consulting to TARDEC and its customers for more than 10 years, and AIM FIRE Military Day was designed to extend that relationship to the most current and urgent needs of America's military forces.
Dr. David Gorsich, TARDEC's chief scientist, delivered the keynote, "Reliability and Efficient Military Ground Systems," which focused on the simulations being used to drive vehicle systems development and the need for more simulation in the testing of these crucial systems.
"Efficiency and reliability are key to improving the robustness of the U.S. military's fleet of ground-wheeled vehicles," Dr. Gorsich said. "We must leverage simulation methodologies in the design of combat vehicle systems to achieve the Army's goals of technologies superiority and readiness."
The AIM FIRE Military Day event served as an important showcase of new and highly balanced design approaches for military ground vehicles, including Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) All-Terrain Vehicles – also known as M-ATV vehicles – which are meant to increase force protection, fuel-efficiency, survivability rates associated with attacks from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and more. A key change in the way these vehicles are being designed is the use of advanced computer simulation methods that help ensure improved reliability and efficiency of the vehicles and their armor and reduced total life cycle costs.
Computer-based programs, employing Altair software, can simulate IED blasts and their potential impact on vehicles of various designs. Data gathered from these simulations may lead to the production of vehicles that weigh less without sacrificing structural reliability and therefore can be equipped with more protection without increasing total weight. Lighter vehicles are operationally more efficient, thereby allowing longer periods between refueling and overall energy and fuel savings. These simulations ultimately create lifecycle cost savings that result from "up front" vehicle optimization design.
"Simulation techniques have immensely improved the efficiency with which we design safer cars and trucks, and similar design tools are making ground-wheeled military vehicles more effective in protecting our troops," said Jason Napolitano, regional managing director for Altair Engineering, Inc.
Currently, six contractors provide MRAP vehicles, but no single vehicle solves all the potential issues that fighting and peacekeeping forces confront. Altair is working with TARDEC to recommend ways to use computer simulation to standardize a design that meets all of the military's needs, which results in a more efficient use of defense dollars as well as supports Michigan's high-tech/defense industry.
The AIM FIRE event covered a wide range of technical issues, from designing a hull that better protects occupants to using simulated field situations for designing and testing vehicles. In addition to Altair and TARDEC, representatives from BAE Systems, Force Protection, Inc., General Dynamics Land Systems and Realtime Technologies, Inc., delivered presentations. The modeling and simulation technologies and strategies discussed at the conference are drawing increased attention from the defense industry, and the AIM FIRE event is expected to set the stage for future industry discussions on using simulation to speed improved vehicle design.
About TARDEC
TARDEC, part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), is headquartered at the Detroit Arsenal, Warren, Mich. It is the Nation's laboratory for advanced military automotive technology. TARDEC's mission is to provide full service life cycle engineering support to the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, the Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems, the Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support, and the Program Manager for Future Combat Systems Brigade Combat Team. TARDEC supports more than 2,800 Army systems and many of the Army's and DOD's top joint warfighter development programs. To learn more, please visit www.tardec.army.mil.
About Altair Engineering
Altair Engineering, Inc. empowers client innovation and decision-making through technology that optimizes the analysis, management and visualization of business and engineering information. Privately held with more than 1,400 employees, Altair has offices throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia/Pacific. With a 20-year-plus track record for product design, advanced engineering software and grid computing technologies, Altair consistently delivers a competitive advantage to customers in a broad range of industries. To learn more, please visit www.altair.com.
# # #
All information contained in this document is protected by United States copyright law and is considered the proprietary property of Airfoil Public Relations, Inc. Any display, publication, duplication, or distribution without the express written consent of Airfoil Public Relations, Inc. is strictly prohibited. Copyright Airfoil Public Relations, Inc. 2009. All Rights reserved.
Navy Awards Advertising Contract
Filed under: Business Line, Campbell-Ewald, Careers, Contract Awards, Events, logistics, Michigan, Services, States, training, U.S. Navy
The Navy continued its relationship with advertising firm Campbell-Ewald by awarding a $800 million five year contract. This is the second largest account the company handles next to its Chevrolet advertising. With the recent report that the Obama administration cut the Chrysler advertising budget as part of the bankruptcy deal it may be that Campbell-Ewald best customer will be the Federal government.
As reported with the Army National Guard that despite meeting recruiting goals the Navy will keep advertising. The current economy is credited with much of the recent performance of the services meeting their recruiting goals. While this plays a role a good consistent advertising campaign helps the military keep up the high quality of recruits.
Altair Engineering and TARDEC to Host AIM FIRE Military Day May 14 to showcase how simulation will be a key driver in vehicle development – Press Release
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Events, logistics, Michigan, Press Releases, production program, States, U.S. Army
Event Advisory: Altair Engineering and TARDEC to Host AIM FIRE Military Day May 14
Interview opportunities with engineering executives and military officials and photo opportunities of Golden Humvee and MRAP vehicles
WHAT: Altair Engineering, Inc. (www.altair.com), in conjunction with The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), is hosting AIM FIRE Military Day: Advanced Innovative Methods for Improved Reliability & Efficiency. The event will bring together military engineering professionals to discuss trends and advancements in simulation methods crucial to the development of military ground-wheeled vehicles. These developments focus on such issues as survivability, weight reduction and robotics.
Industry presentations by Altair Engineering, TARDEC, General Dynamics Land Systems, BAE Systems, Force Protection Inc., and Realtime Technology Inc. will cover advanced simulation methods to improve the reliability and efficiency of military ground-wheeled vehicles while boosting power and mobility.
WHO: Dr. David Gorsich, chief scientist of TARDEC's Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), will deliver the keynote, "Reliability and efficient military ground systems," and will discuss how simulations are being used to drive the development of vehicle systems.
Nearly 150 attendees are expected, including military personnel, military engineer professionals, prime/sub contractors and congressional representatives
WHERE: Altair Engineering
1820 E. Big Beaver
Troy, MI 48083
WHEN: May 14, 2009, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
PHOTOS: Military vehicles on display will include a Golden Humvee from TARDEC and a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.
INTERVIEWS: Executives will be available for interviews, including:
- Dr. David Gorsich, chief scientist, RDECOM TARDEC
- Jason Napolitano, managing director, Altair Engineering Anthony J. Norton, practice leader, Land Vehicle Development, Altair ProductDesign Inc.
- Brett Chouinard, executive vice president of Americas, Altair Engineering Inc.
- Mike Heskitt, vice president of Global Engineering, Altair ProductDesign Inc.
MORE INFO: Visit www.altair.com/aimfire.
CONTACT: To schedule interviews, contact Jennifer Ristic, Airfoil Public Relations, at 248-304-1421, [email protected]; or Jenn Korail, Airfoil Public Relations at 248-304-1429, [email protected]
# # #
All information contained in this document is protected by United States copyright law and is considered the proprietary property of Airfoil Public Relations, Inc. Any display, publication, duplication, or distribution without the express written consent of Airfoil Public Relations, Inc. is strictly prohibited. Copyright Airfoil Public Relations, Inc. 2009. All Rights reserved.
Force Protection Looks at Expansion in Michigan
Filed under: BAE Systems, Business Line, Companies, Department of Defense, development program, Events, Force Protection, logistics, Michigan, Oshkosh Truck Corp, production program, Proposal, U.S. Army
Force Protection which had ridden the boom in the demand for MRAP vehicles from the U.S. military had its struggles in the past two years. See this previous article for more. Recently the company had bid on the new MRAP-ATV requirement for lighter, more maneuverable MRAPs for Afghanistan along with several other companies. In preparation in case it wins one of the multiple development contracts that are part of this plan the company as reported by Crain's Detroit Business is looking at more space in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Other companies who bid include Oshkosh and BAE Systems. The contract announcements are expected in April.
U.S. Buys More HUMVEES
Filed under: AM General, Business Line, Contract Additions, Department of Defense, Events, Michigan, production program, Services, States
The U.S. Department of Defense executed an option to buy 1,700 more HUMVEE vehicles as part of an existing contract with AM General. WNDU.com reports the award is worth over $250 million. The U.S. military will soon be moving to replace the HUMVEE with the JLTV vehicle, but there is still requirements for thousands of these vehicles. Iraq and Afghanistan have been especially harsh on the modern jeep and versions with more and better weapons and armor have been developed.
L-3 Wins Bradley Maintenance Contract
Filed under: Business Line, Contract Awards, L-3, logistics, Michigan, production program, U.S. Army
The U.S. Army awarded L-3 Communications Systems a follow-on contract to run the M2 Bradley transmission maintenance facility in Michigan. Mlive.com has the story. The contract is worth over $50 million and will last five years. L-3 also expects to receive further contract extensions on other work they are doing with military vehicles.
Michigan economic development wars
Filed under: Congress, Contract Awards, development program, Federal Budget Process, logistics, Michigan, production program
As we have previously mentioned here and here Michigan has set up various entities to promote the state's companies for defense contracts. According to this article though the head of the state organization is upset with one of the regional ones for not doing enough. The state hired a retired USMC general to run their organization and now he is raising a dispute over the efforts of one setup for the Western part of the state to the point where he wants to establish his own organization to do the work of the existing one. I guess when you are going out for Federal dollars no effort is wasted.
BRAC moves cause BAE to plan expansion in Michigan
Filed under: BAE Systems, BRAC, development program, Federal Budget Process, Michigan, production program
This article describes how BAE plans to expand its facilities and hire more workers at its Land & Armaments group. Under the most recent BRAC the Army will move its unmanned vehicles program offices to Warren, MI from Huntsville, AL. This leads BAE to believe that work will be coming with them. The state of Michigan has also assisted BAE by providing tax credits and training funds for the expansion. The Michigan economy has taken many recent hits with the decline of the US auto industry.
Company to expand in Michigan
Filed under: Ace Electronics, Michigan, production program
Ace Electronics, a maker of wiring for military vehicles, plans to expand it facilities in Michigan. See a story here. This is due to an increase in the orders they are getting from the US military. The company made automotive wiring products but now are doing a substantial expansion to support their military contracts. Military vehicles, even the humble HUMVEE, are getting more and more complicated electronics to include remote control turrets that are requiring more sophisticated wiring harnesses and installations. These are much like those for aircraft and since most of them are almost handmade they require skilled labor. Ace feels that this is available in Michigan due to the downturn in the auto business.
BAE may expand Michigan facility
Filed under: BAE Systems, development program, Michigan, production program
This story is about how BAE Systems possible expanded production of MRAP's and their submission of a bid for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) contract may allow them to enlarge their Michigan facility. Right now no production is done there, but the demand for the MRAP or JLTV may lead that to be done at their Sterling Heights facility. While there has been consolidation in the US defense industry since 1990, the demands of the current budgets have made it possible for the companies to invest in physical plant to increase production and repair of key items. Read more
Michigan company develops portable power conditioning system
Filed under: Contract Awards, development program, logistics, Michigan
The Newkirk Electric Associates of Michigan has developed a prototype system that is portable and allows multiple types of electrical generation to be combined and conditioned. See mlive.com for more on this. The system is funded through a contract worth $1.4 M to NextEnergy, a non-profit alternative electricity generator. Read more
Defense budget flows to economicly hard off Michigan
Filed under: BAE Systems, Federal Budget Process, Michigan
According to this article in Crain's Detroit Business the economically depressed state Michigan is seeing some gains from the increases in the defense budget due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army has a large presence in Michigan due to its activities in Warren, MI which include track and wheeled vehicle development. BAE Systems which manufactures M1 and M2/M3 systems is also building up its group there .The service is also planning on moving its robotics efforts there as well.


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Irrigation guidelines for mixed pastures and lucerne
Expanded Title:
Sustainable pasture production requires optimal nutrient, water and defoliation management practices in order to attain good yield and forage quality. The basic understanding of the water requirements and drivers of irrigated pasture production systems, are essential for the development of sound water management strategies. Pasture systems, however are highly complex involving interactions between crop growth, soil and plant nutrient dynamics, and livestock and pasture management systems. This project focussed on mixed pastures which either included the subtropical kikuyu pasture oversown with a temperate grass, or a temperate grass mixed with a temperate legume. The two most important legume species evaluated in this project included lucerne and white clover. Considering temporal and spatial complexity, it is difficult to evaluate an entire system with short-term monitoring experiments. Development of site specific optimal irrigation management practices requires costly long-term trials. Since it is expensive and impractical to test multiple irrigation application strategies, this project has focussed on synthesizing on-station and on-farm data together with fragmented historical data and the use of empirical models to provide a better understanding of the behaviour of different pasture systems and to identify and develop tools and general guidelines in order to increase water use efficiency at farm level. In evaluating various pasture treatments and production systems, it was imperative to assess a few important plant growth parameters to understand the effects of irrigation and defoliation on pasture production. With respect to defoliation, two approaches were taken during this study. (a) One approach was to monitor pasture under well managed conditions which included mechanical harvesting, representing at least a 90 % defoliation rate and a hay production system. (b) The second approach was to monitor pasture treatments under a grazing system to represent on-farm practices. Currently, satellite-based remote sensing is showing promising results in estimating irrigation requirements of many crops. In the near future, this technology could become a more affordable tool for managing irrigations of pastures. The accuracy of the technology for pasture management will hereby be assessed. This can therefore inform any potential future use of this technology for real time irrigation scheduling for pasture management. Pasture systems are highly temporal and spatially complex, as they involve interactions amongst crop growth, nutrient dynamics between soil, plant and animal and pasture management systems. Hence, it is difficult to evaluate the whole system with short-term monitoring experiments. Development of site-specific pasture and irrigation management practices requires costly long-term trials. It is expensive and impractical to test multiple irrigation and other pasture management strategies in all pasture growing areas. Models can be used to extrapolate research findings (irrigation and other pasture management requirements) to pasture growing areas. Models can also be helpful in selecting best management practices for specific sites and environmental conditions. From literature it is evident that there are knowledge gaps regarding the pasture crop growth responses to management practices in relation to the amount of water used. There also exists a lack of data and reliable information pertaining to water requirements of valuable pasture legumes. Methods to address these gaps, therefore, need to be devised and applied in order to increase water use efficiency of important irrigated pasture crops at farm level.
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Agricultural Water - Small holder irrigation
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Truter W; Sehoole O; Murphy M; Fessehazion M; Annandale J; Jarmain C; Dlamini M; Everson C
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Hundreds of women published poetry during this period.
Gwendolyn Brooks became the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in poetry, in 1950, with Annie Allen.
Marianne Moore was the first woman to win another top poetry honor, the Bollingen Prize, in 1952.
In the 1960s and 1970s Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton were known for very personal poems about their emotional struggles; both committed suicide.
Ms. magazine, edited by Gloria Steinem, first came out in 1972; it soon had 350,000 readers.


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Proper communication is absolutely vital in today's business world. Without proper communications, your business will not make the right decisions in a timely manner. Over the last century, American businesses have gone from using letters and verbal communication to using e-mail. As the pace of business has sped up, the form of communication has kept up. Today, many businesses are turning to video chat systems to ensure that communications happen quickly and in an understandable way. There are many video chat systems in the marketplace, but one of the best video chat systems in the marketplace today is Talk Fusion.
Talk Fusion is a unique company that focuses almost exclusively on video chat systems. Everything from video e-mail to video conferencing is part of Talk Fusion's business. They have been in the business for many years, and they have received rave feedback from their customers. Recently, Talk Fusion started receiving major awards from industry publications.
On August 15th, Talk Fusion received a major award. Their revolutionary video chat program received the 2016 Communications Solutions Products of the Year award by Technology Marketing Corporation. This is the second award that Talk Fusion has received from Technology Marketing Corporation.
The Communications Solutions Products of the Year Award is meant to honor products and services that make video communication much easier. Technology Marketing Corporation closely follows the industry and they give the award to the most revolutionary product in the marketplace that year.
Bob Reina is the founder and CEO of Talk Fusion. He is extremely proud of this award, but he sees it as just the beginning. He has hired an extremely talented team of IT professionals. They have big plans for the future of their system. Their All-in-One Video Marketing Solution should stay ahead of the curve for years to come.
Talk Fusion is an incredible product, and they plan to keep rolling out new and unique products. They have offered free trials to draw in businesses that want to try their product. Their system offers video chat, video e-mail, and other vital video solutions. They hope to keep innovating for years to come.


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The Gibson Brothers
A No Depression blogger referred to members of the band as "..the Gibson Brothers who don't share the Gibson name." But there's no doubt they're a band of musical brothers as Steve Leftridge of PopMatters described them this way: "Eric and Leigh Gibson might have, pound-for-pound, the most impeccably fine-sounding traditional bluegrass band on the contemporary scene. ...the reason these guys can't lose is that, quite simply, they sound so great. Eric and Leigh sing bluegrass' tightest harmony blend, and, instrumentally the group plays with unmatched alacrity and taste. "
Mike Barber
Sometimes called "the third Gibson Brother," Mike has been with the band since 1993. In addition to his bass duties, he has co-produced the band's last 6 CDs, including Help My Brother, winner of the 2011 IBMA Album of the Year. He holds co-producer credits on the band's 2013 release, They Called It Music. Mike's also been an instructor at Augusta Heritage in West Virginia and at the Kluane Mountain camp in the Yukon, as well as at festivals around the country.
Chris Stuart wrote this about Mike in a Bluegrass Unlimited article: "He is still a fanatic about tone and timing. In his search for the perfect bass tone for the band, he has settled on using a mix of gut (G and D) and steel strings (A and E), but it's undoubtedly his touch that creates such a gorgeous tone for the Gibson Brothers band. He still plays a 1949 Kay bass, only the second bass he's owned."
Clayton Campbell
Clayton's been playing fiddle, mandolin, guitar and singing backup since he was 7 years old at the Kentucky Opry, a family-owned entertainment attraction on Kentucky Lake. Working as a member of the house band backing country singers made him a good fit for the Gibsons, who also grew up loving country classics.
Clayton joined the Gibson Brothers in November 2004, in time to record two tracks on "Red Letter Day," and the four Gibson CDs since then. Clayton has also taught at music camps such as Augusta Heritage in West Virginia and Kluane Mountain in the Yukon and at festivals around the country.
Jesse Brock
Jesse Brock was voted winner of the 2009 and 2015 IBMA Mandolin Performer of the Year award. He has spent his life in bluegrass, starting with his family band at the age of nine, and later with national acts such as Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, The Lynn Morris Band, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper and Audie Blaylock & Redline. Jesse is also a solo artist in his own right, with an IBMA award-nominated CD "Kickin' Grass" on Pinecastle. His studio skills are not limited to recording -- Jesse co-produced Rick Lang's "Look to the Light", another multi-award-nominated project. Visit his website.


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Edward A. D'Amico, born in Providence, Rhode Island and long time resident of Downey, passed away on Monday, April 26, 2010, due to complications after a long illness. Edward and his wife Anna moved to California in 1953 and resided in Downey for 40 years. Edward worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District as a senior printer and was also a part-time realtor for Red Carpet and Home Town Realty. He had been retired for about 20 years.Edward is survived by his second wife Eunice D'Amico and two daughters Denise D'Amico and Sharon Romo, son-in-law Daniel, and granddaughters Kristina and Jennifer Romo.
********** Published: April 30, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 2


text: Tariffs/Products How do I use my voucher? Simply visit a Midcounties Co-operative Travel branch and present your voucher while making your booking – remember, no copies of the voucher will be accepted. Alternatively, for bookings made via the call centre or website, the voucher can be posted to Administration Department Midcounties Co-operative Travel, 62 Wolverhampton Street, Walsall, WS2 8DD. Your booking reference, lead name and departure date must be provided in order for us to verify the voucher and apply it to your booking. Did you find this information useful? Yes No


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HP Stream 13 Review
Seeing the increasing popularity of Google's Chromebook, HP and Microsoft teamed up to develop the Stream, a low priced laptop similar to the Chromebook, to be more of a full computer.
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Youth Watch - Chelsea FC
Chelsea FC has stocked up on youth in recent years, with many of the players now reaching the age where they either make it on to the Chelsea squad or leave the team. The past hasn't proven to be bright for Chelsea youth players, but could their be...
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Battle of the Broadcasters: How Has US Soccer Coverage Stacked Up?
The landscape of broadcasting US Soccer has drastically changed over the last 2 years, with BeIn Sport emerging, NBC taking control of the EPL and ESPN losing the rights everything but international
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Promotion/Relegation In America
Obviously, Major League Soccer will be the first tier in the USA, so the bigger debate is who will be the lower tier.The USL PRO, has been in constant decline while the NASL has risen
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5 Thoughts on... The Final Day of the UCL Group Stage
With the likes of Juventus, Napoli, Ajax dropping down to the Europa League, the possibility of some matchups to remember can occur. Imagine Wigan getting the results they need.
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Best Footy Apps
finding quality apps to fulfill your footy needs can be hard. The official EPL and UEFA apps have been disappointing and broadcaster's BBC and ESPN's haven't been much better. Futbol24, FourFourTwo
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'Underdog' Republican Candidates For President
It seems like Rand Paul and Ted Cruz are in the news everyday, so here are some potential candidates for president in in 2016 that you may not have heard of. A similar post about potential Democratic candidates is here. Basic Background: After...
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'Underdog' Democratic Candidates For President
Little known potential candidates for President in 2016. Including Barbara Boxer, Deval Patrick and John Hickenlooper. Main candidates are Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden.
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PUMA evoSPEED 5 FG Review
Puma evoSPEED 5 FG review. Great soccer cleats for attackers and outside midfielders. Overall, better than some addias/nike cleats.
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Red Alert - Soccer Clubs In Crisis
It isn't always smooth sailing as these clubs have found out. Here are teams that are in dire conditions and need change now. This post will be updated as conditions change for the better and worse. The Issue: Heart Of Midlothian filed for...
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EPL Season Preview: Teams #1-10
With the EPL season creeping up, it's time to make some predictions for how the season will end. Here are teams in the upper half of the table (1-10). Newcastle-Liverpool-Chelsea FC
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EPL Season Preview: Teams #11-20
With the EPL season creeping up, it's time to make some predictions for how the season will end. Cardiff City-Hull City(Hull Tigers)-Aston Villa
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Why Orlando City SC Should Become The Next MLS Franchise
After the announcement of New York City Football Club as the MLS' 20th team, the race to be the 21st (possibly) last MLS expansion team has heated up.
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Smart Transfer Moves: Tottenham Hotspur
After a disappointing end to an otherwise fantastic season, Tottenham are already looking toward next season. Tottenham need upgrades in order to make it to the UCL, but don't have the cash to sign a star. Here are some reasonably priced players...
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Smart Transfer Moves: Chelsea FC
Chelsea FC have already got the ball rolling with the signing of Andre Schurrle from Bayer Leverkusen. Below are some other smart signings, and also an analyzation of the Schurrle transfer.
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The Biggest Myths About Soccer
Soccer is a sport revolved around folktale and myths. Some of these myths help make the game even more special. Others are just plain silly. Here are some of the biggest myths about the game of soccer
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The Rise Of American Soccer, And How To Continue It
Major League Soccer attendance and TV ratings are at all time highs. Also, it seems, that after much trouble, the US Men's National Team is becoming a dark horse, and a threat to be reckoned with. While the MLS looks like it has a promising future,...
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Saving Arsenal
It's been 7 years without a trophy and another lackluster year puts Arsenal Football Club in a rough situation. Do they stick with Wagner and hope that their youth comes through or splash the cash over the summer? Without a doubt this will be the most important summer for Arsenal in the Premier...
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A New Era In Women's Soccer: Breaking Down The NWSL
A year after the WPS folded, Women's soccer in the USA is back with the new NWSL (National Women's Soccer League) which is set to kick-off in April 2013. Unlike the WPS, the NWSL has a strong structure, with the full backing of the Canadian, Mexican and American Soccer Federations and tight...
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MLS 2013 Season Preview
As the European Leagues start to wind down, the MLS is getting ready for it's 18th season, which will be arugably the biggest in their history.
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New Ideas For Racism In Soccer
Racism is arguably the most controversial and horrific element in all of soccer. While racism in soccer is was historically found in Eastern Europe, it has spread rapidly from England, to America, to Italy. We all know that racism is wrong and that action needs to be taken, but what action is the...
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Winter 2013 Transfer Window Summary
The transfer window is now wrapped up, with a total of 100.7 million pounds being splashed on players. Now that it's over it's time to predict who will be the next Michu and the next Torres, and to determine whether teams like QPR did enough to stay...
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How Will Mario Balotelli Go Down In History?
Mario Balotelli is known for many things. His brawls with Mancini and Kompany, his "Why Always Me?" shirt and his Hulk celebration are headline news. So how will Mario go down in history?
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Chelsea's Next Manager
After the sacking of RDM, Rafa Benitez was put in charge on an interm basis. A new manager will most likely be appointed over the summer (or sooner if the Blues struggle) so here are some of the top contenders. The Roman wanting Pep in charge has...
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Best Soccer Moments Of 2012
No matter who you support, 2012 has been an exciting year in soccer. There's Chelsea winning the UCL, Spain claiming the EURO, Juv going undefeated and Man City's last minute championship, not to mention Lionel Messi breaking the goal record. Let's...
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EPL Mid-Season Awards
After the first half of a thrilling EPL season, it's time to give out the awards for the best and worse in the EPL so far.
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Champions League Teams In The Europa League
As the final teams have been knocked out of the Champions League, the 3rd place finisher falls to the Europa League. More times than not, fans consider the Europa League to be "the minor leagues". Here we are going to look at how UCL 3rd place teams do in the Europa League, and uncover the biggest...
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Where Are They Now? Anderson Luís de Souza (Deco)
Anderson Luís de Souza or Deco, started his long and famed career with Corinthians in 1996. He only played 2 games with them before being transferred to Benfica. He never played for Benfica, and was on loan the entire time before going to Porto,...
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The History Of AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon was formed following the relocation of Wimbledon F.C. to Buckinghamshire in 2004. Wimbledon F.C. had won the F.A. Cup in their glory days, and bounced around the Football League through the years. In 2001, Wimbledon F.C announced they...
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A Look Back: Di Matteo With Chelsea FC
From winning the Champions League as an interm boss, to being fired after a 3-0 loss to Juventus, Roberto Di Matteo has had a roller coaster of a "career" with Chelsea Football Club. Here is a look back at RDM's best and worse moments with the Blues.
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First Impressions On Chelsea Boss Rafael Benítez
After Roberto Di Matteo's harsh sacking, former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was appointed just a few hours later. After losing such a fan favorite, it was expected that Chelsea would appoint the most uncontroversial boss possible. While at...
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My Ultimate Soccer Dream Team
Every soccer fans has a soccer dream team, whether it is in FIFA or in your head, it is the one you wish your team was made of. Here is my ultimate dream team of current and newly retired players. A rock in the net even with weak (such as...
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Unknown Players Who Would Make Great Transfers
While most people think that Neymar, Hulk and Falcao are the must have transfer targets, here are some that could make just as much of an impact for a lot less. Coulibaly was signed from Siena for 2M after winning the Golden Boot with Ivory Coast...
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MLS Star Salaries: Worth The Price or Total Rip-Off?
The MLS has been growing drastically since the arrival of David Beckham, and more and more teams are offering whopping salaries to European players. The New York Red Bulls and LA Galaxy have the biggest stars, but other teams like the Montreal...
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Where Are They Now? Didier Drogba
From coming from Marseille to Chelsea for 24M dollars to scoring that penalty vs Bayern, Didier Drogba has had an amazing career at Chelsea Football Club.
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Why Fútbol Trumps Football...Even In America
The MLS is the laughing stock league to many Americans, who prefer football over fútbol. While total attendance and stadiums sizes might say otherwise, fútbol still trumps even in the USA. While the MLS attendance average has been about 19,000...
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A Look Into The Stars Of Tomorrow
Let's face it, today's stars are getting old. Drogba is 34, is 28, Maicon is 31, Zanetti is 39 and well, Giggs maybe as old as Fergie (he's 38). We need to look to the big boys (England), along with some lesser known players in leagues like the MLS....
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Dimitar Berbatov: The EPL's Secret Star
Dimitar Berbatov, is probably most known for sitting on the bench for Manchester United, while striving in the little playing time he would get. However, now the he has joined Fulham, look for him to be one of the EPL's biggest stars, even at the...
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EPL Transfer Deadline Review
The biggest transfer deadline moves will be analyzed and "dissected" by team. Added: Clint Dempsey (Fulham) Hugo Lloris (Lyon) Moussa Dembele (Fulham) Out: Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg) Giovani dos Santos (Mallorca) Luka Modric...
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Why The MLS Is On Track To Be The World's Best League
Even with David Beckham and many other stars swapping Europe for America, it still remains a little dot in the world of soccer. Unfortunately, for the rest of the world, it's time for the North American soccer revolution. While the EPL may dominate...
- 3
Arsenal: Bound for 38 0-0 Draws?
With the sale of RVP and Alex Song, Arsenal has no real source of goals other than Oliver Giroud, or stardom. Take a look.... Player and Goals Last Season Theo Walcott, 4 Thomas Vermaelen, 6 Bacary Sagna, 1 Laurent Koscielny, 3 Tomas...


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Now on Cable News
FLASH NEWS!!! 5.3 earthquake in California, home to many white women!
FLASH NEWS!!! New tidbit about white woman in Aruba!
FLASH NEWS!!! White woman runaway bride signs half-million dollar deal for TV movie!
Oh and um we think there may be some little get together in some basement room of the Capitol. We're not too sure.
For everyone who doesn't want their news dumbed down and diluted, the Conyers hearings will be re-broadcast on C-SPAN 3 at 8pm tonight and on C-SPAN 2 at 8pm tomorrow night. If you didn't catch 'em they were great, they will do your soul good.
The All White Women Networks will, as usual, keep you up to date on all damsels in distress. Provided of course that they are white.


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The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine
About the book:
The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine
Author: Thomas Paine
Publisher: Merchant Books
Publish date: May 29, 2010
Pages: 180
Language: English
genres: Banned Books, Religion, Philosophy, Non-fiction, Audiobook
In the opening year, 1793, when revolutionary France had decapitated its above all else, the fury turned next upon the King of rulers, by whose grace each dictator guaranteed to rule. Yet inevitabilities had carried around them an incredible English and American heart – Thomas Paine. He had argued for Louis Caper – "Kill the ruler yet save the man." Now he argued, – "Disbelieve in the King of lords, however don't befuddle with that icon the Father of Mankind!"
This is a splendid, fitting gem; a fitting creation to well-adjust the labor of love of one of history's savvy monsters. By utilizing a writing that is both clear and shockingly vernacular, the thoughts introduced ought to be receptive to the majority of today's followers. Thomas Paine uncovered and examines basic inconsistencies, disagreements, and patent irrationalities held inside the center statutes of the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious frameworks. Subsequently, we assume that for the religiously slanted – and as confirm by one survey beneath – Paine's work might speak to a respectable philosophical danger.
Mark Twain kept in touch with, "It took a courageous man after the Civil War to admit he had perused The Age of Reason. we read it first when we were an offspring pilot, read it with alarm and dithering, yet wondering about its bravery and magnificent force.
As an aside- a decades later long work in backing of the French Revolution- Paine came back to the United States at the individual welcome of President Jefferson. At his demise, he was covered on the homestead given him by Congress at the closure of the Revolutionary war.
The purpose of this mellow criticism is to support a perusing of this sublime record. History is a companion of flexibility and a solution for oppression.
In the event that we think about the Founders as contained the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, major figure in governmental issues and war that headed triumph, and the composers of the Constitution, then regarding religion we have an assorted aggregation. A lot of people, maybe a larger part were main Episcopalians, yet the American extension of the Church of England was everything except truly arranged to Latitudinarianism, that is to say Deism with sermons.
A couple of were protestants of different divisions, and a handful were Roman Catholic. Some joined with Jefferson, in a more open grip of Deism. Others were the same, yet in less obvious design. A couple of like Paine and Franklin openly or secretly took Deist positions that today might be seen as edging on agnosticism, contending that the voice of nature gives surfeit reason for ethical learning and human progression.
The purpose of this mellow tirade is to empower a perusing of this glorious record. History is a companion of flexibility and a solution for the future.
Download The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine
If you want to download The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine then here is The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine for you just click on the below link to get The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine:


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Markets » Mutual Funds » Asset Allocation
ICICI Pru FMP - Sr.78 - 1130Days Plan T - ... - Scheme Profile
Fund House : ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund
Fund Class : Fixed Maturity Plans
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Asset Type
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Sector Allocation
You can check out the sectoral allocation of the investments made for that scheme by the mutual fund in this Piechart as on the date selected.
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Like Tony Sarg, Melissa Sweet loved to figure out how to make things move as a child. (She even remembers taking apart her own marionettes to see how they worked!) Today, she still plays with simple materials to construct her brilliant mixed-media collage illustrations, for which she has won a Caldecott Honor and two New York Times Best Illustrated citations. About this book, she writes: "As I began to research Tony Sarg, I was especially curious how he went from illustration and puppetry to designing the huge parade balloons. After I spent five years reading everything I could find on him, the Macy's parade, and puppetry—then traveling all over the map to talk to puppeteers—it seemed incredible that so few people knew of his work. I found him so inspiring, I wanted the whole world to know his story." For more information about the author and her work, visit www.melissasweet.net.
Bomb is a 2012 National Book Awards finalist for Young People's Literature.
Bomb is a 2012 Washington Post Best Kids Books of the Year title.
Bomb is a 2013 Newbery Honor book.


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How to keep on keeping on.
October 30, 2015 03:17 | Instrumental lessons, Music Education, Music lessons, School music
By David Ashworth OK, here's the problem in a nutshell. Two of my current freelance contracts involve me getting into secondary schools and discussing music-ed issues with teachers. These teachers tell me that in their feeder primaries, many students have Wider Opportunities [WCET] provision in year 4, some of this gets carried across to y5 and then music lessons disappear completely when serious
Expecting to Fly.
May 28, 2015 03:37 | Music Education, Music lessons, School music
By David Ashworth.In my blog "After the Goldrush – did we miss a trick?" I told my story of hanging around in a typical school art department, and how I liked the things I saw happening there. At the end of my article, I asked the question: why couldn't music departments be more like this?In this blog, I will briefly sketch out the reasons why it is that music lessons are not like art lessons,
Progression in music education?
December 21, 2014 05:33
By David AshworthReproduced from the Youth Music website by kind permission of David Ashworth.There is this thing called 'music education'. When you have been working in music education for a fair while, you get the chance to see how this 'thing' develops and progresses over time.......and what you notice is that it doesn't actually progress. If it did, there would be development towards
Which instrument should I play?
August 25, 2014 09:07 | Music Education, Music Instruments
As the start of a new academic year approaches, many young people will be considering taking up a musical instrument. Choosing the right instrument for you is really important, so there are a few things to consider in making this decision. What instrument do I really fancy? What kinds of tuition are available in my school? How big is the instrument? Can I carry it?Strings
Why is improvisation important?
April 1, 2014 09:46 | Music Education
By David AshworthReproduced from the Teaching Music website by kind permission of David Ashworth.Improvisation has played a powerful role in many of the innovative developments that have been made throughout musical history, and it is a central part of how countless practising musicians today work around the world. However, in the music classroom it often comes as an afterthought, if it is used at


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Parenting is not easy.
While new parents can often learn the best advice from other parents, it seems that these new parents can use all of the help that they can get. Even though they're trying to hard to be a good parent, sometimes they might come up short.
Here are 21 parents who attempted this whole parenting thing, but could totally use a few pointers:


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A lot of people who spent many years of their lives in service got injured or have acquired diseases while they were active on duty. Since their health was compromised, they can no longer continue rendering their services at the military. And to compensate them, they are entitled to the so-called Veteran's Disability Compensation, which is meant to help them and their families.
However, filing a Veteran's Disability Claim is not easy when you do it yourself. It may take forever before you can get the compensation that you deserve. It could cause frustrations due to the tedious process. For this reason, hiring a lawyer that specializes in this type of case is very much needed.
Veteran's disability lawyer
If you are wondering how to find out if someone is receiving disability compensation, then seeking the assistance of a certified attorney is the best way to go. There are many things that such lawyers can do for you and your family. And as long as you hire someone who is experienced and with a good reputation, you can be sure that you will be able to get your benefits soon.
Here are the things that a veteran's disability lawyer can help you with;
Your eligibility
Did you know that there are people who got injured in service but they are not aware that they can actually file a disability claim? It is either they are not sure if they are eligible for the said benefit or not, or they did not know at all, so they had to end up making ends meet on their own with the help of their loved ones.
With the presence of a veteran's disability lawyer on your side, you will be made aware of all your benefits. And this will be the start of the whole process.
If you got denied
Some people try to file the claim all by themselves, and some of them get denied. If you are in the same situation, a good attorney will surely be of assistance to you. He will review your case and point out the reason why you got denied. After which, he will explain to you how you can file an appeal. And this time, the lawyer will make sure that everything is done right.
Filing the claim
Like what we have said earlier, the filing and processing of a veteran's disability claim is a daunting task. If you don't know where and how to start, then it is most likely that you won't get anything at all. But if you employ the services of an experienced lawyer, all of the paperwork will be filed and process the right way.


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Almost all types of insurance seem to make you pay an excess when you claim these days and increasingly consumers find themselves hit with unreasonably large excess bills. Householders who live in 'flood risk' areas are suddenly being asked to pay insurance excess of £2,000 to £15,000.
The excess on prestige or performance cars, even for good drivers, can be anywhere from £800 to £3,000. Pressure selling at the car hire desk is resulting in holidaymakers buying expensive 'crash damage waivers' to avoid excesses of more than 1,000 euros.
How can you avoid these charges?
Recently a new concept has been introduced that insures the excess on any number of insurance policies that might be held.
How does it work?
You buy a single policy that covers the excess on your main insurances.
What can be covered?
Leading providers generally cover your car, home, travel, health, pet, car hire and car warranty excesses.
What do I need to look out for?
Excess protection policies will only pay out following a claim on the main insurance.
Will it cover hire cars?
Yes, but be careful to check whether the policy covers European or international car hire, depending on where you intend to holiday.
What are the claim limits?
Leading providers will let you select a limit that is appropriate to your existing insurances. If you have car, travel and household policies with £250 excess on each then you might choose a £500 limit, as that would allow you to claim twice within the year.
Alternatively, you may want to be protected against the worst happening and take out cover for a higher claim limit.
Can it save me money even if I don't claim?
If you opt for a bigger excess, insurance premiums will tend to be lower. This is particularly the case with travel and health insurance policies, although most insurers will calculate reduced premiums.
Telegraph Excess Insurance, brought to you by Warranty Direct and provided by Insure My Excess, can cover policy excess on motor, travel and car hire, home, pet and health insurance and your car warranty from only £33.16 per year. For a free quote, call 0800 097 8836.


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Audio Composition
Branding with your senses.
So often we focus on the visual aspect to advertising, forgetting there's a whole world of sound out there! Music has a huge impact on human emotion, and is a fantastic way to really communicate and connect with your customers. From sound beds to jingles The Marketing Mix will give your brand a recognisable and memorable audio identity. By using our many contacts in the industry and in-house capabilities, we deliver audio that's both creative, original and cost-effective.
Case Studies
Showroom Showdown
Showroom Showdown Car Giveaway Campaign
- Audio Composition
- Brand Management
- Case Study
- Copy Script Writing
- Database Management
- Email Marketing
- Event Management
- Graphic Design
- Media Strategy
- Production
- Web Design
Wanneroo Mazda
Hail Sale Campaign
- Audio Composition
- Case Study
- Copy Script Writing
- Email Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Illustration Storyboards
- Media Strategy
- Motion Graphics
- Production
- Signage


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Those Halftime College Ads: A Review
Coeds, Cellos and Lab Coats Dominate, but Experts Say Simple is Best; Minnesota Stays On Message
Enough about the conference title races and the Bowl Championship Series. We still have time to sort all of that out on the field. Today's goal is to settle another important score in college football: Which schools have the best (and worst) halftime propaganda spots.
These free 30-second commercials, which are known as "institutionals," have been part of the TV contracts schools and conferences negotiate with the networks since at least the early 1980s. You don't have to watch a ton of football to notice something troubling: Even as schools spend tens of thousands of dollars on these spots, nearly all of them look the same.
At halftime, after watching student athletes bang into each other for 30 minutes, TV viewers are treated to a far more genteel scene: Researchers scurry about in lab coats and safety goggles, cellists saw away in concert halls, graduates toss their caps in the air and impeccably diverse groups of students do purposeful things while smiling.
"It's coeds, cellos and sports," said Chris Wall, an executive with the advertising firm Ogilvy & Mather. "There's the 'hopes and dreams' path, and the cellos-and-electron-microscopes' path. You can see they're not sure what they're trying to sell."
The general standard for a college-football telecast is that each school gets to run a complimentary 30-second spot, plus two for the conference. For an advertiser, such a spot can cost up to $100,000 for a big game. That's why the networks tend to run these institutionals around halftime, when the viewers are least attentive.
To complete our review, The Wall Street Journal gathered 112 of the 120 institutional ads produced by schools in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision, then convened a panel of four experts to watch and grade the ads.
Mr. Wall of Ogilvy & Mather judged each ad on the strength of its message. David Irving, an associate professor in NYU's Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, graded them on technical merit. Two college-bound high-school students, Emma Morrissey and Sky Kalfus, judged the spots by whether they made them want to attend that particular school.
The panel said several ads could have used some serious editing or rethinking. Illinois's spot features a comedian who, as some of our panelists noted, doesn't tell any jokes. The school said the goal wasn't to be funny, but to make the point that the school's curriculum is so broad that students can always find their calling at Illinois.
The Best College Ads
Ball State's ad, which rated poorly, included a monologue from the school president who, at one point, proclaims: "our vibrant campus is beautiful."
Our panel thought Middle Tennessee's spot might have fared better if it had deleted one scene: a play from a 2008 football game that took place against a swath of empty seats. The school said it used the shot because it was an exciting last-second touchdown pass that helped the team beat Florida Atlantic.
In many cases, the schools seem to be trying to serve too many constituencies. In the span of 30 seconds, some schools seem bent on trying to attract teenage prospective students, appeal to middle-aged alumni to open their checkbooks and to show taxpayers what they're doing to stimulate the economy. Some schools say they try to make sure the ads don't look too slick, lest they make state legislators think they cost too much money. "We're trying to do everything, and it's really hard to do," said Scott Ketelsen, director of marketing and media production at Iowa. "Maybe that's why they look the same. You really don't want to alienate anyone."
On the positive side, celebrity appearances didn't hurt. Missouri's ad stood out because of a cameo by alumnus Jon Hamm, the star of TV's "Mad Men." Iowa's ad shone because it was narrated by Tom Brokaw, the former NBC News anchor who briefly went to school there. Iowa was determined to get someone famous after the 2006 Alamo Bowl, when Texas, their opponent, ran an ad narrated by Walter Cronkite. "My phone was ringing off the hook the next day," said Iowa's Mr. Ketelsen."'How did they get Walter Cronkite? Who can we get?'"
More College Football
- The Beatings Will Continue...
- More College Football News and Notes
- Read Darren Everson's Down and Distance column Sundays.
The spots that fared best were the ones that took a narrow approach and made their point without resorting to trite buzzwords and images. "Our motto here at film school is show, don't tell," said Mr. Irving. One of the best examples of that, according to the panel, is Rice's spot. The ad is basically a highlight reel of a major moment in the university's history: President John F. Kennedy's 1962 speech there about putting a man on the moon. The school says it chose Kennedy for its ad because the small Houston school considers itself unconventional and because the speech connotes achievement. In it, Kennedy asks rhetorically, "Why does Rice play Texas?"
"Because once in a while, we win," said Linda Thrane, vice president for public affairs at Rice, which lost its 11th straight matchup against Texas earlier this season. "Not very often, but by gosh we try."
So who's the national champion of self-promotion?
The ad that graded the highest overall was Minnesota's. The ad features Massoud Amin, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, who talks about the importance of creating a better power grid. Our panelists liked the ad because it was about academics. They also thought it conveyed messages about research and diversity without beating the viewer over the head with them.
It's a rare win for the Golden Gophers. Their football team, which is 2-9 this season, recently fired its coach.
Write to Darren Everson at firstname.lastname@example.com


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MySQL 3.23.55 Update for RH 7.2
Posted by philipp on: 02/09/2003 08:38 PM [ Print | 0 comment(s) ]
Cheeta Technologies has released MySQL 3.23.55 RPMS for Red Hat 7.2 and Ensim WEBpplance 3.x
This update is to address a potential local DOS attack on the mysqld server thru a specially created client on the server
Read more


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Dhaka: Ousted Grameen Bank founder
Muhammad Yunus has asked 83 lakh members of the bank to guard
against attempts to takeover the pioneering micro-lending
"Grameen Bank is a priceless wealth for you. Do not
give away this to anyone. You are the owners of this bank. Do
not let go of this ownership," Yunus said in a letter
addressed to the bank members, the Daily Star reported.
The Nobel Laureate`s caution came after his
resignation as the managing director of Grameen Bank amid
speculations that his removal was part of a coordinated
government ploy to take the full control of the bank, the
paper said.
Yunus had said he was quiting to prevent `undue
disruption` in the working of the pioneering microfinance bank
he founded.
Yunus` resignation came as he lost his final legal
battle in the apex court to thwart a Bangladesh Bank decision
removing him from the position on March 2.
"If anyone speaks about taking away the ownership of
Grameen Bank, if anyone speaks against your bank, then you
must protest against it... If you remain silent, the bank will
be taken away from your possession," he said.
The government controls 25 per cent shares of the bank
in paper, while 75 per cent belongs to the borrowers, the
majority of them are rural women. However, the government now
effectively has only 3.29 per cent share in terms of paid-up
capital and the borrowers own the rest.
"Soon you will be put under difficult tests. You must
prepare yourself from now on to come out successfully from
these tests. If you are able to protect this bank, then your
children and descendants will be benefited from its wealth,"
Yunus said.


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Majestic Pure Jojoba Oil for Hair, Skin or As
Amazon Deal Of The Day: Majestic Pure Jojoba Oil for Hair, Skin or As Carrier Oil, 4 fl. oz.
Jojoba Oil for Hair and Skin – Organic, 100 pure and natural – free from any additive, fresh and high quality jojoba oil for skin, hair and nails. Jojoba oil is very stable and does not become rancid or lose antioxidants even after long periods of storage.
Jojoba oil is an excellent moisturizer and doesn't evaporate like water based moisturizers can; spreads well and absorbs well; add 5-6 drops of jojoba oil to any facial moisturizer to convert it into a super-moisturizer; flakiness will subside and the moisturizer will feel much better on your skin.
Since jojoba oil is not an eye irritant, nor allergenic, it can be used to remove eye makeup. It can also be used as a makeup remover on your face and lips.
Apply a few drops onto your finger and apply to your lips for an extra-light alternative to lip balm. Many lip balms contain comedogenic ingredients which tend to clogs pores. As a result, jojoba oil is a great alternative to conventional lip balms. Jojoba oil is a wonderful massage oil as well.
Moisturizers by Majestic Pure
Majestic Pure Jojoba Oil for Hair, Skin or As
The linked site is not operated or owned by FreebieSelect!Freebies posted on FreebieSelect are not being sent by us. If for any reason a freebie become unavailable, you claimed them and did not receive them, you are denied, or any other complications arise, FreebieSelect is not responsible.


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For the longuest time the absence of quality console jRPG games from the iDevice was a gaping hole just waiting to be filled. Early this year Square Enix re-released FINAL FANTASY and FINAL FANTASY II for the iDevice, then followed up with CHAOS RINGS, a celebrated RPG that I thought could have been so much more. What we were left with was the excellent port of the PSP classic – Crimson Gem Saga. Now you can add another to the list thanks to Gameloft's ambitious title Eternal Legacy.
One of the unexpected tentpoles of Apple's September 1st event was the demo of Epic's new game running on the iPhone 4 in the full glory of the Unreal 3 engine. The graphics quality was such that many wondered if it was completely pre-rendered. As a response Epic released Epic Citadel, a tech demo of the capabilities of the engine that proved they were not fooling around. And roughly 3 months later - Infinity Blade - Epic's first true entry onto the App Store arena has seen the light.
In the myriad of Tower Defense titles available on the App Store, only a handful truly warrant attention. Origin8's Sentinel: Mars Defense and the sequel Earth Defense certainly fall into this category, having been critically acclaimed by both the press and iDevice gamers. Third time's the charm they say and with the recent release of Sentinel 3: Homeworld the developers are obviously aiming for another hit TD game.
With the horrendous amount of various Action/Shooter titles on the App Store, it is increasingly more difficult to find something that jumps out at you. Sure, there are loads of dual-stick and side/vertical-scrolling shooters, but to find anything truly original you'll have to dig really deep. The most recent entry by Gaijin Entertainment however, brings a refreshing look on how an action title could be done on the iDevice in Braveheart.
I enjoy a good arcade style racing game. Daytona U.S.A., the Burnout series, Split/Second and NFS: Most Wanted to name just a few. So when EA announced Need for Speed Hot Pursuit I got excited. Then the trailers arrived to show off the game in action and I became ecstatic. And now that Hot Pursuit is released, is it going to join the ranks of some of my favorite arcade racers? Only one way to be sure, read on to find out.
Quality space-sims are far and few between even on the PC, especially if we're talking about the open-world variety. There is the classic Elite, Origin's Privateer series and the fantastic X-series. That's about it. Of course one might say it's a bit of a niche genre, but I say – to hell with that, it's just so much fun! So after spending a considerable amount of time with FISHLABS' sequel Galaxy on Fire 2, I can attest that we finally have a worthy entry in the genre on the iDevice.
If you haven't heard by now, Cut the Rope is the Angry Birds killer. After having spent some time with it, I can begin to see where they might make that claim. Of course it's a completely different style of gameplay than Angry Birds, but from my point of view it's a bit more accessible from a difficulty standpoint. Besides, how can you not love Om Nom? Will it's dethroning of the champion be permanent? I'm not sure, but in the mean time I'm just going to enjoy it for what it is – an incredibly fun physics based puzzler with an adorable protagonist.
I have never been a big fan of keeping a ToDo list. It always felt that it takes more time to write things down to do later, than actually doing them, thus wasting valuable minutes and attention span. But that was until I became a project manager. Once the burden of several complicated projects fell on me simulain, I noticed more and more that unless I jot things down, I tend to forget them occasionally. But we're in the iCentury, right? So when simple jotting is not enough, enter the various Task keeping apps and more specifically – Pocket Informant (Calendar & Tasks).
Whenever people speak about a city-simulation game the first one that comes to mind is, of course the SimCity franchise: SimCityâ"¢ Deluxe (ChiffaN's SimCityâ"¢ Deluxe review, shigzeo's SimCityâ"¢ review). And stunned by EA's glory, they often forget that the SimCity franchise, while the best known, is far from being the only city-building simulation out there.
Last autumn, a game so deceptively simple took the App Store by storm. I'm talking, of course, about Canabalt – the one button game where you control a guy fleeing for his life across the tops of buildings in the midst of an alien attack. One year and big publisher later, enter Mirror's Edge, a title that takes the same basic concept to a whole new dimension. It had a long and winding road to the iPhone, debuting as one of the first major iPad games nearly 6 months ago.


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|Wolfenstein II – The Freedom Chronicles Season Pass
The time has come to once again refresh the tree of liberty with the blood of patriots and tyrants. Nazis have overrun the world, and while BJ Blazkowicz is busy igniting a new revolution in America, other freedom fighters are waging war on their own fronts. Soon you can step into the brave soles of a former football player, an assassin and an Army captain, and battle to restore the soul of America in Wolfenstein II: The Freedom Chronicles. Starring a trio of larger-than-life heroes, The Freedom Chronicles includes three DLC packs:
• The Adventures of Gunslinger Joe – As former professional quarterback Joseph Stallion, smash through Nazi hordes from the ruins of Chicago to the vastness of space!
• The Diaries of Agent Silent Death – As ex-OSS agent and assassin Jessica Valiant, infiltrate Nazi bunkers in California and discover the secrets of Operation San Andreas!
• The Amazing Deeds of Captain Wilkins – As the US Army's renowned hero Captain Gerald Wilkins, embark on a mission to Nazi-controlled Alaska to dismantle Operation Black Sun!
All three DLC packs are available in The Freedom Chronicles Season Pass, which you can purchase now for $24.99 (US) / £17.99 (UK) / $34.95 (AUS). We'll have more info soon, including release dates and additional gameplay details
Gallery on Google Photos


text: Sorry for the double post in another thread, thought this thread was more appropriate. Hello, I really need help soft modding my Wii. I have gone to multiple sites looking for answers and no solutions and am getting no where. To make a long story short I have installed 2 games onto my External HD to test out my former virgin but now soft modded wii. I am using a WD My Passport Essential 500GB/Go USB 2.0 Everytime I load USB Loader GX on my wii with the HDD plugged in, my wii freezes. Than I try to run the app and let is say "Searching for your slow USB" with a 30 second time limit, than plug in my HDD and than it freezes on "Loading...." I am using the correct port, left one if standing or bottom one if wii is lying down. My wii was a virgin at 4.3u but used "Smash Stack" to hack it and than use DOP Mii to downgrade it successfully to 4.1u. Please help me out on getting this to succesfully to work. Also please bare with me and use the simplest english you can in walking me through this. I am not too fimilar with all these apps and mods for this is only my second time hacking a system, the Nintendo DS was my first and the tutorial for R4 Wood on this site was very very useful. If you want we can set up a time too to talk to each other via some type of messanger because I am sure I am going to get lost on techinal terms and asking stupid questions...lol Thank you for the help in advance and I look forwad to talking with you! ---TD


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Status: Closed
Know more about this business than we do? Cool! Please submit any corrections or missing details you may have.Help us make it right
Be the first OregonLive.com user to add photos or videos of Beyond Image Photography
Beyond Images Photography can be found at N Front St 44. The following is offered: Wedding Supplies & Services. The entry is present with us since Sep 8, 2010 and was last updated on Nov 14, 2013. In Medford there are 9 other Wedding Supplies & Services. An overview can be found here.
Beyond Image Photography is located at 44 N Front St, Medford, OR. This business specializes in Photographers and Wedding Supplies & Services.


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|Posted by Tanya on April 14, 2012 at 4:25 PM
Hello! This is my second tutorial. This time, I will be explaining how to add animated sparkles to your graphics using Photoshop CS5. I hope this helps! If you are still having trouble after this tutorial, feel free to leave a comment & I will try to help out as much as I can.
* To enlarge each image, click on the photo.
* The specific glitter/sparkle brush I used for this tutorial can be downloaded for free at this site: click here - I used the brush with the smallest sized glitter/sparkle specks. (There is large, medium & small.)
1. First create your graphic. After you are done creating your graphic, we will begin the sparkle process. Start by adding 3 new layers to your graphic.
2. Click on your first layer so that it is highlighted blue. Next, take your glitter or sparkle brush and click once over your graphic. Specks of glitter will cover your graphic now. If you don't want big chunks of glitter to cover some parts of your graphic, like Taylor's face in this example, just take your eraser and get rid of any glitter or sparkles you might not want.
3. Next, click the "eye" icon next to the layer that you just added your glitter to so that it is hidden. Then, click on the following layer so that it is highlighted in blue.
4. Now that you are on the next layer, take your sparkle/glitter brush and click on your graphic again to add glitter to it. However, try to click in a differernt location on your graphic so that the glitter will not be in the same spot as your first layer.
5. Next, click on the "eye" icon again to hide the current layer that you just added your glitter to. Click on the next layer and make sure it it highlighted blue. Once again, you will take your sparkle/glitter brush and click on your graphic to add glitter to it. Also, make sure you click in a different location on your graphic so that the glitter is in a different spot than the other two layers you created.
6. The next step is to animate. First, make sure that your animation window is visible. If it's not, go to your menu bar at the top of the screen & click "Window" then check off "Animation." A bar should show up at the bottom of your screen.
7. Then, make sure only one of your layers is visible by having the "eye" icon next to one of the layers. After that, go to your animation window & click on the icon that looks like a little post-it note. That is the duplicate button, which will create the next frame in your animation.
8. After you have duplicated your first frame, make sure that the second frame in your animation window is highlighted blue. Next, go to your layers window and click the "eye" icon to hide your first layer that you already used. Then, click to unhide your next layer so that the "eye" icon is now visible. Then, once again click on the duplicate button in your animation window to make your third frame.
9. Next, make sure that your third frame is highlighted blue in your animation window. Then, click the "eye" icon to hide your current glitter layer. Then, click to unhide your third glitter layer so that the "eye" icon is visible on your final layer. This time, you do not click the duplicate button.
10. Now that you have all of your animation layers ready, you might notice when you press the "play" button in your animation window, that the glitter moves very, very fast. That's because the speed between each frame is set at "0 sec." as you can see under each frame. To slow down the speed, click on your first frame -- hold shift on your keyboard -- then click on the third frame. This will select all of your frames at once & they all will be highlighted blue.
11. Now that they are all highlighted, click on the little arrow button underneath one of the frames where it says "0 sec." A menu box will appear with different options. The speed I always select for glitter/sparkle graphics is "0.5 sec."
12. Now that you changed the speed, you can press the "play" button on your animation window. Your graphic should animate slower now. To save your graphic so that it still remains animated, go to the top of your menu bar & click "File" -- then "Save For Web & Devices..." -- a screen will come up, just press "Save."
13. Final product:
I hope this tutorial wasn't confusing & that I was able to help anyone who needed it! Once again, if you ever have any questions feel free to leave a comment and I will try to assist you the best I can. I hope you all have a wonderful day.
love love love, Tanya
Categories: Adding Animated Sparkles
Oops, you forgot something.
The words you entered did not match the given text. Please try again.


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everyone! I'm Tyler Thompson, the Gameplay Producer here at Maxis and I really enjoy helping the team make the new SimCity into a great game.
The new SimCity's simulation is driven by Sims, road networks and traffic. I enjoy explaining it with a biological metaphor: The roads are the city's arteries and veins. The Sims circulate through those roads. They help keep the city alive by going to work, making factories run, keeping stores open, taking home money, going shopping with money, etc... Power, water, and sewage also flow under the roads. Almost every building relies on a vehicle to be effective: garbage trucks, police patrol cars, coal delivery trucks, school buses, taxis and more. The result is a city where the streets are filled with a variety of vehicles and pedestrians, streaming from place to place and keeping the simulation alive.
Traffic jams strangle like a heart attack. Several times, I have looked up from decorating a casino to see dreaded lines of red tail lights.The consequences are pretty dire: Ambulances don't get to injured Sims before they die. Police don't make it to the bank in time to stop a robbery. The coal power plant shuts down from lack of workers. Homes and factories are starting to become abandoned at the edges of the city. In a panic, I start demolishing troublesome intersections, replacing roads, and adding new avenues across town. I also apply some civic "blood thinner": I create a mass transit system featuring shuttle buses, large inter-city buses, light rail and heavy rail. This usually clears the major arteries and gets things flowing again.
Combine this circulatory system with our curvy road tool, and it means that you can make functional, organically shaped cities. We've made face-shaped cities, concentric rings, guitar-shaped cities, and on and on. Often, the city's topography encourages curves: River-side towns can have a snaking boardwalk. Mountain-side cities bend around the base. Lake-side cities with a high-wealth district hug the waterfront. Yeah, I love to play optimized grids, but this game is frequently tempting me to throw away the ruler and start painting roads with a brush.
These curvy, organic cities can be effective because the simulation isn't about distances – it's about flow. When you start to understand this, it totally changes how you lay things out. When I place a fire station, I usually try to find a place that is central, well connected but not near heavy traffic. When I create a central avenue, I often limit the number of intersections with it so that cars don't wait for light after light. I sprinkle commercial sectors at the ends of residential roads to encourage pedestrian traffic. As the city grows, I watch for the long line of red brake lights and plop down bus stops like crazy.
Many times, I find myself just sitting back and watching the flow.


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Trabant Pics
Pictures of Trabants from around the world. Click on the thumbnail to see the full size image:
A few unusual Trabants we've sighted in Germany.
Trabant mural on a remaining section of the Berlin Wall at the East-Side gallery in Berlin, Germany. The back end is on a piece of the wall near the Daimler-Chrysler building in Berlin. These were painted by Birgit Kinder in 1989.
Several Trabant Brochure covers.
More brochures.
Yet more brochures
A cut away diagram showing the simplicity of the Trabant
A very frozen Trabant
The U2 Zootopia Trabants:
Trabants during U2's Zootopia tour
A few of the U2 Trabants now.
The SHOC Auto Trabant owned by Daniel Polak in front of the Chicago skyline.
They raced Trabants in Europe.
A famous photo from Germany just after the wall came down.
A Trabant stretch limo.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some of these pictures were found on the internet and sent to me. If they belong to you, please email me and I will give you proper credit or remove the photo. I do not wish to claim credit where it isn't due.
Send mail to webmaster with
questions or comments about this web site.


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SOFTWARE company BladeLogic, which went public last July, has one of the hippest ticker symbols going: BLOG.
But now that the company is being acquired by BMC Software (NYSE: BMC) those funky four letters are up for grabs.
One problem, though. The way the US IPO market has been doing so far this year, it doesn't look like there will be any takers anytime soon.
According to the Exit Poll report by Thomson Financial and the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), only five venture-backed initial public offerings totaling $282.7 million in proceeds were issued in the first quarter of 2008 — the lowest quarterly number of IPO's since the second quarter of 2003 when there were two issues.
"There is no IPO market right now for venture backed companies to speak of," writes Fred Wilson, Managing Partner at Union Square Ventures.
Thinking about it for just a second, I think if any company deserves the BLOG ticker symbol it's Automattic Inc., the start-up responsible for the amazing open-source WordPress blogging software and other excellent products.
The company raised $29.5 million in a second round of venture capital funding in January, but it seems highly unlikely it will be going public anytime soon.
Perhaps somebody at the NASDAQ will be kind enough to put that cool ticker symbol on ice for Automattic.
Pity you can't buy ticker symbols like you can Internet domain names. Hey, now there's an idea.