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1964-1/2 Ford Mustang - Henry's K
Art Cairo Invested In A Special Restoration For Henry Ford II's Special 1964-1/2 Mustang
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The ordinary classified ad in the Detroit newspaper read, "1965 Mustang once owned by the Ford family." At under $1,000, the asking price was a deal, even by 1974 standards, so Art Cairo went to take a look at the Hi-Po hardtop, which was worse for wear with its original-but-faded black finish. Art also noticed some unusual components. For example, the roof was leather instead of the usual textured vinyl, and the wheel-lip moldings were die-cast metal instead of the anodized aluminum found on production Mustangs. The Mustang also had leaded seams at the door jams and trunk opening, along with GT foglights in the grille, exhaust trumpets, and Styled Steel wheels: items not offered to Mustang buyers when the car was built in early 1964. What's more, it had an alternator charging system, something available only on Lincolns at the time.
Inside was a wealth of black leather upholstery instead of the usual vinyl, real teakwood where Mustangs never had it, chrome door strikers and latches, a factory reverb unit and rear speaker under the package shelf, and molded-leather door panels with pistol-grip door handles. When Art raised the hood, it had an insulation blanket, something never available on a Mustang. He also found front disc brakes, a Top Loader four-speed, and a 9-inch rearend with 3.50:1 gears.
It wasn't until Art spotted the 5F07K100148 vehicle identification number that he was hit by a flood of urgency to buy the car. Obviously, it was an early production '6411/42 Mustang hardtop with the 289 High Performance engine and plenty of unusual features. In the glovebox, Art discovered a '65 Mustang owner's manual inscribed with Edsel B. Ford II's name and Grosse Pointe address. But oddly, the vehicle identification number listed in the manual didn't match the hardtop; 5F09K721789 indicated a '65 fastback.
Art bought the car anyway, not realizing its true significance. For years, he assumed the Raven Black Mustang had been owned by Edsel Ford, who would have been in high school at the time. It wasn't until 1983, during an interview with Edsel for Mustang Monthly, that Art learned the truth about his Mustang when Edsel revealed the hardtop had once belonged to his father, Henry Ford II (HFII). In the interview, Art showed the owner's manual to Edsel, who said he had indeed driven the Hi-Po fastback. Somehow the owner's manual for his fastback wound up in the glove compartment of his father's hardtop.
It is easy to assume that the Ford family owned their unusual, special-order Mustangs, but that's not the case. Both 5F07K100148 and 5F09K721789 belonged to Ford Motor Company and were built for Ford family use. Afterwards, the cars were returned to Ford and sold.
Art's HFII hardtop was a preproduction unit, one of approximately 180 Mustangs assembled prior to the official March 9, 1964, start-up date at the Dearborn Assembly Plant. Research by Bob Fria, who owns 5F07U100002, has revealed that all preproduction units were actually Pilot Plant units bucked at Body & Assembly in Allen Park, not far from Dearborn. All were shipped to the Dearborn plant and assembled there.
Because it was going to Henry Ford II, 100148 received special attention due to requested equipment, such as the alternator charging system. That meant a one-off wiring harness unique to Mustangs. This was learned the hard way during the restoration. A conventional '65 wiring harness required modifications to work with the '6411/42 electrical components. A steel-plate scatter shield was also welded to the transmission tunnel to protect Mr. Ford from possible clutch/flywheel failure. The 289 High Performance engine was a one-off with experimental cylinder heads, undoubtedly hand-built for the earliest K-code Mustang unearthed to date. Even the steering gear was specific for unknown reasons.
When 100148 was completed at Dearborn, it was delivered to Ford Design for the kind of treatment you might expect for Henry Ford II. The conventional Mustang seats were clad in knitted-style leather with unique chrome and teakwood appointments. The instrument panel and glove compartment door were dressed with real teakwood. A custom-fabricated leather headliner was installed, and chrome door latches and strikers were added. A one-of-a-kind AM radio with die-cast chrome buttons was installed, along with reverb and a rear-seat speaker.
Ford Design also borrowed developmental parts for 100148, including the GT foglamps and exhaust trumpets (not available on the Mustang until a year later), die-cast wheel-lip moldings, and more. When Art bought the car, it had '66 Styled Steel wheels, which he is convinced weren't there when the car was delivered to Mr. Ford. It remains unknown what the car had for rolling stock when it was new.
Through the years, Art has touched base with Ford employees who remember the hardtop. One Ford executive garage mechanic recalls Mr. Ford's concern over fuel economy. Granted, most people who ordered a 289 High Performance Mustang weren't concerned about fuel mileage, especially in the fuel-plentiful '60s. But nonetheless, fuel consumption concerned Mr. Ford. The mechanic, baffled about how to improve the car's mileage, decided to swap speedometer gears so the speedometer would read higher and Mr. Ford would drive slower. He never heard anymore from Mr. Ford.
When Art bought the car, he didn't take its history all that seriously. It was just an old Hi-Po Mustang, so he loaned it to his brother, who had a ball with the car until a valvetrain failure shut down the engine. Art performed a top-end overhaul and took the keys away from his brother. While he was at it, he performed a mild restoration and repainted the car, driving it on rare occasions.
For many years, 100148 was a best-kept secret in Detroit as it rarely saw the light of day. Because Art has worked in Vehicle Operations at Ford for many years, he has spent most of his life on the road, charged with new vehicle launches at Ford plants all over North America. This kept 100148 in storage and out of circulation for the better part of two decades.
In 2002, Art became concerned about the hardtop because it was beginning to suffer the effects of storage, dampness, salt spray, and inactivity. When Art asked us how he should approach 100148's restoration, we suggested a thorough inspection to determine the proper course of action. What Art found wasn't good. Rust, decay, and even mice had taken a toll. It was then that he began searching for someone who could perform a spot-on restoration. It was going to be expensive, more expensive than he ever imagined. It ultimately took the coordinated efforts of Mustang Monthly, National Parts Depot, Mustangs Plus, and the discovery of Rustbusters in Redford Township, Michigan.
When Rustbusters went to work on Art's HFII car, they did so with extraordinary care. There was the leather interior to consider, and there was also a leather top and headliner to think about. Rustbusters disassembled the car one piece at a time, taking notes and shooting pictures to make sure it was put back together properly.
As Rustbusters removed parts, the news went from bad to worse. Rust had overtaken the body, floors, frame-rails, wheelhouses, quarter-panels, inner fenders, doors, and cowl vent. Had this been a garden-variety six or small V-8 hardtop, we would have advised Art to cut his losses and part the car out. But that wasn't an option with a historic car like 100148. In this case, a special find became a burden: a commitment to history Art would have to see through.
With parts assistance from National Parts Depot, Rustbusters replaced the damaged parts, obtaining a precision fit by setting the car up in a custom jig created especially for vintage Mustangs. Much time was spent massaging sheetmetal and achieving exceptional craftsmanship. Once the sheetmetal was welded in and ground smooth, Rustbusters laid down a self-etching primer/sealer along with professional-grade seam sealer to ward off corrosion. Art then had the car painted with Raven Black enamel, a vintage paint we weren't even sure you could buy anymore. Once painted, the body was color-sanded and hand-rubbed to simulate the original finish. The original wheel-lip moldings were too damaged to reuse.
Art struggled with which hood to use. When Art purchased the car, it had what enthusiasts call a "1965" hood, with the improved lip. Enthusiasts tend to embrace the theory that all '6411/42 Mustangs came with the unimproved hood with its sharp edges. But research has revealed that some '6411/42 Mustangs got the improved hood. When Art asked us which hood to use, we suggested he go with the hood that was on the car when it was purchased 32 years ago. Not a '6411/42 hood like you might expect, but a '65-style improved hood found on virtually all preproduction Mustang units (and Indy Pace Car hardtops) that have surfaced to date.
While Rustbusters was at work, Art was busy detailing the engine, transmission, and rearend. The original and undisturbed '63 vintage Hi-Po block was bored .030-inch oversize, with decks and line-bore checked for integrity. Remarkably, it was a virgin iron casting that didn't need any more than boring and honing. Photographer and Ford historian Chris Richardson discovered the experimental cylinder-head castings, which at a glance, looked like garden-variety Hi-Po heads. The engine was freshened to factory specifications with cast pistons, ductile-iron rings, oversize .010-inch bearings, and a Crane mechanical flat-tappet camshaft suited to a stock Hi-Po.
When Art inspected the narrow-bolt pattern Top Loader four-speed, it was like new inside, as was the 9-inch rearend. Both went back in the car the same as they came out: factory original except for new seals and gaskets.
Art's timing couldn't have been better. Rustbusters wrapped up the restoration just in time for Ford's 100th Anniversary, and Art rolled Henry's hardtop out for display in front of Ford World Headquarters, appropriately named the Henry Ford II World Center. In Ford's 100th year, Art had the good fortune of showing the completed restoration to Edsel Ford II, who was thrilled to see his father's Mustang for the first time in years. In August of that year, Art was invited to display his Mustang at Ford's exhibit at the Woodward Dream Cruise, drawing plenty of people who both remembered and admired what is undoubtedly one of the most significant Mustangs ever made.
5F07K100148: The Facts
* One-off Raven Black '65 Mustang hardtop built for Henry Ford II
* Preproduction unit bucked at Allen Park and assembled at Dearborn
* Earliest documented K-code 289 High Performance Mustang
* Show-car treatment with leaded seams
* DSO 89 - Transportation Services
* Date code of 05C, meaning preproduction unit
* All-leather interior
* Custom leather door panels, similar to Interior Dcor Group a year later
* Leather headliner and dashpad
* Teakwood appointments
* One-off AM radio with die-cast chrome buttons and knobs
* Factory reverb with rear-deck speaker
* GT foglamps and exhaust trumpets
* Die-cast wheel-lip moldings
* Chrome door latches and strikers
* Custom leather top
* Handcrafted by Ford Design
* Restored by Rustbusters and Art Cairo


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The pros and cons of this offer are different for everyone, so I thought I'd take a minute to give you my specific "set of learnings" from my previous free dining experiences:
- Free dining means I get to use up all of my table service credits in three days by eating at California Grill every night
- Free dining means that Yachtsman Steakhouse stops serving Ribeye because it takes up too much space on the grill
- Free dining means I leave for the airport with about 20 bottles of water because I wasn't able to use all of my snack credits (blame California Grill)
- Free dining means I get to discover that Casey's Corner hot dogs and french fries are the best hot dogs and french fries in Disney World, and that's that.
- Free dining means I should leave more tummy room to use snack credits on Dole Whips!
- Free dining means I have to book my advanced dining reservations even earlier than before!
- Free dining means that the ghost town that was September in Disney World has now turned into a literal free-for-all! Use fastpass!

subset: commoncrawl


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And even spending all that money is no guarantee of lush grass the next growing season, because if it doesn't rain enough soon after fertilizing, it won't end up doing much good. The other day Joe said, "I'd much rather be lamenting the fact that we didn't fertilize last fall than the fact that we did spend all that money and then didn't get any rain." Me, too.
Monday, June 6
Monday Farm Photos: Back in the Hay - for a Whole Lot of Days
And even spending all that money is no guarantee of lush grass the next growing season, because if it doesn't rain enough soon after fertilizing, it won't end up doing much good. The other day Joe said, "I'd much rather be lamenting the fact that we didn't fertilize last fall than the fact that we did spend all that money and then didn't get any rain." Me, too.
10 comments:
As much as I long for the country life, a farm of my own, animals - I don't envy you the hard work that goes into having all that. Maybe spend half of that $4300 on a jacuzzi so you can soak the aches away. Just a thought... :-)ReplyDelete
We just made a hay field. Had it sprigged on Thursday.ReplyDelete
Send RAIN!!!
Such hard work.....I so admire you, though. The scenery is beautiful and Bert is such a cute helper! Like that Jacuzzi idea.ReplyDelete
I'm glad we live in the high desert and don't have enough acreage to grow hay! I admire all the hard work you guys do!ReplyDelete
I was thinking of you this past weekend as we loaded, unloaded, and stacked in the barn a paltry 104 bales of hay. That we just bought and did not have to put up ourselves. Mostly, I was thinking how glad I was I don't have to do this all the time like you do.ReplyDelete
Stay strong. And hey! Enjoy your NEW TRACTOR! WHEEE!!!
Haymaking is quite a different proposition here in Northern California. The grass hay is usually quite thick and has to sit a couple of days after it's cut, then get turned, then sit for another day or two before it's baled. It's been very difficult to do hay this year because it just keeps raining, there's not enough time between storms to get the hay dry. It's going to be expensive in the fall.ReplyDelete
You guys are great! Here's to good rest, and back at it, and happy backs. Aren't there some swell teenagers in the neighborhood that could be coerced into helping at this time of year? I bet if you offered some of your buttermilk ranch dressing, they'd be so happy, they'd bring the buttermilk!ReplyDelete
Okay, Susan, I am coming from a position of ignorance here, but I have a question. I live in the country but our place is more mountain-top than field, so we watch hay being put up but I have never done it. My husband has in his distant past, so I should probably ask him, but I'd rather ask you.ReplyDelete
I had the thought, looking at Hunky Farm Guy carrying the bale to the trailer, "Why not have a heavy, wheeled flat cart, sort of like a Costco cart, that the bales could be lifted onto and then pulled to the trailer?" It seems to my very inexperienced mind that that would at least eliminate carrying the bale across the field. What do you think?
I like two of the above ideas: let big strong strapping teenagers help, maybe in exchange for your amazing Farmhouse White Bread, or Emergency Chocolate Cake; and the jaccuzzi. Maybe you could let the temperature drop and cool off in the jets?
Hi Everybody,ReplyDelete
Thanks for the comments. My plan is to be hopefully be back tomorrow to answer your questions (hiding in the a/c again while we endure yet another day in the 90s, with no end in sight) - probably while Joe is out doing the third cutting of hay. Slowly but sweatly we're determined to get it all in the barn! :)
- Anonymous6/08/2011 6:16 AM
Hi Susan. Best of luck with all this hard work. It's so nice to see the original rectangular bales. I grew up in the country in Holland and we used to have those (although it was straw, mostly). Now everybody seems to have switched to the round, plastic-wrapped bales. So ugly and of course kids can't build castles with them like we used to! CynthiaReplyDelete
December 2015 update: Hi! For some reason I can't figure out, Blogger hasn't been letting me leave comments on my own blog (!) for the last several months, so I've been unable to respond to your comments and questions. My apologies for any inconvenience! You're always welcome to email me: farmgirlfare AT gmail DOT com.
Hi! Thanks for visiting Farmgirl Fare and taking the time to write. While I'm not always able to reply to every comment, I receive and enjoy reading them all.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and I especially love hearing about your experiences with my recipes. Comments on older posts are always welcome!
Please note that I moderate comments, so if I'm away from the computer it may be a while before yours appears.
I try my best to answer all questions, though sometimes it takes me a few days. And sometimes, I'm sorry to say, they fall through the cracks, and for that I sincerely apologize.
I look forward to hearing from you and hope you enjoy your e-visits to our farm!


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Cartoon Network sent out an announcement for their new and returning series.
We see information on the new animated Beware The Batman CGI show, a new Ben 10 animated, as well as the Annyoying Orange and more.
Full details below.
Press Release
Cartoon Network Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Ratings Growth and
a New Generation of Content for a New Generation of Kids
The #1 Network with Boys 6-11 Announces Slate of New and Returning Series
CartoonNetwork.com Ranks as #1 Domain in Kids Category
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, along with double-digit growth and its #1 status with boys 6-11 on all of television, Cartoon Network announced today several new and returning series to its programming line-up.
Having its best first quarter with kids in prime in five years (up 28% vs. 2011) and showing the most gains compared to the competition in the kids space, the network's afternoon Upfront presentation held at New York's Roseland Ballroom paid tribute to the past and present with a full orchestra playing classic Cartoon Network television theme songs and live performances from the creative talent behind the hit animated comedy series Adventure Time and Regular Show.
Announcements included a new sketch comedy show from entertainer Nick Cannon; the world premiere of DreamWorks Dragons: The Series, based on the critically-acclaimed feature film, How to Train Your Dragon; an original series based on Web sensation, Annoying Orange; a brand new animated series from the global franchise powerhouse, Ben 10: Omniverse; and a new CG-animated series from Warner Bros. Animation, Beware The Batman. Also, on the heels of the hugely successful Ninjago launch in 2011—currently the #1 show across 1st Quarter 2012 with all boys—a new partnership with LEGO for a second series was announced by the network as it continues to build on its slate of diverse content.
"We are executing a brand vision and content strategy that is fueling tremendous results for Cartoon Network," said Stuart Snyder, president and chief operating officer, Turner Broadcasting's Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media (AYAKM). "Today, with a re-invented and thriving prime time, along with overall double-digit growth in total day, we are building the kind of momentum that is making this a great 20th anniversary."
Ranking #1 in early evening prime time (7-9 p.m.) among boys 6-11 throughout 1st Quarter this year, Cartoon Network also announced new upcoming seasons of its original hit animated comedy series Adventure Time, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, MAD and The Looney Tunes Show. A 2nd season pick-up for the live-action comedy series Level Up, which debuted as the most watched live-action series in the network's history, and a 5th season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, also was announced.
Combined with top-performing acquisitions and specials, these programming anchors not only fueled 2011's prime time performance as Cartoon Network's most-watched in five years, they also set the stage for a record breaking first quarter in 2012. New seasons for more than a dozen additional series also will premiere across the 2012-13 programming timeframe.
"For 20 years, Cartoon Network has cultivated truly original voices from a diverse array of artists and producers, making us the great alternative to everything else out there," said Rob Sorcher, chief content officer for Cartoon Network. "Cartoon Network Studios has grown to become the most supportive and creative environment for a new generation of creators."
Cartoon Network also announced its ongoing commitment to its shorts program with ten original 7-minute shorts to be produced this year with a wholly dedicated production unit at Cartoon Network Studios. With production already underway on many of these projects, this continuing investment in diverse and unique talent has resulted in many of the network's hit animated series.
Additionally, the network revealed that a third Cartoon Network Hall of Game Awards special has been slated for early 2013. The second annual telecast (Feb. 20, 2012), hosted by Shaquille O'Neal, ranked as the #1 program of the day among all boy demos, and out-performed the inaugural Hall of Game special by double and triple-digits—between 64% and 103%—across all kid and boy demos. Online voting for the celebrity sports awards also nearly tripled in participation, from 37 million votes in 2011 to more than 100 million votes in 2012.
"Cartoon Network enters into the upfront season with strong momentum and a programming foundation that is resonating with our audience, as well as advertisers," said John O'Hara, executive vice president and general sales manager, Cartoon Network. "The ad sales team is committed to developing ideas that extend the reach of an advertiser's message and connects their brands across multiple screens with an engaged audience. As brands look to deliver measurable return on their investment, we believe it's a good time to reassess plans and for advertisers to strategically increase their media budgets with Cartoon Network."
Building off of the success of CartoonNetwork.com ranking as the #1 domain in the kids category among kids 6-11*, the network announced that its next big foray into on-line gaming would be the global roll-out of Formula Cartoon, a huge on-line racing game which will let players race against their friends or favorite Cartoon Network characters.
* Source: Data from comScore Media Metrix run on domain level for Unique Visitors age 6-11 in the Media – Entertainment – Kids category for the February 2012 reporting period
Further details of Cartoon Network's programming announcements include the following:
- Nick Cannon Sketch Comedy Series: The series is a live-action, half-hour, sketch comedy show rooted in raw mischief, high energy and slapstick humor. You'll never know what will happen next! Some of the silliest kids you know will make up this wild comedy troupe led by teen stars Jeremy Shada (Adventure Time), Brandon Soo Hoo (Enders Game, Tropic Thunder), Shameik Moore (Joyful Noise), Shauna Case (American Horror Story) and Chanelle Peloso (Level Up). Nick Cannon will bring the funny as creator and executive producer along with executive producers Michael Goldman and Scott Tomlinson. The series is being produced by Cartoon Network Studios in association with NCredible Entertainment.
- Annoying Orange: Boasting more than 1 billion YouTube online views to date, Annoying Orange is the Web sensation transformed into a new television series that follows Orange and his buddies as they go on a wide range of adventures that take them from the fruit stand to parts unknown and everything in between. The television series was developed and will be produced by The Collective. Dane Boedigheimer co-created the television series with Tom Sheppard (Emmy Award-winning writer for Pinky and the Brain). Conrad Vernon (director of Madagascar 3 and Monsters vs. Aliens) will serve as executive producer for the series along with Gary Binkow and Dan Weinstein of The Collective. The series will premiere on Cartoon Network this summer.
- DreamWorks Dragons: The Series: Picking up where the critically-acclaimed feature film, How to Train Your Dragon, left off, this weekly animated series follows the continuing adventures of Hiccup and his dragon Toothless on the island of Berk, along with the band of dragon trainers, all of whom now have dragons of their own!
Through their training, the kids are finding out the cool things dragons can do. Not only will they learn more about their dragons, they'll also discover new ones and battle against enemies as they explore worlds they never dreamed existed. In addition, the talented cast from the feature film—Jay Baruchel (Hiccup), America Ferrera (Astrid), Christopher Mitz-Plasse (Fishlegs) and T.J. Miller (Tuffnut)—will lend their voices to the series, which is produced by DreamWorks Animation and premieres this fall.
- New LEGO Project: Following the instant ratings success of the CG-animated Ninjago, LEGO and Cartoon Network plan to expand their partnership with an all-new series from LEGO for 2013.
- Ben 10: Omniverse: In the brand-new animated series, Ben 10: Omniverse, Ben will have a new character design that pays homage to his past, and he'll have a whole new batch of aliens to battle. Beating the bad guys is just part of the superhero gig. With a little help from his new, by-the-book rookie partner, Ben explores the quirkier side of things in the alien underground and discovers enemies from his past looking for a re-match, all while a mysterious hunter is hot on his trail! With 10 new aliens at his disposal and a brand new lease on life, Ben 10 is back and more fun than ever! Matt Youngberg is supervising producer for the series, which will premiere on Cartoon Network this fall.
Ben 10 is Cartoon Network's most successful original global franchise. Since the premiere of the original Ben 10 series, created by Man of Action Studios, in 2006, the franchise has spawned four animated series, one animated movie, two live-action movies, a CG movie, a feature film currently in development, a widely-popular consumer products line and has captured the imaginations of viewers on a worldwide scale.
- Beware the Batman: A cool, new take on the classic Dark Knight franchise, Beware the Batman incorporates Batman's core characters with a rogues gallery of new villains not previously seen in animated form. Along with backup from ex-secret agent Alfred and lethal swordstress Katana, the Dark Knight faces the twisted machinations of Gotham City's criminal underworld led by the likes of Anarky, Professor Pyg, Mister Toad and Magpie. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, this action-packed detective thriller deftly redefines what we have come to know as a "Batman show." Featuring cutting-edge CGI visuals to match the intricate twists and turns of the narrative, Batman steps out of the shadows and into the spotlight for an entirely new generation of fans. With WBA's Sam Register executive producing, and Batman Beyond's Glen Murakami and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated's Mitch Watson producing, Beware the Batman, based on characters from DC Comics, is coming soon to Cartoon Network!
- Total Drama: Revenge of the Island: It's back to the island where Total Drama began with an all-new cast! Since the series' host Chris took the show worldwide, Camp Wawanakwa has been abandoned and turned into a toxic nuclear waste dump—the perfect place for new and painful, cringe-inducing challenges! Fighting for the million dollar prize are thirteen wild new players. Total Drama: Revenge of the Island is produced by Fresh TV and will premiere on Cartoon Network this summer.
- Cartoon Network Hall of Game Awards: Hall of Game is Cartoon Network's signature venture into the broadcast awards arena, created and produced in association with IMG Media, the production arm of global sports, entertainment and media company, IMG. This high-energy, multi-platform experience lets viewers decide who's got game, by honoring their favorite sports stars and sports moments of the year. From the red carpet, to the never-before-seen stunts and surprises on stage, this unconventional celebration in 2013 will be led by a celebrity host and feature icons from television, film, music and sports, as kids experience an evening of humor and fun at the most raucous and biggest sports awards show ever presented on television.
- Adventure Time
- Regular Show
- The Amazing World of Gumball
- The Looney Tunes Show
- Ninjago
- Level Up
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- Young Justice
- Johnny Test
- Pokémon
- Green Lantern: The Animated Series
- Almost Naked Animals
- Casper's Scare School
- Hero 108
- Scaredy Squirrel
- Sidekick
Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in 99 million U.S. homes and 168 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for youth and families.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.


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Pieon August 8, 2012 at 6:00 am
And here's a comic despite Wes sleeping blissfully while Tony fought off some tiny goblins.
And here's a comic despite Wes sleeping blissfully while Tony fought off some tiny goblins.
It is interesting how your own family's ancient apple pie recipe always tastes better than someone else's family recipe. Why is that? Must have something to do with the number of cups of sugar per square inch of pie…
Wow, that's racist
oops, botched the first attempt to embed this. a little follow-up to the hidden comic.
wow that is subtle, i had to click back and forth to see what you did:
Strangely, she never made cornbread.
Whenever my mom uses the term "Americans," she's always referring exclusively to white people. She never uses the terms "white" or "Caucasian." It's so odd to hear it every time.
We're southeast Asian btw.
"Step 1: Don't combine anything. Ever."
Awesome hidden comic, guys!
Isn't the Granny Smith apples a reference to mlp?


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Award-winning garden writer Debbie Arrington chats with radio host Fred Hoffman during Harvest Day earlier this summer. She and blog partner Kathy Morrison will join Hoffman on the radio Sunday morning. (Photo: Kathy Morrison)
Kathy Morrison is usually
behind the camera for the blog.
Comments0 comments have been posted.
An article about gardening.
Taste Summer! E-cookbook
Sacramento Digs Gardening to your inbox.
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Dig In: Garden Checklist
For week of Sept. 24:
This week our weather will be just right for fall gardening. What are you waiting for?
* Now is the time to plant for fall. The warm soil will get these veggies off to a fast start.
* Keep harvesting tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons and eggplant. Tomatoes may ripen faster off the vine and sitting on the kitchen counter.
* Compost annuals and vegetable crops that have finished producing.
* Cultivate and add compost to the soil to replenish its nutrients for fall and winter vegetables and flowers.
* Fertilize deciduous fruit trees.
* Plant onions, lettuce, peas, radishes, turnips, beets, carrots, bok choy, spinach and potatoes directly into the vegetable beds.
* Transplant cabbage, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower as well as lettuce seedlings.
* Sow seeds of California poppies, clarkia and African daisies.
* Transplant cool-weather annuals such as pansies, violas, fairy primroses, calendulas, stocks and snapdragons.
* Divide and replant bulbs, rhizomes and perennials. That includes bearded iris; if they haven't bloomed in three years, it's time to dig them up and divide their rhizomes.
* Dig up and divide daylilies as they complete their bloom cycle.
* Divide and transplant peonies that have become overcrowded. Replant with "eyes" about an inch below the soil surface.
* Late September is ideal for sowing a new lawn or re-seeding bare spots.
Taste Spring! E-cookbook


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#4 - Julie J
#5 - bastelarena
Top 3:
#1 - Allisa
#3 - Joyce
#6 - Mina
This week our challenge is being sponsored by Bugaboo Stamps! They are giving away 7 free images to one lucky participant for playing along!!!
Some challenge details: We will award a $10 Gift Credit to one lucky winner each month. This winner will be selected from those entries through the course of the month who use one of our Inky Images. Each and every week one lucky challenge participant will receive a free digi no matter what image they use! If that wasn't enough we will also be selecting a Top 3! Just be sure to follow the current theme, add your creation below, and link back to this post to be entered to win some fun prizes!


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Astronomy Picture of the Day
APOD: 2001 July 31 - Oceans Under Jupiters Callisto
Explanation: Why does Jupiter's moon Callisto alter the magnetic field of Jupiter in its vicinity? Callisto itself does not have a strong magnetic field. One possible answer is that Callisto harbors sub-surface oceans of electrically conducting salt-water. This hypothesis was bolstered recently by a new analysis of how Callisto creates and dissipates heat. Callisto is thought to create heat by the radioactive decay of internal rock -- a process that keeps the Earth's mantle molten. Callisto may not be able to dissipate this heat very efficiently, however, as it has thick layers of ice and rock on its surface. Perhaps this heat is enough to keep sub-surface water from freezing into ice. With this hypothesis, Callisto joins two other of Jupiter's moons, Europa and Ganymede, in candidates for sub-surface oceans. Callisto's oceans, however, might prove too hostile to support Earth-like life.
APOD: 2001 January 16 - Europa Rotating
Explanation: Evidence has been mounting that beneath the vast planes of ice that cover Europa lies water -- liquid oceans that might be home to alien life. The smallest of Jupiter's Galilean Moons (which include Io, Ganymede, and Callisto), Europa's deep interior is composed of mostly of silicate rock. Upon close inspection, many surface cracks stop abruptly only to continue on somewhere else -- indicating surface plates that might be sliding. The above time-lapse sequence is a composite of images taken during the Voyager spacecraft flyby of the moon twenty years ago. Not all regions are resolved in high detail. The movie shows Europa during a complete rotation, which corresponds to a complete revolution around Jupiter since Europa always keeps the same face toward the giant planet. The cause of many of the surface colors on Europa also remains a topic of research.
APOD: 1999 March 4 - Ganymede Mosaic
Explanation: Ganymede, one of the four Galilean moons of Jupiter, is the largest moon in the Solar System. With a diameter of 5,260 kilometers it is even larger than planets Mercury and Pluto and just over three quarters the size of Mars. Ganymede is locked in synchronous rotation with Jupiter. This detailed mosaic of images from the Galileo spacecraft shows the trailing hemisphere of this planet-sized moon. Speckled with bright young craters, Ganymede's surface shows a mixture of old, dark, cratered terrain and lighter regions laced with grooves and ridges. Ganymede's true colors tend toward subtle browns and grays, but this mosaic's colors have been enhanced to increase surface contrasts. The violet shades extending from the top and bottom are likely due to frost particles in Ganymede's polar regions.
APOD: 2002 December 18 - Io Volcano Culann Patera
Explanation: What causes the unusual colors surrounding Io's volcanoes? Io, the innermost large moon of Jupiter, is known to be the most tumultuous body in the Solar System. Approximately the size of Earth's Moon, Io undergoes nearly continuous volcanic eruptions from an interior heated by gravitational tides from Jupiter and Jupiter's other large moons. The robot spacecraft Galileo currently orbiting Jupiter has been monitoring the active volcano Culann Patera over the past few years. The above images indicate that the volcano has produced not only red and black colored lava flows, but yellow sulfur patches from explosive plumes. Green colors may arise when these processes affect the same terrain. White patches may be caused, in part, by sulfur dioxide snow. As Galileo has fulfilled its mission objectives and is running low on maneuvering fuel, NASA plans to crash the spacecraft into Jupiter during 2003.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
Jerry Bonnell
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: EUD at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.


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The perfect time for feathered hats.
I posted a few autumn themed hats on my side bar for your viewing pleasure. I hope they inspire you!
Several are from the designer Wayne Wichern, he who creates in the Northern California area. I do admire his work; you can see his website here.
He teaches too!
A quote from him:
Q: What (or who) inspires your work? Do you have sources that you go to for "creative recharging"?
WW: Leaves, I have an interesting thing for leaves and other natural things like seedpods, feathers, shells. You can see leaves interpreted in many in my hat trims.
There are only a handful of male milliners; Mr. John Fredrick (aka Mr. John, he who did all the famous hats that you think of when you think of old movie hats), Eric Javits, Frank Olive, Philip Treacy (he does Oprah and the Queen..)
There are probably a few more I should be naming here. I'll add the names as they come to me, and if you know a name of male milliner, be sure to add a comment and let me know.
Last night I pulled out my brown "autumn" hats, and gave them a try on. A new season, new fashion styles and a new hair cut puts a new spin on old hats. Hats that I was indifferent to last autumn now have captured my imagination.
I'll be posting a few of my autumn hats over the next weeks. Isn't it fun to find an old item in your closet that suddenly just is the perfect thing?
Happy Sunday everyone!
(Above: Gena Conti design. Sigh. She is just soooo wonderful!)


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Crowned Hair Co
Trixi — Lace Front Wig
Crowned Hair Co Lace Front Wigs goes around your entire perimeter of your head protecting your natural hair from the heat damage caused by flat irons and curling irons.
They're convenient for On-The-Go hairstyles and easy to install for yourself and/or your stylist. This wig can be worn glueless or pasted down.
The full lace wig will arrive un-customized. (The hair was set and styled in the photos!) The wig is hand crafted and can be parted throughout the entire wig for the ultimate natural looking styles. Our wigs are constructed so seamlessly nobody would even know you're wearing a wig!
Density: 150%
Lace: Medium Shade Transparent Lace Color. Blends With All Skin Complexions
Style: Unlimited Styling With The Full Lace Wig!
Color: Fire Red
Maintenance: Medium-High due to the hair being processed by the bleach & Dye. This hair will require hydration daily like Argan Oil or Argan Oil Spray, and Washed weekly by a color protection shampoo like TRESemme' Color Revitalize Shampoo & Conditioner)
Inside Hair Clip included: Yes
Adjustable Sizing Band: Yes
Cap Size: Medium Cap (Fit most head sizes) 21-22.5 Inches around
Part: Freepart
Baby Hairs: Included in the front of the lace and the back
Processing Time: 2-3 Business Days
Tracking numbers are automatically emailed once hair has been shipped
Contact Us At firstname.lastname@example.com During Business Hrs M-F 10am-6pm (Central Time), Saturday-CLOSED , Sunday - CLOSED


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Online Instruction upload facility for DP
Demat Services
Broking Services
Clearing Member Services
Derivative Services
Business Associate
Gold Rush
Our Depository Participant services cater to all your individual investment needs.
Our customer-centric account schemes have been designed keeping in mind the investment psyche of our clients.
StockHolding Services Limited is the Broking arm of StockHolding.
StockHolding in the capacity of Sub-broker has been providing Share Broking Services in association with SSL, the member Broker on BSE and NSE.
Broker Account can be opened from any of the StockHolding Branches. ONLINE trading facility is also available.
StockHolding's long-standing association with Clearing Members has enabled it to develop services based on an understanding of their working and their requirement for timely and accurate information.
We currently offer Depository services to a large number of clearing members of various exchanges connected with NSDL and CSDL .
StockHolding has full fledged NRI cell operating specifically to cater needs pertaining to Depository account opening and maintenance.
The NRI cell co-ordinates with prospective NRI customers, collects and assists in obtaining the relevant documents and ensures the Depository Account is opened hassle free.
StockHolding is a Custodian / Professional Clearing Member of derivative segment at Bombay Stock Exchange and at the Futures & Options Segment of the NSEIL respectively
Bouquet of Products: StockHolding has pioneered quite a few products in the market and has a number of products in its offering.
StockHolding offers products ranging from fixed income investments like FDs, Bonds, Debentures and Capital Gain Bonds to variable income products like IPO's of equities and Mutual Funds
StockHolding is an AMFI Registered Mutual Fund Advisor (ARMFA).
Expanding its bouquet of offerings to include physical products in Gold and Silver was but a logical extension in servicing its expanding client base.
StockHolding Provides the consumer with the finest quality products manufactured to exacting international standards, created with complete transparency and assurance.
It is a Gold accumulation plan for customers who wish to buy and accumulate Gold in a fair and transparent manner.
Govt of India promoted PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority) has introduced the New Pension System (NPS) to all citizens of India with the objective of promoting old age income security.
StockHolding is India's first and largest custodian of securities, promoted by leading Indian Institutions of India
It has wealth of human resources, technology and infrastructure, befitting its position as pioneer and market leader.
Our Services
Our Clients
Why StockHolding
Client Log On
Reach Us
StockHolding has been authorised by Ministry of Finance, Government of India to act as a Central Record-Keeping Agency (CRA) to design and implement an electronic method of stamp duty collection.
e-Stamping is web-based solution for payment and collection of non-judicial stamp duty.
eCourtFee Service
eRegistration Service
SHCIL Services Limited (SSL) is the broking arm of StockHolding.
To know more about services ,please visit -
StockHolding Document Management Services Limited is currently servicing clients in document management and digitisation of records using document management platform.
StockHolding Securities IFSC Limited has its registered office at IFSC, Gift City, Gandhinagar and is a wholly owned subsidiary of StockHolding. SSIL offers a comprehensive bouquet of service solutions to all eligible investors at IFSC, Gift City.
To know more on the customised service solutions offered by SSIL write to us at firstname.lastname@example.com
StockHolding Learning & Development Centre (SLDC) is housed on the five-acre campus of "SHCIL House" at Mahape. The centre, which has state–of-art facilities has been developed to offer focussed residential / non-residential training programmes.
About SLDC
SHCIL Learning & Development Centre (SLDC) is housed on the five-acre campus of "SHCIL House" at Mahape. The centre, which has state–of-art facilities has been developed to offer focussed residential / non-residential training programmes.
Destroy the PIN mailer after you memorize the PIN for your Demat A/C
Your password should be complex and difficult for others to guess. Use letters,
numbers and special character such as [ !, @, #, $ ,% ,^, &,*,(,) ] in your password.
Don't use password that are obvious, like your name/nickname, name of your family
members, your address, phone no. or any other such information.
Do not use the same password as the one which you use to login to your computer
or access to your e-mail.
Change your Online Login password frequently( atleast once a month)
Never share your password with other.
A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user's computer tied to information about
the user. Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information
while on our site. No explicit cookies are used by us at any stage. No personally
identifiable information is collected from your computer via cookies in any form.
Log Files
Like most standard Web site servers we use log files. This includes internet protocol
(IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages,
platform type, date/time stamp, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer
the site, track user's movement in the aggregate, and gather broad demographic information
for aggregate use. IP addresses, etc. are not linked to personally identifiable
128 bit Secure Socket Layer
When our registration form asks users to enter sensitive information (such as bank
account number and/or password), that information is encrypted and is protected
with encryption software using 128 bit SSL while the information travels from the
users computer to our servers. While on a secure page, such as our registration
form, login-page and post login area the lock icon on the bottom of Web browsers
such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer becomes locked, as opposed
to un-locked, or open, when users are in the non-SSL area. SHCIL uses High Grade
Encryption( RC4 128 bits ) to ensure that your data is fully encrypted as it is
transmitted to you. Encryption makes it very difficult for unauthorised people to
view your information while travelling between computers and hence makes the page
almost impossible to be read as it travels across the network to you. Validity of
the server certificate can be ascertained by clicking the 'Verisign' logo that appears
on the Login page.
Offline Security
While we use SSL encryption to protect sensitive information online, we also do
everything in our power to protect user-information off-line. All of our users'
information, not just the sensitive information mentioned above, is restricted in
our offices. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job are
granted access to personally identifiable information. The servers that store personally
identifiable information are in a secure environment. Sensiive information like
passwords are stored in encrypted form.
Verisign Digital certificate
Digital certificates are issued by certain authorities to authenticate a Web site
or elements of Web sites. The certificate the originator of the site, or element,
and verifies that it has not been tampered with, When your Web browser is presented
with a certificate, It will check to see if a legitimate certification authority
issued the certificate. if there is a match, your session will continue. Otherwise,
your browser will issue a warning and your safest action is to cancel your activity
Your Role in enhancing security of your Login section
Always ensure your PC is updated with latest anti-virus and operating system patches
Install personal firewall and anti-spy ware to protect your PC from internet attackees.
Always change your online Login passwords periodically say every month


text:
Product currently unavailable
Product information
Alpinestars SP-8 Gloves. Constructed from highly abrasion resistant, full grain leather and featuring a rugged polymer knuckle protection, the SP-8 offers high levels of protection, movement and comfort. With a pre-shaped finger construction and a Velcro® cuff closure this glove affords a secure and highly personalized performance riding fit.
- Premium, full-grain leather construction is durable and offers excellent abrasion resistance.
- Alpinestars' patented third and fourth finger bridge prevents seam failure and finger separation in the event of a slide.
- Ergonomically positioned synthetic patterned suede palm reinforcement for grip and comfort.
- Excellent repeated impact performance offered by an advanced over-molded polymer knuckle protector.
- EVA foam padding reinforcements on thumb, wrist, back of hand, finger and palm for comfort and abrasion performance.
- Perforated leather cuff, plus perforated finger sidewalls for superb breathability. Velcro® cuff closure, plus elasticized wrist design for secure, personalized fit.
- Pre-shaped, anatomical finger design and internal seams for comfort and exceptional feel.
- Printed and embroidered logos on wrist and fingers, plus heat stamped logo on knuckle.
- CE EPI Level 1
Data sheet
|Riding Style
|Sport / Racing Touring
|CE EPI Level 1
|All year
|8051194298126 8051194298133 8051194298140 8051194298157 8051194298164 8051194298171


text:
I Radio Bandung Streaming Online
This is one of the famous station which is broadcasting on frequency 105.1 live from Bandung.I Radio is basically a group of network station and its transmission can also be listen in Jakarta.
Genres is Top 40-Pop and Adult Contemporary which is broadcasting in Indonesian Language, Headquarter is in Bandung, Indonesia.It is a mix of music which are famous in Indonesian community.
Phone: (021) 398 321 62


text:
Argonet, who officially provided support on behalf of Ant Limited, ceased offering support for the Ant Suite on 30th November 2000. Rather than see the suite disappear into the mists of time (as I still believe it is the best/most flexible internet solution for RISC OS computers), I decided to take over support in a personal capacity.
Since I made that decision, RISCOS Limited have managed to take over sales and distribution of the suite from Ant Ltd themselves, in addition to obtaining the original source code.
RISCOS Ltd have renamed the suite the "RISC OS Internet Suite" and now bundle it free with RISC OS, under their RISC OS Select Scheme. Hopefully, having the majority of the source code will also allow future development, so it's not dead after all.
If you're looking for information/support for Argonet's old !Voyager suite, it has its own section at www.vigay.com/voyager/
What's New!
2nd Apr 2008 - Updated internet banking page as Egg no longer appears to work with O2.
Ant Suite Product Upgrades
Upgrades to InetSuite are available to existing customers only.
ANT Internet Suite FAQ
A set of Frequently Asked Questions and answers about using the ANT Internet Suite release II is available from the Internet Suite FAQ.
Technical Documentation
Ant's original technical application notes are now available for the Internet Suite, including details of the URL broadcast system. These are primarily of interest to software developers.
If you're looking for Voyager information, please visit my Voyager pages.
Useful links to information on other sites.
• Browsers with PNG Support - A useful comparison of which browsers support PNG graphics.
• RFCs - Links to some useful internet RFCs ('Request For Comment' documents).
Popular Documents
The following is a short list of links to some of my more popular documents.
· Acorn Internet: Specifications - Acorn's original specification documents.
· Broadband - Using RISC OS computers on broadband connections.
· Ant Broadband - Configuring InetSuite for Broadband.
· Providers - How to write and edit InetSuite provider files.
· Browsers - A comparison of web browsers.
· Fresco Type 5 Errors - Causes and possible cures.
· Internet Banking - Which banks work and which don't, using RISC OS browsers.
· Filtering Emails - How to filter messages to different local users.
· Telnetting into POP servers - A guide to Telnetting into a mail server.
· Marcel Mailboxes - A guide to repairing corrupted mailboxes.
· Marcel Message Editing - How to customise Marcel's message editing.
· Purging News articles - How to make InetSuite more efficient.
· Fresco Spec - Details on Fresco server communications and good web design.
· Cookies - What are they, and are they dangerous?
Due to the volume of spam vs genuine messages to the Ant mailing lists, I took the decision to closedown the lists and replace them with an online discussion forum. There is a dedicated discussion area specially for the Ant Suite, its installation and use. The forum is located at forum.vigay.com so please sign up now, to keep up to date with all things Ant related.
A complete archive of InetChat mailing list messages, going back to 1996 is available from Liam Gretton's FTP server at ftp://epic3.xra.le.ac.uk/pub/ljg/ANT/. Very many thanks to Liam for keeping this archive and allowing me to link to it.
Last edit: 10th Apr 2016 at 1:56pm
Viewed 38596 times since 29th Nov 2005,


text:
Passport Offices in Fayette County
Fayette County applicants looking to find a passport offices in Texas would need to visit any of the 1 locations official US passport acceptance facilities located in Fayette County. Texas state has a total of 175 passport acceptance offices that you would be able to obtain a passport.
The passport agent in Fayette County would be able give you the passport form and witness your signature to obtain a passport. Passport acceptance agents at the Fayette Offices require an appointment so you will have to call the postal office for an appointment.
Passport Agencies Near to Fayette County
Dallas Passport Agency
1100 Commerce St, Suite 1120 TX 75242
Near State: TX
Near City: Dallas
El Paso Passport Agency
303 N. Oregon St. TX 79901
Near State: TX
Near City: El Paso
Houston Passport Agency
1919 Smith Street, Suite 1400 TX 77002
Near State: TX
Near City: Houston
List of Acceptance Agents: Submit a new Agent in Fayette County
Fayette County District Clerk
151 N Washington St
La Grange, TX 78945
Handicapped Accessible: Yes
Passport Photo: Yes, the Fayette County District Clerk provide passport photo


text:
Following an order by a federal district court judge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released 15,000 pages of documents in mid-February related to the agency's Secure Communities program. The documents were ordered released as part of an ongoing lawsuit filed by a coalition of immigrant advocacy groups that sought to compel ICE to release more information about Secure Communities under the Freedom of Information Act.
However, the documents (along with several recent ICE memos) seem to have only added to the confusion surrounding the nature of Secure Communities. Questions remain as to whether states and localities may choose to opt out of participation in the program, as well as to whether the program effectively targets foreign-born individuals who have committed serious crimes.
Secure Communities is a rapidly expanding ICE initiative that aims to identify deportable "criminal aliens" when they are arrested and booked at a jail or prison by state or local law enforcement agencies. If the arrested individual is determined to be a removable noncitizen, then ICE can decide whether or not to issue a detainer and take custody of the person to initiate removal proceedings.
The cornerstone of Secure Communities is a series of technological advances that enable law enforcement agents to access both an arrestee's criminal background and immigration history at the time of booking.
By screening the suspect's fingerprints, authorities can now access two separate and powerful databases that had not been previously interoperable — the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), which contains 66 million criminal records, and the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT), which holds over 90 million immigration records.
In order for a jurisdiction to participate in Secure Communities, ICE must first sign an agreement with the locality's state identification bureau (SIB). Once the agreement is signed, ICE has the authority to deploy Secure Communities technology to any state or local law enforcement agency within the state's jurisdiction. To date, ICE has signed agreements with 39 SIBs nationwide, as well as one in Puerto Rico.
Criticisms, Questions, and Confusion
The primary goal of Secure Communities is to remove noncitizens with criminal convictions. To that end, ICE has established a hierarchy of criminal offenses and criminal offenders for immigration enforcement purposes.
Under its current priority system, ICE considers noncitizens who have been convicted of two or more felony offenses (or at least one 'aggravated felony' offense) to be Level 1 criminal aliens. Noncitizens who have been convicted of one felony or three or more misdemeanors are deemed Level 2 criminal aliens, while noncitizens who have been convicted of any misdemeanor offense are deemed Level 3 criminal aliens.
Recent statistics released by ICE, however, raise doubts about the program's focus on individuals who have been convicted of serious crimes. According to a March 2011 ICE report, in FY 2010 noncitizens with no criminal conviction at all and noncitizens who were deemed Level 3 criminal offenders made up 56 percent of the total number of individuals placed in removal proceedings by ICE through Secure Communities, and 60 percent of those ultimately removed.
The March report also indicates that the impact of the program is particularly concentrated in a handful of counties. Between October 27, 2008 and February 28, 2011, for example, bookings in Maricopa County, AZ and Los Angeles County, CA together made up 31 percent of the total number of noncitizens administratively booked through Secure Communities nationwide, and 27 percent of the total number ultimately removed.
In addition to concerns about which types of criminals are targeted most, immigrant and civil-rights advocates have protested that Secure Communities can lead to racial profiling. They argue that, while all who are arrested in a participating jurisdiction get fingerprinted by the police at the time of booking and are subsequently screened by ICE, the arrests themselves can be racially motivated. They have also claimed that the program undermines trust between the police and immigrant communities, with consequences for public safety.
Although officials from many law enforcement agencies praise Secure Communities as a cost-effective and efficient way of identifying deportable noncitizens, the concerns mentioned above have resulted in pressure on some individual jurisdictions not to participate in the program, even if their state identification bureaus have signed agreements with ICE.
Initially, ICE officials billed Secure Communities as a voluntary program, and various ICE statements seemed to indicate that individual localities within a state could opt out of participating, regardless of whether or not that state's SIB had signed an agreement to participate. The newly released documents on the program suggest that as late as May 2010, some ICE officials still supported this view. A recently released August 2010 ICE email also states that it is "technically possible" for a jurisdiction's fingerprints to be screened only against the IAFIS database, and not against IDENT.
As more and more individual jurisdictions sought to opt out of Secure Communities, however, confusion grew as to how a locality could actually do so and whether or not ICE would really allow it.
In May 2010, the San Francisco County Board of Supervisors overwhelmingly passed a nonbinding resolution urging its police department not to participate in the program. Subsequently, local officials in Santa Clara, CA, Arlington, VA, and Washington, DC, and state officials in Minnesota, Washington, Colorado, and Massachusetts also began debating the possibility of declining to participate in Secure Communities. In July 2010, Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), the chairwoman of the House immigration subcommittee, sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder, requesting information on how local jurisdictions could opt out of the program.
By the fall of 2010, ICE abandoned its initial stance on the voluntariness of Secure Communities and confirmed that individual jurisdictions could not opt out of participating in the program once their state had signed the official agreement. Statements from ICE now seem to suggest that the only latitude remaining with local jurisdictions is the choice not to receive information from their state SIB about the immigration status of arrested individuals — a decision that does not affect ICE's ability to place detainers on arrestees.
Recent media stories have added to the confusion surrounding the ability of localities to opt out of the program. Reports have indicated that officials in Montgomery County, MD and Cook County, IL were able to avoid participating in Secure Communities by communicating with ICE directly regarding arrested "violent offenders." It is unclear how such a policy reconciles with ICE's current position on the nonvoluntary nature of the program.
History and Growth of Secure Communities
Although ICE officially proposed Secure Communities in March of 2008, the goal of integrating IDENT and IAFIS to identify and remove noncitizens convicted of criminal offenses is longstanding.
Beginning in the early 1990s, officials from the FBI and the former Immigration and Naturalization Service began discussing plans to make the IDENT and IAFIS databases "interoperable." Such plans were hindered, however, because the IAFIS database relied on a system of ten-fingerprint capture, while IDENT used a two-print system.
Then in 1998, in response to congressional concern over the lack of integration between the two systems, the Department of Justice directed its Justice Management Division to report on the feasibility of converting IDENT to a ten-print system.
The pressure to make the two systems interoperable increased following the passage of the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002, both of which directed law enforcement agencies to create interoperable database systems. The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the "9/11 Commission") also made a similar recommendation in 2004.
By fiscal year (FY) 2008, the technology needed to make the two databases interoperable had been developed. That same year, Congress allocated $200 million to ICE in order "to improve and modernize efforts" to identify and remove foreign nationals who had been "convicted of a crime, sentenced to imprisonment, and who may be deportable." In response, ICE created Secure Communities.
Congress allocated an additional $150 million for Secure Communities in FY 2009, and another $200 million for the program in FY 2010. For FY 2011, DHS has requested $184 million for the program.
Since its inception, participation in the Secure Communities program has expanded dramatically from just seven jurisdictions in October 2008 to about 1,080 jurisdictions in 39 states as of the date of this publication. Moreover, between FY 2009 and FY 2010 the total number of fingerprints submitted through Secure Communities more than quadrupled from 828,119 to 3,376,753, according to ICE statistics. The goal according to ICE officials is to have Secure Communities operating nationwide by 2013.
The Obama administration has supported the continued expansion of Secure Communities and — despite criticisms to the contrary — senior administration officials have emphasized that the program does not allow for racial profiling because, unlike some other federal/local joint immigration initiatives, the program screens everyone booked in a particular jurisdiction and not just those who are foreign born. In October 2010, Secretary Napolitano praised the program, emphasizing that Secure Communities had played a "major part" in her agency's record-high levels of deportations of criminal aliens.
Despite hesitancy on the part of some jurisdictions, the vast majority of state and local law enforcement agencies have also embraced the program. Participating states credit Secure Communities with allowing their law enforcement agencies access to the latest and most advanced federal law-enforcement databases, thereby increasing community safety. To date, Washington is the only state where officials have publicly announced that they do not intend to sign an agreement of participation with ICE.
The 2013 Timeline
Regardless of whether some jurisdictions may choose now to not participate in Secure Communities, any reprieve from participating in the program will likely be short-lived.
By 2013, it is expected that the only federal criminal-screening system that jurisdictions will be able to use will automatically screen both the IDENT and IAFIS databases.
A recently disclosed September 2010 email from ICE's Office of the Legal Advisor states that, beginning in 2013, the FBI and ICE will share all IDENT/IAFIS information with one another — even that which is collected from localities that do not participate in Secure Communities. The email goes on to state that, although ICE and the FBI have the technological capability now to share IDENT/IAFIS information for arrestees in all jurisdictions, ICE has chosen "for policy reasons" to wait until 2013 before sharing biometric information "without state/local participation." It remains unclear what those policy reasons may be.
Policy Beat in Brief
New J-1 Visas for Same-sex Partners of Diplomats. The Department of State (DOS) has announced a new program that allows U.S. diplomats to apply for J-1 visas for their same-sex partners. J-1 visas are temporary, nonimmigrant visas traditionally granted to foreign-born "exchange visitors," a broad category that includes students, professors, researchers, au pairs, camp counselors, and employees in business and cultural training programs. In February, DOS designated its own human resources department as an exchange visitor "sponsor," a move that facilitated adding same-sex partners of diplomats to the list of eligible J-1 beneficiaries. Under current immigration law, ordinary U.S. citizens and permanent residents are not able to sponsor same-sex partners for immigration benefits.
More Funds for Immigration-related Issues in Proposed DHS Budget. The Obama administration proposed a FY 2012 budget of $56.9 billion for DHS, with more than one-third of the budget allocated to the three DHS agencies related to immigration (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, ICE, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection). A proposed discretionary fund of $10.4 billion for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would fund all-time high levels of Border Patrol agents and CBP officers. The budget also proposes to increase funding for ICE Custody Operations by $157.7 million, and requests $6.5 million in order to add 2,500 enrollees in the ICE Alternatives to Detention program.
Supreme Court Declines to Hear Appeal on Workers' Compensation for Unauthorized Immigrants. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal in a case regarding the eligibility of unauthorized immigrants to receive workers' compensation benefits, leaving in place a Louisiana court decision that ordered an employer to compensate an unauthorized immigrant for lost wages after he was injured on the job. Currently, state courts are split as to whether unauthorized immigrants should be eligible to receive workers' compensation. Courts in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Minnesota have held that unauthorized immigrants are eligible for such benefits. Courts in Virginia, Michigan, and Nevada on the other hand have decided against eligibility for the benefits.
Pushback against SB 1070-type Bills. Despite widespread speculation that the passage of Arizona law SB 1070 would prompt other states to follow suit, a number of signs point to some pushback against that trend. In Nebraska, Arkansas, and Colorado, legislative efforts to enact bills modeled after SB 1070 appear stalled, largely as a result of concerns among lawmakers that the passage of such measures would spur costly legal battles. The controversial Arizona law requires state and local law enforcement officers to ask about the immigration status of anyone lawfully stopped by the police if an officer has "reasonable suspicion" that the individual is an unauthorized immigrant. After the federal government brought a lawsuit challenging the Arizona statute last summer, a judge halted implementation of several of SB 1070's key provisions.
USCIS Announces E-Verify "Self-Check" Program. Beginning March 18, 2011, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will add a new self-check feature to the E-Verify system, an online program that enables employers to check whether new employees are authorized to work in the United States. The new feature will allow individuals to screen themselves through E-Verify in order to determine whether the government database confirms them as work-authorized. According to USCIS, the feature is intended to help workers identify and resolve database inaccuracies that might otherwise prevent the E-Verify system from confirming their work eligibility. As of January 2011, approximately 243,709 U.S. employers were enrolled in the E-Verify program.
ICE to Launch 1,000 Employer Audits. ICE is launching a new round of worksite investigations targeting businesses that are suspected of hiring unauthorized workers. One thousand companies across the country have been notified of upcoming I-9 audits, which are intended to focus more heavily on large businesses. Since 2009, the Obama administration has increased the use of audits of employers suspected of hiring unauthorized immigrants, and the number of such investigations doubled between 2008 and 2010. In FY 2010, ICE performed 2,746 worksite investigations and fined employers nearly $7 million.
Celine Dion's Bodyguard Deemed Not Extraordinary. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a previous decision by USCIS to deny an EB-1 "alien of extraordinary ability" visa to Nikolaos Skokos, the longtime bodyguard of famous Canadian singer Celine Dion. The Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes EB-1 visas for self-petitioning foreign nationals who demonstrate that they have "extraordinary ability" in education, business, the sciences, the arts, or athletics. EB-1 visa recipients are also immediately eligible for lawful permanent residence in the United States. In his initial EB-1 petition, Mr. Skokos failed to provide sufficient evidence of being one of a handful of individuals at the very top of his field.
Proposed New H-1B Registration Rule. USCIS has proposed a new rule that would create a preregistration system for U.S. employers seeking to petition for foreign-born employees through the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program. The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to petition for up to 65,000 highly skilled foreign-born workers each fiscal year (with another 20,000 visas allotted to foreign graduates of U.S. graduate schools).
Under the new proposed rule, employers who expect to file H-1B petitions would register such petitions with USCIS prior to the first day that USCIS formally accepts H-1B petitions for the upcoming fiscal year (in most years, April 1). If USCIS anticipates that it will receive more petitions by the first filing day than the general annual cap of 65,000, the agency will randomly select 65,000 submitted registrations and notify the selected employers to submit their petitions. The new rule is aimed at reducing employer costs.
State and Local Policy Beat in Brief
Two New Immigration Bills Advance in Utah. Two new immigration bills have advanced through the Utah State Legislature and are currently awaiting signature by Republican Governor Gary Herbert. The first bill (HB 497) is modeled after Arizona's controversial SB 1070, and includes provisions that would require law enforcement officers to verify the immigration status of anyone arrested and booked for a felony offense or certain misdemeanor offenses. The bill also prohibits localities within Utah from restricting the ability of local officials to communicate with ICE.
The second measure (HB 116) would create a Utah-specific guest worker program, allowing unauthorized immigrants in Utah to apply for two-year work permits if they would pay a fine and pass a background check. It is unclear whether the passage of such a measure would have any practical impact, however, given that only federal law allows for grants of work permits and temporary worker status.
Maryland Senate Approves In-state Tuition Bill. By a vote of 27 to 20, the Maryland State Senate has approved a bill that would allow certain unauthorized immigrants to pay in-state tuition at the state's public colleges and universities. To qualify for in-state tuition under the measure, students would have to demonstrate that they attended three years of high school in Maryland and that their parents filed state income tax returns. Additionally, in order to be eligible for in-state tuition at a four-year college or university, students would have to first graduate from a two-year community college in Maryland. The bill will now move to the Maryland House of Delegates. Democratic Governor Martin O'Malley has already indicated that he will sign the bill if it passes in the House.
Georgia House Passes Strict Immigration Enforcement Bill. The Georgia House of Representatives passed legislation (HB 87) that would authorize state and local police to verify the immigration status of certain criminal suspects. The bill would also punish individuals who knowingly transport or harbor unauthorized immigrants as well as those who use fake identification to acquire a job, and it would require all employers to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm that new employees are authorized to work in the United States. Mexican consular officials have heavily criticized the bill and expressed concern that it will lead to racial profiling by the police.
Nebraska Retains In-state Tuition for Unauthorized Immigrants. A bill aimed at preventing unauthorized immigrants from receiving in-state tuition was voted down by the education committee of Nebraska's State Legislature. The new legislation would have repealed a state law passed in 2005 that allows certain unauthorized immigrants to apply for in-state tuition at public colleges and universities if they attended high school in Nebraska. Supporters of the current law argued that the bill assists young people who were brought to the United States as children, and who had no say in their parents' decision to enter the country illegally. Opponents argued that taxpayer funds should not be used to subsidize the tuition costs of unauthorized immigrants.
No Change in Driver License Policy for Unauthorized Immigrants in New Mexico. The New Mexico State Senate voted down a bill that would have prohibited unauthorized immigrants from receiving driver licenses by amending a 2003 law that states that New Mexico driver license applicants are not required to show proof of legal immigration status. The bill passed in New Mexico's House of Representatives last week, and also had the strong backing of Republican Governor Susana Martinez. Proponents argued that amending the law was necessary to prevent potential terrorists from obtaining driver licenses in New Mexico; critics argued that the bill would increase the number of unlicensed drivers. The Washington State Senate recently rejected a similar bill.


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Risk Management Agency rule provides flexibility in cover crop termination
Farmers have been given more time to terminate their cover crops after the excessively wet spring of last year prevented many of them from doing that in time to meet a crop insurance deadline.
In order for grain farmers to insure their main crop, they previously had to terminate cover crops by May 15 and before the crop headed or budded. In December, the USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) changed those rules so that producers now must terminate cover crops by June 5, regardless of the growth stage.
"Last year, with a very wet spring, the May 15 deadline was really problematic," said Eileen Kladivko, Purdue University professor of agronomy. "There was a lot of effort on the parts of land-grant universities, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and partners like the National Wildlife Federation to get that changed because of the conservation benefits of cover crops. The new rule gives us an extra three weeks, and it doesn't matter the stage of the cover crop.
"This is a great improvement because now farmers can manage cover crops as is best agronomically."
According to RMA, the changes affect corn, popcorn, sweet corn, hybrid seed corn, pumpkins, soybeans, grain sorghum and processing beans. The agency defines cover crops as crops planted within 12 months of planting an insurable crop. The cover crop must be recognized as a sound agronomic conservation practice for the area.
The change recognizes the importance of crop insurance in protecting a producer's livelihood and conservation in protecting the soil, said Brian Frieden, director of the Springfield Regional Office of RMA.
Even with the changes and increased flexibility, Kladivko said farmers need to visit with crop insurance agents about the way cover crops may affect a specific crop insurance policy.
Producers also can get more information about cover crops http://www.rma.usda.gov/ by clicking the "Information Browser" link. The site provides farmers with access to specific information by allowing them to enter crops and counties where farms are located and to look at special provisions.
– Purdue University Extension & Ohio State University Extension


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Eight months after the horrific accident on Coastal Highway, the Baby Ava case came to a quiet close on Wednesday when the man responsible accepted fault, plead guilty and immediately went to jail.
As is the case with many court cases of this magnitude, the judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation that will hopefully result in Andre Kaczynski going away for at least 10 years if not more. As far as the legal avenues were concerned, Worcester County State's Attorney Beau Oglesby did what needed to be done. There was no plea deal and no bargaining with this disturbed individual who was so high on PCP that he does not even recall driving 100 mph through Ocean City and running directly into the vehicle Ava and her mother were in. He plead guilty and that was that, and the hope here is he will get the maximum sentence allowable under the law.
This week's end to the court case will hopefully allow the family to continue the emotional healing process and for Ava to keep on her long road to recovery. While the family and the thousands of Ava supporters are surely pleased with the outcome and the likelihood Kaczynski will be serving many years in prison, the only true justice will be for this little girl to overcome her many health and development obstacles and to return to the normal life of a toddler.
That's the kind of justice we should all hope and pray occurs over time. That will allow true healing from this devastating situation.
It's been a long road for the proposed Caroline Street Comfort Station and Performing Arts Stage, but with this week's design approval and funding allocated work should begin this fall and will coincide with the second phase of the Boardwalk reconstruction.
At least three different designs were submitted over the last year or so to the Ocean City Mayor and Council before everyone was satisfied with the look. Check it out on page 15A. The finished product seems like a good fit for Ocean City, but I particularly like the multi-use aspect of it.
It's quite a novel idea to feature a permanent performance stage, a need for the area, on a structure housing restrooms, and I think it's going to be a nice addition to the Boardwalk.
While I enjoyed the competition aspects as well, another highlight of last year's Dew Tour for me was observing how the construction crews transformed an empty expanse of sand into an extreme sports village.
It appears this year's plans will be much more grandiose than last year with many more structures for the athletes to compete in, a new high-tech camera that will follow the athletes throughout the quasi village and a highly anticipated jumbo screen that allows those who can't get any of the free or premium seats to watch all the action unfold.
Construction efforts reportedly begin on Monday. If you didn't get a chance to observe these folks at work last year, it's worth a look. They work expeditiously and throughout the day and night to get the job done. By Aug. 16, the beach will be unrecognizable to all of us.
I learned something new last week when it was reported the Ocean City Police Department conducts routine patrols of the beach at night. I wrongly figured police were more reactive than proactive when it came to the beach. I assumed officers responded to a situation when called, rather than patrolling as learned this week.
The situation that brought this to my attention occurred two Fridays ago when police officers patrolling the beach on an ATV learned about a woman all out of sorts. One thing led to another and the troubled lady entered the water and refused to come out. Fearing for her safety, as she was out nearly over her head, the officer shed his gear and brought her to shore, despite her best efforts to return to the water and reluctance to basically adhere to anything the police had to say.


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She's wearing a lacy, pink nightgown and her lips are a cherry red. Her eyes are a chestnut brown, but they stare right through you.
They call her Chaneland for about $350, she can be yours for the night. Her owners will be by in the morning, with her case, to pick her up.
Chanel is a sex doll — one of seven anatomically correct, TPE-silicone based dolls available to rent from House of Dolls, a new business launched by Aberdeen resident Kristen Dickson.
"It's like an escort agency, but without prostitution and human beings involved," said the wife and mother of two of the business venture that's a first for Kamloops.
Dickson's company recently received a business license from city hall to run what is considered an adult novelty item rental agency.
The website for House of Dolls, through which all orders will be made, is expected to be live this week.
In the inventory with Chanel are dolls of various ethnicities and names — Aika, Marriah, Sadie, Catanna, Portiaand Zach, who is the lone male doll of the group. They consist of a metal skeletal structure covered in soft silicone flesh and Dickson purchased them from Toronto-based company Sex Doll Canada.
The hyper-realistic dolls can bend in all the appropriate places and their bodies sport a great amount of detail in areas such as the knees, clavicle, hands and feet.
They also have realistic genitalia, which, as Dickson attested, feels real.
"It feels like a real vagina other than it's not warm," she said of the female dolls with a laugh. "It's quite crazy."
While the silicone on the dolls is cool to the touch, Dickson plans to ensure each dolls is warm upon use by covering them in a heated blanket ahead of time.
She can also change their wigs and clothes to fit a customer's desire.
The cost to rent a doll will be a nightly rate, from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., as opposed to an hourly charge.
Dickson and her husband plan to deliver the dolls to homes and hotels as opposed to running a storefront "brothel" — a model seen with similar businesses that have only recently opened in Toronto and Vancouver.
No doll they rent out will be available two nights in a row as it will undergo a cleaning day the morning after.
While the company is licensed as a home-based business, Dickson has also rented out space downtown that will operate as a cleaning and storage facility for the dolls.
She told KTW Interior Health informed her it has no regulations for cleaning the dolls, but she noted her business will use its own in-depth cleaning procedures that includes antibacterial soap, a black light and a camera that can be inserted into the sexual organs to check for any foreign objects.
"I have all these special irrigators that can go into every crack and crevasse to rinse everything out," she said, noting the cleaning process takes about two hours.
As for what to expect in terms of business, Dickson said she has been keeping an eye on a similar venture in Vancouver — Bella Dolls, which opened at the beginning of November and is constantly booked.
"I'm not afraid of not being busy, I'm afraid of being too busy, but we're in a small town, so who knows what it will be like," said Dickson, noting she believes there will be interest.
She anticipates the clientele will consist of many business professionals who travel frequently.
Dickson got the idea to open a sex doll rental service when her father-in-law heard of one in Toronto.
In choosing to open a similar business, Dickson said she believes the selling of sex will never go away and wants to offer people a safe, clean option that doesn't involve the act being forced upon someone.
She started the process of opening the business about two months ago, noting she was stunned to see how lifelike the dolls were when she first laid eyes on them.
The dolls are not robotic and weigh about 70 pounds. They come in a range of heights. Zach, the male doll, stands about 5-foot-9, whereas Chanel, the Latino doll, is about 5-foot-5.
All seven dolls, along with clothing and cases, cost Dickson about $18,000.
The dolls retail on Sex Doll Canada for about $3,500 each and come with a range of customizable features from the manufacturer, such as large or small breasts and buttocks, optional teeth and shoulders that can shrug.
There's even the option of purchasing ones that have the ability to stand on their own — a feature Dickson didn't bother with for most of the dolls.
"It's like, how long are they going to stand for, really," she said with a laugh.
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TechRadar Verdict
The TomTom GO 940 Live is about as state of the art in satnav as you can get - as long as you don't mind paying the enormous asking price.
- +
Live services work well
- +
Improved motorway junction close-ups
- +
easy to setup and use
- +
new windscreen mount is miles better
- -
speaker quality
- -
route calculation could be quicker
Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Everyone knows that satnavs are cheap as chips these days, with examples available online for a good deal less than £100, something that makes the arrival of the £449.99 TomTom GO 940 Live more than a little surprising.
TomTom, of course, has always attached a price premium to its flagship models - but in these cash-strapped times the GO 940 Live is really going to have to work hard to persuade you to empty your wallet. So where's the beef.
Like the £349.99 TomTom GO 930T we reviewed last year, the 940 Live packs in plenty of attention-grabbing features. These include IQ routes which uses traffic data gleaned from a variety of sources to give you the best possible journey times whatever time of day you travel; and speech recognition which enables you to give the 940 Live verbal instructions rather than having to fanny about using touchscreen buttons.
Crucially, the 940 Live improves over its predecessor in several respects - the chief which is that it enables you download live updates without having to resort to TomTom Home software on your Mac or PC.
Out on the road, it also delivers real-time traffic, weather, fuel price and other updates. You can even use the 940 Live's built-in Google search to find local Points Of Interest - something that finally overcomes the limited options included by TomTom itself.
Unfortunately the TomTom GO 940 Live doesn't give you lifetime use of these services in the £449,99 asking price. Instead you get the first three months free, after which you have to start ponying up £8 per month.
A £50 fuel card goes some way to offsetting that disappointment, but frankly we'd rather see TomTom shave £50 off the 940 Live's price. A £50 fuel card, after all, is probably only enough to fill up your average family car just once - so it's not quite the bargain it seems.
Another caveat is that Live services updates are only available in certain parts of the country (the Republic of Ireland is excluded for example), although this should have improved drastically by March 2009.
Elsewhere the 940 Live continues the TomTom tradition of serving up a 10.9cm colour widescreen touch display; a microSD card expansion slot (along with the 4GB of storage built-in; Europe, US and Canada maps; 3-hour battery; FM radio and MP3 player, plus a built-in GPRS modem that enables you to interact with all those Live services.
Perhaps the biggest and best change though is arguably also one of the simplest - TomTom has finally dispensed with the old-style windscreen mount that had a tendency to pop off without warning it, replacing it with redesigned version with a much better fixing.
The TomTom GO Live stayed glued to the screen throughout our test. Seasoned users will also notice that TomTom has replaced the touchscreen icons of old with new slinkier versions - and overall build quality is reassuringly solid too.
Out on our test route the TomTom GO 940 Live acquitted itself very well. It was reasonably fast at calculating our preferred and alternative routes, served up very useful and vastly improved close-ups of motorway junctions and managed to get us around our 50 mile circuit of motorways, villages, cities and b-roads with the minimum of fuss.
The HD Traffic module - which flashes up incidents on a bar on the right side of the screen - however proved of limited usefulness, partly because its tiny characters and icons can be quite hard to see. You may find that the speech recognition - which works reasonably well - is also of limited use, especially if you have a pack of feral kids in the back.
At least HD Traffic and other options work properly now thanks to the built-in modem - we found that previous models struggled to maintain Bluetooth connections to some mobile phones, rendering Live services almost useless. The TomTom GO 940 Live is a big step up in this regard.
One thing TomTom still hasn't cracked though is on getting the automatic day / night modes right. Even in the dark we still had to delve into the TomTom GO 940 Live's menus to get it to switch. Voice quality from the rear-mounted speaker is also poor, with noticeable distortion at even reasonable volume levels.
So should you buy one?
If your heart rules your head then yes of course. It terms of usability, features and finish, it's easily the most accomplished TomTom GO yet, but you really have to weigh up how many features you'll think you'll need on a day-to-day basis in order to justify that enormous price tag.
At £449.99 then the TomTom GO 940 Live is probably better suited to motorway-munching road warriors than families heading out for an away day.


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Inferno, Sergi Parra
I'm rather liberal when it comes to art, for instance, I wasn't immediately offended by the African style Dung Madonna, since it seemed to me to be a sincere attempt at portraying the Madonna in primitive simplicity, reminiscent of tribal art, not to mention, dung was/is a material of many uses. Of course people can and will disagree with me, and that is their prerogative to do so. Unfortunately, after the initial hoopla, I eventually found out the artist embellished the work with representations of female orifices... and the political, anti-religious sentiments became obvious to me. I soon understood the offense.
I must admit I do from time to time, find secular interpretations of religious people and themes by contemporary artists to be offensive, chiefly because it seems to be the intent of the artist - the works are usually meant to be offensive, or at least provocative. Likewise, I find it disturbing that many secular artists usually know very little about the themes they choose to exploit, themselves apparently lacking any in depth understanding of anything academic outside of their subjective interest. Although, who can fault an art major for not comprehending natural law or Catholic moral teaching? Nevertheless, I can appreciate in their work such things as composition, technique and style without personally liking a particular piece. Yet if it be a politicized work, it strikes me less as a work of art and more a piece of propaganda.
A few years ago there was a magnificent corpus or crucified body representing Christ made entirely of chocolate. It was beautifully done, yet the purpose was highly suspect; the nudity, the fact it was made of chocolate, and on display in a commercial setting during Holy Week and Easter - it wasn't appropriate.
A few years ago there was a magnificent corpus or crucified body representing Christ made entirely of chocolate. It was beautifully done, yet the purpose was highly suspect; the nudity, the fact it was made of chocolate, and on display in a commercial setting during Holy Week and Easter - it wasn't appropriate.
That said, Parra's work is offensive in the extreme. At first when I read about it I imagined it to be a nude model with the actual cross covering the genital area - as in Christ holding the cross, instead I discovered a small painting - holy card - of the Crucifixion by Diego Velazquez covers the genitals - the actual photo is shown above, but I cropped out the genital area. Clearly the work is anti-Catholic, exhibited in Catholic Spain. To take the work of Velazquez and make a G-string/posing strap out of it is offensive enough, but to mock the crucifixion of Christ is blasphemy and an abomination. The boycott and petition to remove the work is right and just.
I think it is important to note that some artists, though they resort to erotica and sexualization of sacred subjects, themselves may be on a path seeking what is true, authentic, and beautiful, and their work may display that process. Their exploration and search for truth, sorting the good from the bad, and so on, in all of its rawness, just might be their response to an interior call. Although we the viewer may find it offensive, I'm not sure we need to condemn the artist. It's kind of a love the sinner, hate the sin deal going on here.


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For cookies
- 1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup coarsely grated carrots (2 medium)
- 1 scant cup walnuts (3 oz), chopped
- 1/2 cup raisins (2 1/2 oz)
For frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 cup honey
Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 2 baking sheets.
Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
Beat together butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in carrots, nuts, and raisins at low speed, then add flour mixture and beat until just combined.
Drop 1 1/2 tablespoons batter per cookie 2 inches apart on baking sheets and bake, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until cookies are lightly browned and springy to the touch, 12 to 16 minutes total. Cool cookies on sheets on racks 1 minute, then transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.
While cookies are baking, blend cream cheese and honey in a food processor until smooth.
Sandwich flat sides of cookies together with a generous tablespoon of cream cheese filling in between.
Makes about 13 cookies.
Substitutions: I used 100% whole wheat flour in place of the AP and only granulated sugar because I did not have any brown sugar on hand. I did not add walnuts because I prefer my cookies without nuts.