text:
Here's an early look at my "X-Men: First Class" preview in the Summer Sneaks issue in the upcoming Los Angeles Times Sunday Calendar issue.
How's this for unexpected territory in a superhero film: "X-Men: First Class" not only uses the Kennedy years, the Civil Rights movement and the Cuban Missile Crisis as a backdrop for its retro tale, the movie's story of two massively powerful mutants who struggle against bitter prejudice was directly informed by the complicated lives of Malcolm X and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
"It came up early on in the rehearsal period and that was the path we took," says Michael Fassbender, who stars as the emotionally scarred Erik Lehnsherr, who will become the militant mutant known as Magneto. "These two brilliant minds coming together and their views aren't that different on some key things. As you watch them you know that if their understanding, ability and intelligence could somehow come together it would be really special. But the split is what makes them even more interesting and tragic."
The other half of the film's "frenemy" pair is Charles Xavier, a.k.a. Professor X, who is portrayed by James McAvoy ("Atonement," "Last King of Scotland") who in this film steps into a younger version of the role made famous by Patrick Stewart in four "X-Men" films (and step is the right word since in this prequel the brilliant leader of the outcast super-hero team has yet to suffer the injuries that will lead to his use of a wheelchair).
The movie has a challenge with its throwback conceits and all the new faces (and the absence, in the credits at least, of Hugh Jackman, the most bankable mutant star). Still, the four mutant-hero movies to date have pulled in $1.53 billion in worldwide box office, and even when devoted fans grumbled about the story quality (as they did with Brett Ratner's 2006 installment "X-Men: The Last Stand") they still bought tickets and joined the Internet debates. The opposite of love isn't hate, it's apathy — and to date there has been no apathy when it comes to the X-Men characters, which created a publishing bonanza for Marvel in the 1980s and '90s.
The new film also marks the return of Bryan Singer to the franchise. The director of the first two "X-Men" movies (which many observers credit with ushering in a new era of ambition for Hollywood super-hero films) left for the third installment and the 2009 spin-off "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" but he's back, this time as producer. Matthew Vaughn, the firebrand filmmaker behind "Kick-Ass," is in the director's chair and has inspired plenty of studio angst with his public candor about the rushed production. "I feel like a boxer against the ropes," the Brit told The Times in January. "I'm just throwing punches and taking them as they come and making sure I don't hit the canvas."
Less stressed-out were Fassbender and McAvoy, two rising stars who have plenty of special-effects film credits between them (the first "Chronicles of Narnia" film, "300," "Wanted," "Jonah Hex," etc.) and a measured confidence as they inherit roles from fanboy-world icons Ian McKellen, who played Magneto in three films, and Stewart. Fassbender showed up one day on the set to find that the prankster McAvoy had replaced their cast chairs with ones emblazoned with the names of those knighted elder actors. [FOR THE RECORD: An earlier version of this post stated that Ian McKellen portrayed Magneto in four films, but there have been only three to date.]
In the end, though, Fassbender said that going to the untapped past of the characters relieved some of the pressure.
"At one point I thought, should I study Ian McKellen as a young man, should I take that approach? Matthew wasn't so keen on it and after discussing it we decided it might lead off away from the real priorities. Just returning to the comic books you find that Erik can — in terms of taking on a voice — Erik can be anything when we meet him. He speaks German, he goes to a concentration camp in Poland, ends up in Eastern Europe with Magda, has a child there and then sort of goes off to Israel. There's so much there and I tried to approach it freshly from that source material and see what I could come up with independently. There is, of course, the hint of what Ian McKellen has done in the movies is there as well."
McAvoy, for his part, said he was glad to go back to a version of younger Professor X that wasn't the "selfless, sexless monk" of the previous movies.
The 1960s setting for this film, meanwhile, not only allows for some "Mad Men" fashion options (and January Jones from that acclaimed AMC series is one of the costars) but it makes this the first Marvel Comics adaptation that is fully set in the decade when the creations of Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko and others made that company's name a true pop-culture brand. "There's something special about connecting with that history and that heritage," Singer said. As far as costars, newly minted Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence will play a younger version of Mystique and Nicholas Hoult jumps into the role of Beast, but there are plenty of new names pulled from the comics, among them Emma Frost (Jones), Azazel (Jason Flemyng), Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) and Havok (Lucas Till).
Still, at the heart of it all, McAvoy says, are Charles and Erik and the magnetic hold they have on each other.
"It's kind of a love story, like 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,' which, really, was a love story between two men. This is the first time in their lives they've met someone who is an equal of sorts, someone who understands them and can connect and push them too. Especially Charles, he's fascinated with Erik and his potential. For Erik, Charles is the first person he's trusted to really tell about his past and the first person to understand the horrible things he's been through."
– Geoff Boucher (Follow me on Twitter @LATherocomplex)
Bryan Singer gets in-depth about Azazel and Havok
Jackman is 'really, really pumped' about 'Wolverine'
'X-Men: First Class': Report from stressed-out set
Patrick Stewart on his biggest 'X-Men' regret
Vaughn: Hollywood is killing the hero genre
After 'Inception,' Vaughn axes 'Class' scene


text:
I received a cruise newsletter for " cruise industry insiders," that noted a market study on cruisers' perceptions on the best way to buy
a cruise. I was surprised at how misinformed some people appear to be about cruise purchases, even in this day of readily available information. And so we want to clear the air.
Not everyone will like what we have to say, but since CruiseMates does not sell travel at all (even our group cruises are handled through an outside agency and unlike similar cruise communities, we don't care to profit from our readers) we have no stake in what we are saying other than our goal to give you the best possible advice on how to buy a cruise.
The study noted that only 78% of cruisers say they book "some" of their cruises with travel agents, down from 88% five years earlier. Most disquieting, 56% of people responded that they believe they can get a better price on a cruise if they book it on their own - without the help of a travel agent. Not true!
Here is the absolute truth: the best cruise deals come from cruise specialist travel agencies. These agencies can and will get you the same price you would get by booking directly with the cruise line every time, and they give you an added level of service you do not get by dealing directly with the cruise line. But best of all, in many cases they will sweeten the deal by offering you additional perks the cruise line would not give you. These are called "value add" inducements.
In the last few months both Carnival and NCL have announced "flat pricing" policies, catching up with the flat-pricing policy already in effect with Royal Caribbean for a few years now. This means that whatever price you see advertised directly from a cruise line will be the same price you see at a cruise agency web site. For the record, Regent, Oceania and other luxury cruise lines also have the same policy.
But you will only get additional perks by using a travel agent - not by booking directly with the cruise line. The cruise lines allow agents to use "value added" enticements like transfers, trip insurance, dinner reservations, bottles of wine - anything except cash. There is an official policy limiting these perks to $150 in value, plus the agents cannot advertise the cash value of these value-added inducements. What does that mean? That you have to call these agents to find out what they will do for you.
Many novice travelers have travel agent phobia. Don't. Successful travel agents make a living by acquiring loyal customers and selling in volume. Some people don't understand that the cruise lines pay the full commission of the travel agent, it is not charged to the customer at all. All of the customer money goes directly to the cruise line and the agent is then paid a commission by the cruise line after you sail.
Part of the new policy is that every cruise booked by a travel agent must be for the exact price set by the cruise line. So, every agency pays the same retail price as you would pay booking directly. Agents are later paid their commission by the cruise line in the form of a check after you sail. It's a tough business where cash flow is critical.
Another misconception is that travel agents will steer you away from what you want and towards the product where they make the most money. Let's answer that concern this way; First, if you don't already have a travel agent you trust you need to find one. Secondly, if do your research and know what you want before you book a cruise you won't be steered away.
Now, for the record, we have heard horror stories about a few agents charging a newcomer the brochure rate on a cruise. That is one reason flat-pricing works for you. If you are ever charged more for a cruise than the line is advertising you need a new travel agent. There is no acceptable excuse.
Travel agents are not paid commissions on airfare, however. Therefore, many agents invoke a service charge for selling you an airline ticket. This is fair, and this even includes the big sellers of air travel on the Internet.
For a detailed discussion on this topic and exactly what you should be paying a travel agent go to this forum: Travel Agent Fees.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
CHICAGO, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Blood samples from Chicago serial killer John Wayne Gacy are being used to create a DNA profile for solving missing persons cases, investigators said.
The investigators told WBBM-TV, Chicago, Gacy's DNA profile has been entered into the FBI's DNA index system.
"Any DNA he left at any crime scene, wherever it is in the country, now would make a hit, and a case that may have occurred in the '70s could conceivably be closed out now," Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said.
Dart's office found records at Gacy's home that indicated he traveled widely, raising the possibility of out-of-state victims.
"We've already placed him in ... 15 or 16 different states, definitely Canada," Dart said.
Dart and the FBI in Chicago are working to determine whether there are unsolved homicides in the areas where Gacy traveled.
Gacy was executed in 1994 for the killing of at least 33 young men and boys. Investigators have speculated Gacy may have been involved in 200 deaths.


text:
As JT's third solo album, The 20/20 Experience, debuts today, we look at the Memphis-born singer's love for everything Latino.
1. 1993-1996—Cast mates with Christina Aguilera
1993-1996 — Cast mates with Christina Aguilera
Timberlake joined fellow future superstars Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling and ex-girlfriend Britney Spears on Disney Channel's The Mickey Mouse Club. The quartet developed their on-camera skills on the house of Mouse. In 2003, JT reconnected with the Ecuadorian-American diva for a co-headlining tour — Justified & Stripped Tour.
2. 2003—"Senorita"
2003 — "Señorita"
Backed by a Latin-tinged R&B beat courtesy of hitmakers The Neptunes, Timberlake sway the attention of a brown-eyed girl from her ill-mannered boyfriend. He told the press the song was inspired by Stevie Wonder and when writing the song he imagined a "dark-skinned, voluptuous lady whose attention he is trying to capture." Hey Justin, FYI: Latinas come in all shapes, colors and sizes pero we'll let it slide this time.
3. 2003-2007—Cameron Diaz Relationship
2003-2007 — Cameron Diaz Relationship
Perhaps JT was envisioning Cuban American actress, Cameron Diaz, when he wrote "Señorita." The two met at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in early 2003 and by the summer, Diaz joined her bf on tour. Even with the nine-year age difference the pair went strong for four years before calling it quits with a joint public statement: "It has always been our preference not to comment on the status of our relationship, but, out of respect for the time we've spent together, we feel compelled to do so now, in light of recent speculation and the number of inaccurate stories that are being reported by the media," they said. "We have, in fact, ended our romantic relationship, and have done so mutually and as friends, with continued love and respect for one another."
4. 2013—SNL Hugo Chavez Song
2013 — SNL Hugo Chavez Song
On the March 9th airing of Saturday Night Live, Timberlake kicked off the variety show impersonating Elton John and singing an ode for fallen Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez. He used many of Chavez's outrageous quotes and moments ("It seems to me you lived your life like a candle in the wind, if a candle could pull out two pistols at a press conference. You said the U.S. caused earthquakes and you outlawed Coke Zero") in his parody. Timberlake + Elton John + Chavez = Hilarious.


text:
Jeremy Mayfield hasn't had too many victories since his suspension from NASCAR in May 2009.
He got a big one Monday.
Yes, he pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors and while he has been convicted, he is a lot better off than the man who faced 21 felony charges across three North Carolina counties since the Nov. 1, 2011 search of his home.
MORE: Mayfield's plea | Drivers with something to prove | Elliott, Earnhardt join forces | Daytona testing sked
The former Sprint Cup star, who was suspended for violating NASCAR's substance abuse policy, won't face jail time — his 45-day sentence was suspended as long as he completes 18 months of unsupervised probation.
So now that his legal trouble is behind him, can he race in NASCAR again?
Well, not yet. He must complete the NASCAR Road to Recovery program. He hopes it could be a quick turnaround as other suspended drivers have completed the program in just two months.
But Mayfield's world since 2009 has been anything but normal. And so to apply normal scenarios might be the wrong thing to do.
• Mayfield failed a May 1, 2009 drug test that NASCAR said was positive for methamphetamine. He says it was for a mixture of Adderall, which he said he was prescribed, and Claritin-D. Mayfield sued NASCAR to try to get reinstated.
• In July 2009, after Mayfield won an injunction to race, NASCAR wanted to test him again. Mayfield said he couldn't find the lab NASCAR instructed him to go to, so NASCAR sent drug testers to his home, where they watched him pee in a cup. Mayfield then went to LabCorp to get drug tested about one hour after he was tested by NASCAR. The NASCAR test was positive for meth, NASCAR said, while Mayfield produced a report that he said had a clean verdict from LabCorp.
• As part of its defense against a Mayfield lawsuit and in an attempt to have his suspension reinstated, NASCAR got Mayfield's stepmother to sign an affidavit saying he used methamphetamine. Mayfield said it was his stepmother's way of getting back at him and blamed her for contributing to the death of his father, which was ruled a suicide. Mayfield's stepmother, in a deposition in a wrongful-death case Mayfield filed against her, said Mayfield supplied his father with methamphetamine until their relationship soured. Mayfield's estranged stepmother, who at one point was arrested for trespassing on Mayfield's property, sued him for slander. They settled, and Mayfield retracted his comments.
• Mayfield alleged that Brian France disliked him so much that France had him parked during the 2006 Brickyard 400. Mayfield's car owner at the time, Ray Evernham, said he made the decision to park Mayfield.
• It was while Mayfield's lawsuit against NASCAR was pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals that criminal charges were filed against him after his home was searched on Nov. 1, 2011 and he was arrested for possession of methamphetamine for having 1.3 grams on his property. On this charge, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug paraphernalia possession.
• Mayfield's attorney argued that the stolen goods found on Mayfield's property during that search were put there by John K. Franklin, who told police about him and Mayfield stealing from others when his own home was being searched. Based on Franklin's information, police searched Mayfield's property. Some of those goods found were from the same company that reported items stolen on the same day that Mayfield was seen there in the wee hours of the morning. Mayfield said he and his friend were just resting in the cab of a truck from a long trip. Franklin was later killed following a police chase, where he had methamphetamine in his possession.
So Mayfield is either very lucky or very unlucky, depending on how one views all this. He could be viewed as the sympathetic victim of a bizarre series of mistakes made by NASCAR and law enforcement or he could be viewed as a desperate person unwilling to admit his wrongs.
Now NASCAR must step in and decide how to deal with Mayfield.
Mayfield has been a thorn in NASCAR's side since the failed drug test, although his challenge to the suspension actually helped strengthen the policy as NASCAR now has a more detailed protocol.
NASCAR typically doesn't punish drivers who get in trouble with the law except when it comes to drug charges. The question of whether the misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charge would be factored into Mayfield's "Road to Recovery" program remains to be seen. Technically, he could face a lifetime ban as a third violation of the policy, but if NASCAR took that route, it would appear retaliatory for the lawsuit Mayfield filed against NASCAR – or retaliatory for Mayfield alleging that NASCAR worked with authorities to bring the criminal charges against him.
Does Mayfield get credit for being out of the sport for more than four years? Or does he need to take longer to prove himself?
NASCAR needs to treat Mayfield as it would treat anyone else who violates the drug policy. It needs to be satisfied that he is not a danger to others on the racetrack. If it is, then it should reinstate him.
Then it can let nature take its course. NASCAR will certainly give Mayfield a drug test often. And it remains to be seen whether a sponsor would back Mayfield.
It's possible. There could be a feel-good story somewhere for a veteran driver who appeared to be in the final years of his career when initially suspended.
There's a lot going against a 44-year-old driver who has been out of the sport for such a long time. Normally it would make sense to say that Mayfield won't race again in NASCAR. But "Mayfield" and "normal" haven't been used in the same sentence since May 2009.
Mayfield finished another chapter in his life Monday, but if he wants to get back into NASCAR, there are no guarantees that his world will ever be completely normal again.


text:
|PsyRadio Friends Our Friends and Partners
Thread Description:www.astrangelyisolatedplace.com
|Thread Tools
|Search this Thread
Статус: PsyRadio Family
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PsyRadio.com.ua
Слушает: Dub
Posts: 1,369
A Strangely Isolated Place - Wonderful Mix Collection
С огромной радостью представляем Вам наших новых друзей - сайт/блог с замечательной подборкой миксов в стилях ambient и electronica.
A Strangely Isolated Place
A Strangely Isolated Place is a music site/blog dedicated to bringing you mixes, music features and reviews of classic, new, unheard and unearthed ambient and electronica musicians, producers and DJ's.
The site was set up in August 2008 and is run by me, your dedicated host, Ryan Griffin. Originally established as a dumping ground for all the music I listened to and wanted to go back to over time, the site has now progressed to an awesome community of people who regularly read, listen and interact with the music posted (I can't thank you all enough). In some ways, the site still remains that musical dumping ground…
The isolatedmix series has been the backbone for the site since day one, when the man behind the inspired title of the site, Ulrich Schnauss, contributed a very special mix. Since then, the series has continued to grow. By invitation only, I've managed to persuade some of my biggest inspirations to contribute and this ethos will hopefully continue as my horizons and heroes exponentially grow.
The site has (and always will be) advert/sponsor free, which of course means everything you see here, has stemmed from my own passion with a little help from a few of you guys along the way. If you would like to see the site grow even more and would consider contributing/donating, please do so here (there's a special prize for anyone who donates by the way…)
Plans are big for the not too distant future and include more very special mixes, an ASIP iPhone application and something I'm really excited about; an ASIP release series. If you would like to get involved, please have a read here.
If you would like to submit your music or mix for consideration, send it over. Please note, I don't really do reviews as such, as I only really post about the music I enjoy and the music i think you guys will like too (i'm a little biased in that respect). I do my best to reply to everyone who contacts me, but please accept my apologies if on the rare occasion I don't get back to you.
You can find ASIP on Twitter @asip, Facebook, Soundcloud, Google+ and Flickr
Feel free to drop me an email and introduce yourself. Thanks for listening!
hello at astrangelyisolatedplace dotcom
promos at astrangelyisolatedplace dotcom
demos at astrangelyisolatedplace dotcom
|Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|Thread Tools
|Search this Thread


text:
Coach Ottis Gibson hoped his West Indies team show improvement in the crucial third one-day international against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Wednesday.
The tourists trail 0-2 in the five-match series against a spirited host who won the first match by seven wickets and the second by their biggest margin of 160 runs -- both in Khulna.
The West Indies managed 199 in the first match and 132 in the second as none of its top order batsman -- including the dashing opener Chris Gayle -- could come to terms with the Bangladeshi spinners on slow tracks.
To add to their woes, the tourists could not practise on Tuesday because of a general strike in the Bangladeshi capital which kept the players indoors mindful of possible unrest.
Gibson said the two defeats were disappointing.
"Obviously, they (defeats) were very disappointing. After we did so well in the Test series, we wanted to finish not just this tour, but this year on a positive note," said Gibson whose team won the preceding two-Test series 2-0.
The West Indies came into the series having won the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in October -- their first world title since the back to back World Cups (50 overs) in 1975 and 1979.
Gibson said his team needed to show improvement.
"When we looked at the games we have played, there is a lot of room for improvement in all three disciplines. We just have not batted anywhere like we know we can bat," said Gibson.
Gibson said his players realised the flaws in their performances.
"We had some meetings about the way we have batted so far, a very open and honest discussion, and I think everybody understands that our batsmen have to take more responsibility for the totals that we are going to achieve," said Gibson.
Gibson said a poor total in the second match was not acceptable.
"I think it comes down now to people looking at themselves because we haven't become a bad side overnight and, from my perspective as coach, it's not all gloom and doom either.
"Hopefully, the batsmen will take the responsibility for the bulk of the runs and try to bat most of the overs. To be dismissed, like we were in the second one-day, with 19 overs remaining is very disappointing.
"Everybody is disappointed and so hopefully the guys will try to put it right tomorrow."
The West Indian coach praised Bangladesh as an improving side.
"Bangladesh have shown that they are an improving one-day outfit for a long time. We never expected it to be easy one-day series, but we just haven't produced the quality that we expected from ourselves," said Gibson.
The remaining two matches will be played in Dhaka on December 7 and 8. The two teams will also play a Twenty20 international on December 10.
Gibson seeks West Indies improvement
Coach Ottis Gibson hoped his West Indies team show improvement in the crucial third one-day international against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Wednesday.


text:
Bea Alonzo shows off cleavage on the cover of Cosmopolitan Philippines February 2013 issue and together with real life boyfriend Zanjoe Marudo!
It is the love month and real life lovers are featured on the magazine Valentine special as well.
Cosmopolitan Magazine is now available where magazines are sold nationwide!


text:
Cortez KennedyRetired
Defensive Line
Ht: | Wt:
News | Stats | Stat vs. Team | Targets | Injury | Depth Chart | Roster
|Def Sacks
|Int TD
|Fum Rec
|Fum TD
|NFL | Cortez Kennedy dies Tuesday
Tue, 23 May 2017 16:37:51 -0700
Retired Hall of Fame DT Cortez Kennedy was found dead Tuesday, May 23, in Orlando, Fla., according to police. There was nothing suspicious about Kennedy's death, but police are conducting an investigation. Kennedy was 48 years old.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:
|| Source: USA TODAY Sports - Lindsay H. Jones
|NFL | 2012 Hall of Fame class announced
Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:06:29 -0800
Former New York Jets RB Curtis Martin highlights the 2012 National Football League Hall of Fame class announced Saturday, Feb. 4. The Hall of Fame committee also selected former Minnesota Vikings DL Chris Doleman, former Seattle Seahawks DL Cortez Kennedy, former Kansas City Chiefs LT Willie Roaf and former Pittsburgh Steelers C Dermontti Dawson. The senior committee also gave the nod to former Pittsburgh Steelers CB Jack Butler.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:
|| Source: NFL.com
|NFL | Finalists announced for Hall of Fame
Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:23:58 -0800
Fifteen modern-day finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame were announced Saturday, Jan. 7, and they are joined by two senior nominees. A selection committee in Indianapolis will meet in Indianapolis Feb. 4 to determine the 2012 Hall of Fame class. RB Jerome Bettis (Steelers), WR Tim Brown (Raiders), , CB Jack Butler (senior - Steelers), WR Cris Carter (Eagles, Vikings), C Dermontti Dawson (Steelers), owner Edward DeBartolo Jr. (49ers), DL/LB Chris Doleman (Vikings, Falcons, 49ers), LB/DL Kevin Greene (Rams, Steelers, Panthers), DL/LB Charles Haley (49ers, Cowboys), DL Cortez Kennedy (Seahawks), RB Curtis Martin (Patriots, Jets), head coach Bill Parcells (Giants, Patriots, Jets, Cowboys), WR Andre Reed (Bills), OT Willie Roaf (Chiefs), OG Will Shields (Chiefs), OG Dick Stanfel (senior - Lions, Redskins) and CB Aeneas Williams (Cardinals, Rams) are the finalists.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:
|| Source: Scout.com - Aaron Wilson
|Seahawks | C. Kennedy next in team's Ring of Honor
Fri, 11 Aug 2006 01:41:44 -0700
Clare Farnsworth, of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, reports former Seattle Seahawks DL Cortez Kennedy will be the next player inducted into the team's Ring of Honor. The team will hold a press conference to announce the induction Friday, Aug. 11.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:
|Saints | Kennedy Assisting Coaches
Mon, 28 Jul 2003 21:27:02 -0700
Former Seattle Seahawks DL Cortez Kennedy is one of a handful of people assisting the New Orleans Saints' coaching staff this summer, according to Chris Pika of NewOrleansSaints.com.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:
|Seahawks | Kennedy To Retire
Thu, 01 Aug 2002 08:52:32 -0700
The Seattle Times reports former Seattle Seahawks DT Cortez Kennedy is expected to officially announce his retirement before the Seahawks intrasquad scrimmage Saturday night.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:
|Vikings | Still Interested in Kennedy
Wed, 11 Apr 2001 21:48:14 -0700
John Clayton of ESPN reports the Minnesota Vikings are still interested in free agent DT Cortez Kennedy. They can offer him a starting job but can only offer him less money than what the New Orleans Saints could pay him as a backup. The Saints have been toying with the idea of paying Kennedy $1 million to come into a three-tackle rotation with La'Roi Glover and Norman Hand. Vikings coach Dennis Green is trying to rebuild his defense and would like to get bigger at defensive tackle. It's not clear if Kennedy wants to play for the offer being made, but Green is very convincing in selling these types of deals to veteran players.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:
|Vikings | Update on Kennedy Visit
Tue, 10 Apr 2001 09:47:20 -0700
As a follow up to last night's story, Bill Williamson reports for the Pioneer Press free agent DT Cortez Kennedy's visit went so well with the Vikings, he changed his scheduled departure from Monday afternoon until this morning. He had dinner with Vikings personnel Monday night. "It went good," Kennedy said. As previously reported negotiations have started and a deal could possibly be reached today. Agent Michael Moye said Kennedy felt good about the Vikings and talks will continue. Kennedy likely would start for the Vikings who feel with the right contract they can squeeze him under the cap.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:
|Vikings | Kennedy to Receive Offer Soon?
Mon, 09 Apr 2001 23:53:24 -0700
According to John Clayton of ESPN, the Minnesota Vikings might make an offer to free agent DT Cortez Kennedy, formerly of the Seattle Seahawks, as early as Tuesday. The Rams and the Saints reportedly remain interested in Kennedy as well.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:
|Rams | Visits Continue
Wed, 14 Mar 2001 00:26:51 -0800
The Post Dispatch reports the St. Louis Rams continued their free agent visits on Tuesday and they planned another for later today. On Tuesday, CBs Walt Harris (Chicago) and Donovan Greer (Buffalo) visited. DT Cortez Kennedy (Seattle) finished his visit earlier today, but he left without a contract offer. S Kim Herring (Baltimore) is scheduled to visit later today.
|Comment (0)
|| Share:


text:
Expanding horizons: Roy Shoults helps kids learn
September 02. 2013 7:35PM
The Manchester School District cannot afford an extra-curricular trip to watch a live opera performance. Thanks to Ward 4 School Board member Roy Shoults, 25 students got one anyway.
This past March, Shoults organized the trip to the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord to watch a live, simulcast performance of New York City's Metropolitain Opera. Shoults got Ted Herbert's Music and Art Center to contribute to the cost of the tickets. Then-Superintendent Thomas Brennan personally covered the cost of the bus trip. The girls were treated to makeovers performed by cosmetology students at the Manchester School of Technology, and the boys got shaves. What a lovely experience.
Now Shoults is up to his glorious mischief again. He wants to raise enough money to cover the $89 cost of Advance Placement tests for low-income students. Shoults' good deeds are part of a project he is calling Expanding Students' Horizons. He has opened an account with the district, to which donations can be made. To donate or to find out how else to help, you can email Shoults at email@example.com.
If more public officials — or citizens — exhibited Shoults' initiative and creativity, imagine the great things the school district could do.


text:
Compact SUVs are increasingly popular with U.S. families, from couples starting out to empty-nesters. The good news for families on a budget is that these haulers are getting more affordable even as they offer more standard features and get better gas mileage. To see which offers the most value for a family, experts from USA TODAY, car-shopping site Cars.com and PBS' MotorWeek— plus a real Chicago family — compared six models that met a mainstream price limit and were EPA-rated at least 30 miles per gallon for our $25,000 Compact SUV Shootout.
http://bcove.me/7gk731y4 See Review from Cars.com here......
To see just how much a family on a moderate budget can get in a compact SUV, we set the price cap for entries at $25,000 before shipping.
And with fuel efficiency increasingly important for the family budget, we required at least a 30-miles-per-gallon EPA highway rating. That left out a couple of well-known crossovers — Toyota's RAV4 and Nissan's Rogue — each at 28. But expect their coming redesigns to post higher mpgs.
The contenders
The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox; the 2013 Ford Escape (new); the 2012 Honda CR-V (new); the 2012 Hyundai Tucson; the 2012 Kia Sportage; and the 2013 Mazda CX-5 (new).
A note about the price cap: For a couple, including the Escape, the next-higher model, with an engine upgrade or extra features, exceeded the cap by less than $100. But the top-rated SUVs in our test weren't the ones pushing the price cap, so the price difference with fancier versions of others that just missed the cut is significant.
The testing and scoring
The six SUVs were tested over three days in and around Chicago, including:
•A 200-mile gas-mileage test from urban driving to interstates.
•A day of back-to-back testing by our five experts over the same course to score the features, cargo and storage space, technology and the driving dynamics, including ride, noise, handling, acceleration and braking.
•A day of testing by a family of four in the market for a compact SUV to replace their 2001 Chevy Tracker.
The winner got the most points out of 1,000, with the real-world gas mileage rank weighted to count for 10% of the total score, the five experts' scores for 75%, and the family's scores for 15%.
The expert and family testers
Our experts: David Thomas, Cars.com managing editor; Jennifer Geiger, an editor at Cars.com; Bill Jackson, a Cars.com senior editor; Fred Meier, automotive editor for USA TODAY; and Brian Robinson, auto journalist and a producer for PBS' MotorWeek program.
The family: Erin and Nicholas Ravelingeen of Chicago, and their children, Trudy, 4, and Mason, 2. In addition to the Tracker, they own a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero. They use the vehicles for errands and road trips, says Erin, a stay-at-home mom. Nicholas, who works in risk management downtown, doesn't use a car to commute. They put about 8,000 miles a year
on each auto.
And the winner is …
No. 1: 2012 Honda CR-V EX
Points: 809 (out of 1,000)
Price with shipping: $25,425
Observed gas mileage: 30.3 mpg, No. 2 in test (city/highway EPA rating 23/31)
Key features: Sunroof (only one in test). Backup camera. Pandora Internet radio (only one in test). Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick.
What they liked: Features. All in our tester were standard for the model, and the blend pleased the judges. "Even just with the standard tech features, it shined. The Bluetooth and USB integration work well with a vibrant color display that's easy to read. The stereo was one of my favorites," Thomas says. "Loaded with convenience features standard," says Geiger. "Three of my favorites: the always-helpful backup camera; the cavernous center console box; and the easy fold-flat seats with cargo-area release handles." A bonus: "The only vehicle with a sunroof at this price." Thoughtful design. "Great ergonomics and the best interior layout," says Robinson. Family friendly. "Parents will love the roomy rear for child seats, low door sill and rear doors that open a full 90 degrees. Come to think of it, aging Boomers may like those even more," Meier says. Family testers Erin and Nick Ravelingeen were "totally amazed" by the flip-down mirror (most often seen in minivans) that lets parents check on kids in back.
What they didn't: It was one of three redesigns in the test, but not all thought Honda improved its looks. Jackson says. "It's got the biggest butt … here," says Jackson. "Actually, the front styling ain't so hot, either." Handling. It's "where the CR-V showed some chinks in the armor," Thomas says. "When taking corners, driver and passengers leaned more than in the others." "Comfy ride, but vague steering and loads of body lean make it not the driver's choice," says Meier. Aggressive Eco mode. "I appreciate the potential fuel savings, but (Eco) alters the throttle response and delays shift points to where the CR-V seems lazy," says Geiger. Missed tech expectations. "Still trails many others in tech and convenience features such as blind-spot monitoring systems, push-button start, etc," says Robinson.
Bottom line: "One of the most well-rounded in this segment. It's a comfortable cruiser with a solid powertrain, a compliant ride and plenty of features," says Geiger. "The brand's history of strong reliability helps tip the scale."
No. 2: 2013 Mazda CX-5 Touring
Points: 784 (out of 1,000)
Price with shipping: $24,690
Observed gas mileage: 32.8 mpg, No. 1 in test (city/highway EPA rating 26/32)
Key features: Power driver seat. 5.8-inch color touch-screen. Backup camera. HD and satellite radio. Blind spot alert system (only one). IIHS Top Safety Pick.
What they liked: Top fuel economy. More than 2 mpg above next best. Interior "The richest look of any in our test," Jackson says. "I kept thinking that we had to be in a model that didn't meet our price." Value. "Low base prices and high fuel economy mean this car should appeal to penny pinchers, and lots of features for the price (blind spot alert, backup camera, power driver seat) mean they're getting good value," says Geiger. Front visibility. "High windshield, pulled-back front pillars and door-mounted mirrors give great road view and safety, particularly in the city," says Meier. Rear seat. "Folds in a 40/20/40 split, which is useful for hauling different combinations of people and cargo," says Geiger. "Also folds flat with ease, thanks to cargo-area handles."
What they didn't: Power. Low scores here likely kept it from winning. "The 2-liter engine has adequate pep from a stop, but is on the loud side and takes a while to gather steam," Geiger says. Handling. "The Escape, Tucson and Sportage out-cornered it," says Thomas.
Bottom line: Mazda needs the CX-5 to be a winner, says Geiger, "and it's poised to be … with eye-catching styling, a quality interior, plenty of features and excellent-for-the-class fuel economy."
No. 3: 2012 Kia Sportage LX
Points: 774 (out of 1,000)
Price with shipping: $24,575
Observed gas mileage: 28.5 mpg (city/highway EPA rating 22/32)
Key features: Navigation system (only one). Heated mirrors. Cooling glove box (only one). Backup camera. Five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain (tie for longest). Satellite radio. IIHS Top Safety Pick.
What they liked: Navi and audio. "A full navigation system with an upgraded stereo at a price in the middle of our range was a huge win," says Thomas. Styling. "Definitely has attitude," says Geiger. "The edgiest-looking of the bunch." Storage. "A deep center console, coupled with underfloor bins in the cargo area, means plenty of places to stash stuff," says Geiger. Handling, ride. "Has the crisp handling of mechanically similar Hyundai Tucson," Meier says, "but its good ride and quiet interior are amazingly better."
What they didn't: Rear visibility. The rakish roof "means you'll need its backup camera and wish for a blind spot alert," says Meier. Interior quality. "Doesn't seem on par with most recent Kias," says Robinson. Cargo area. "Too small with a high load floor," Thomas says. Navi screen angle. "You've got a great nav system and install it leaning backward toward the windshield? That leads to a lot of glare," Thomas says.
Bottom line: "The sticker price and features wowed me, the family and likely other shoppers," says Thomas. "If cargo space isn't a concern, the Sportage will be hard to ignore."
No. 4: 2012 Chevrolet Equinox LS
Points: 740 (out of 1,000)
Price with shipping: $24,355
Observed gas mileage: 27.1 mpg (city/highway EPA rating 22/32)
Key features: Sliding (8 inches) second-row. Power height control for driver's seat. IIHS Top Safety Pick.
What they liked: Storage, cargo space. "Being the biggest one in the group, there's lots of cargo space, but even more important, there's lots of small-item storage up front, as well," Robinson says. "The interior has an 'almost-premium' feel." Sliding second row. It "was the only SUV where I felt I could take a road trip in the second row, thanks to the sliding rear seats," says Jackson. "There's a huge second row and a large cargo area, too; most SUVs in this class make you choose." The child seat latch anchors. "Among the best I've ever used. Completely exposed and lots of clearance. Hooking up a child-safety seat is a breeze," says Geiger.
What they didn't: The drivetrain. "This powertrain needs to go to finishing school," Geiger says. "It's slow, loud, and the transmission's shifts are clunky and oddly timed." Road noise. "The loudest of the six" on the highway, Thomas says. No USB. "Unexpectedly good audio with subwoofer at this price, and then no USB for your iPod!" says Meier. The "cost-cutting will turn off younger buyers you could have wooed with good sound."
Bottom line: "It's very roomy inside, and has one of the best rides of the group," says Robinson. "It's a great overall package that could just use a little more powertrain refinement."
No. 5: 2012 Hyundai Tucson Limited
Points: 721.5 (out of 1,000)
Price with shipping: $25,820 (highest)
Observed gas mileage: 27.6 mpg (city/highway EPA rating 22/32)
Key features: Top trim with heated leather seats (only one in test). Roof rack. Five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain. Hill descent control. Power driver seat. Satellite radio. IIHS Top Safety Pick.
What they liked: Value. "The price starts under 20 grand, and by the time you get to 25, you've got a ton of features for not a lot of price," says Robinson. "Amazingly well-dressed for the price. Delivers on Hyundai reputation for value for your bucks," says Meier. Easy-to-use technology. "Give me the Tucson's straightforward tech over the Mazda's touch-screen any day. Scrolling through iPod playlists, synching your phone and making calls was intuitive and natural," says Thomas. Power and handling. "The Tucson springs away from stoplights and has decent passing power," says Jackson. "Handling was top-notch," says Thomas. "One of the few crossovers that I could take at full speed through tight turns."
What they didn't: Noise. "Road noise and tire roar are hard to ignore … one of the loudest SUVs in the class," says Geiger. Cargo space. Says Thomas: The cargo area is "too small for my family dog, let alone what we pack for a road trip, and has a high load-in height."
Bottom line: "The Tucson remains an excellent option in the class," says Thomas, "but the class has gotten much tougher very quickly."
No. 6: 2013 Ford Escape S
Points: 693.5 (out of 1,000)
Price with shipping: $23,295 (lowest)
Test gas mileage: 27.4 mpg (city/highway EPA rating 22/31)
Key features: Reclining second row. Under-floor storage in second row. No IIHS crash test data yet.
What they liked: Driving dynamics. It "excels in … ride, handling and acceleration by managing to feel both composed and relaxed," says Jackson. The new look. The 2013 is sleek, no longer boxy. The rear seat. "The thin-looking rear seat has a reclining back, and is surprisingly comfy and roomy for two," says Meier. Cargo room. "Quite large with a low load floor," says Thomas.
What they didn't: Lack of features. The base Escape had the lowest price, and fewest features. It was the only one with wheel covers and without Bluetooth connectivity. But just one step up to more features and a new engine topped $25,000. The base "2.5-liter engine [is] not nearly as nice as the available EcoBoost engines," says Robinson. Storage, for a family SUV. "Clever underfoot rear storage can't make up for a tiny console bin and lack of cubbies," says Meier. Air conditioning vents. "They don't shoot air in the direction you think when adjusting them," says Thomas, "and there are two above the controls that shoot air only toward your lap. I had a hard time getting comfortable."
Bottom line: "The base model is a black-plastic austerity plan," says Meier. "You have to pay more to get the real redesign, including a nicer interior and new state-of-the-art engines."


text:
The art of sculpting huge blocks of fat is the focus of a strange-but-true competitive event at the Iowa State Fair. Wielding trowels with the utmost precision, carvers ply their craft in temperature-controlled booths.
In contrast, "Butter," which uses a local lead-up to that bout as the battleground setting for hit-and-miss comedy, has all the exactitude and rigor of unrefrigerated oleo. The would-be satire is nothing more than a bunch of sketch characters and jokes welded to a sentimental subplot.
Wavering between tepid celebration and ham-fisted ridicule of this slice of Americana, the movie is essentially as condescending as its main character. She's a ruthless, flag-waving xenophobe, well-played by Jennifer Garner. With her tight-jawed smile, sweater sets and pearls, Garner's Laura Pickler is an obvious riff on the Palin/Bachmann school of ossified chirp.
Having enjoyed the cachet of her husband's longtime reign as Iowa's butter-carving champ, Laura doesn't take it well when easygoing Bob (Ty Burrell, of "Modern Family") agrees to retire his sculpting tools to make room for up-and-comers. So she steps into the competition, with all the graciousness of Lady Macbeth.
Laura is a character overripe for comeuppance, which Jason A. Micallef's screenplay delivers, none too subtly, in the form of a little girl named Destiny (Yara Shahidi). A 10-year-old of preternatural self-possession with a knack for carving — and, it turns out, a Christ-like capacity for love, understanding and forgiveness — Destiny is Laura's chief rival in the local event.
She's also apparently the only African-American for miles around and has understandably reached the conclusion that "white people are weird." Her new foster parents (Alicia Silverstone and Rob Corddry), though, test that theory with their kindness, relatively cosmopolitan open-mindedness and unwavering support, even if they can't quite get their heads around the whole dairy-product-as-art subculture.
Neither, it seems, can the film, which compiles an assortment of sculpture subjects designed to provoke giggles: a horse-riding Newt Gingrich, "Schindler's List," the Last Supper, the Kennedy assassination (!). They're OK as stand-alone gags but, combined, take on a forced absurdity that's all over the map, much like the story. The material requires more flair than director Jim Field Smith ("She's Out of My League") musters with his flat sitcom style.
Micallef's debut screenplay, well regarded in Hollywood (it placed high on the Black List of unproduced scripts and won the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science's Nicholl Scholarship), takes superficial swipes at hypocrisy. Laura is squeaky-clean in public and swears like a sailor in private — hardly the stuff of penetrating social observation.
An uncharacteristically light-handed aside has the bent-on-success meanie listening to an audiobook of "The Secret" — a nice touch, even if the new age slant doesn't jibe with her Middle American aura.
More than holding up the earnest side of this bifurcated story are the nuanced performances of Burrell, Corddry, Silverstone and Shahidi. Garner effectively accentuates Laura's ludicrousness, and on that front the film also benefits from turns by a typically goofy Kristen Schaal ("The Daily Show"); Hugh Jackman, as the dim-bulb ex Laura enlists to undermine Destiny; and especially Olivia Wilde, whose potentially home-wrecking stripper doesn't skimp on bad-girl rebellion.
Given the talent assembled for this diversion, you can't believe it's not better.
'Butter' -- 1 star
MPAA rating: R (for language, sexual content and brief drug use)
Running time: 1:32
Opens: Friday


text: Guest-hosting on The Posner Show, Anthea talks to Julian about Trayvon Martin. Julian argues that the case been distorted by our search for the perfect allegory, while Anthea criticizes the Stand Your Ground law and the mentality of the gated community. Breaking news: Hispanics can be racist, too! Anthea and Julian move on to discuss the strange way that The Hunger Games has exposed teenage racism and examine the film's social critique. They close by looking at how the media's construction of left vs. right narrative frames comes at the detriment of the truth.Play entire video


text:
For a crystal-clear view of ongoing traffic, you will be needing a good Buick mirror that will take care of most of those hard-to-see corners. Looking at the wing and rear-view mirror for Buick, you'll be able to easily move to other lanes, back up, or manage to do an abrupt turn without unexpectedly slamming straight into another motor vehicle or crashing into road obstructions and pedestrians.
Indeed, the mirror of your Buick allows you to operate your ride with less trouble even in a populated road. When you have a damaged Buick mirror, you'd better be more alert if driving or don't drive for a while to protect yourself from the probability of causing road mishaps. Be sure that you are installing the required stock replacement for your Buick. Heated wing mirrors are offered on the market-others even feature integrated signals. To turn mirrors instantly, you may have electronically operated mirrors. Now, you'll buy rear-view mirrors that ensure a more clear-cut perspective of the blind spots.
Never browse some place else when shopping for a new Buick mirror-Parts Train is the right store to buy top-quality car accessories and parts. Visit our listing today to take your pick from our huge array of parts care of companies such as All Sales, OES Genuine, and Reese and get the cheapest prices on the Internet!
Market Price :$12.53
Discount Price :$7.07
Total Savings :$5.46
Market Price :$140.97
Discount Price :$131.07
Total Savings :$9.90
Market Price :$77.37
Discount Price :$69.32
Total Savings :$8.05
Market Price :$46.12
Discount Price :$39.46
Total Savings :$6.66
Use our Part Fit Checker to view parts compatible with your vehicle.


text:
Next >
Much like expressing anal glands and dealing with Dr. Google, restrictive covenants are one of the necessary evils in veterinary practice. Dr. Jim Guenther, MBA, CVPM, owner and president of Strategic Veterinary Consulting in Asheville, N.C., says practice owners need to protect themselves when they've got a well-liked, high-producing associate at their practice. A restrictive covenant is the only thing keeping him or her from setting up shop next door and stealing away hard-earned clients. On the other hand, restrictive covenants need to be fair to associates, or those well-liked veterinarians won't make a stop -- temporary or permanent -- at your practice.
Associates are understandably nervous about the clauses, Dr. Guenther explains. Some noncompete clauses state that if you leave your current position, you cannot practice veterinary medicine in the area for X number of years. So if you're a large animal practitioner and all of a sudden you want to set up a small animal practice -- you can't, he says. It may not be the intent of the contract, but that's what the clause says.
"If you sign that, you're signing your life away," Dr. Guenther says. " You're locked out of your livelihood."
According to data from the 2012 Veterinary Economics Business Issues Survey, 51 percent of associates now work under a contract that includes a restrictive covenant. The majority of veterinarians (26 percent) said they can't work within an 11 to 15 miles of their former practice, and 48 percent said their restrictive covenant lasts one to two years they leave their job. Check out the following pages to learn more dirty details about restrictive covenants and noncompetes.


text:
China holidays
Select an image to see larger
Accommodation rating: Superior
Please call 020 7873 5000 for more information or to make a booking.
Alternatively, discover other hotels and what to do in Hangzhou
ExceptionalTruly exclusive and exceptionally luxurious.
LuxuryVery high class accommodation with superb facilities and service.
Superior High standard accommodation, service and facilities.
Good StandardGood standard accommodation, service and facilities.
SimpleClean and comfortable with en suite bathrooms but limited facilities.
BasicVery modest with shared bathrooms and minimal facilities
Located just 20 minutes drive from Hangzhou city centre, the Amanfayun Resort is situate...
Enveloped in lush greenery, Banyan Tree Hangzhou sits within China's first wetland...
The Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou is designed as an intimate lakeside village on the shore...