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Mercedes Benz first regular bus that complies with Euro VI standards: Citaro Euro VI
A diesel powered service bus from Mercedes Benz holds the record of being the first such bus to be Euro VI compliant. The Citaro Euro VI is the cleanest running diesel powered bus being offered with Euro VI engines thus meeting stringent exhaust emission standards. What sets this bus apart from the rest is the fact that besides meeting high level of emission standards its fuel consumption too is reduced by 5% while oil and AdBlue consumption is also at a new reduced level. The Mercedes Benz Citaro is eco friendly, economical and safe to be used for regular bus services. This bus comes at a time when demand is high for procurement of service vehicles which meet the new Euro VI standards.
The bus with Euro VI compliance offers a smoother ride, a better acoustic experience for both driver and passengers besides lower engine sound. The company has also developed two completely new engines based on the company motto of BlueEfficiency Power.
The first such engine comprises of an in line six cylinder OM 936 with 7.7 liter displacement and the second is an OM 470 with 10.7 liter displacement. These two engines are the ultimate where acceleration and power are concerned. They offer smooth running and efficient maintenance. High level of fuel efficiency apart, these engines also consume oil which is at 50% less than their predecessors. The new engines have technical designs that include crossflow cylinder with four valves per cylinder which offers ultra fast gas exchange process. The cylinder head and crank case are joined together with 6 screws per cylinder offering better stability and rigidity.
News Release: The cleanest-running diesel-powered regular-service bus: the Mercedes-Benz Citaro with new Euro VI engines
• The first series-produced regular-service bus to meet the Euro VI exhaust standard
• Development of two completely new engine families
• Fuel consumption cut by up to 5 percent, engine oil and AdBlue consumption also reduced
• The new OM 936 engine in detail: a compact and powerful performer
• The regular-service bus specialist: horizontally mounted in-line six-cylinder engine
• The OM 470 engine in detail: a powerful lightweight unit
• Exterior: the new-look rear of the Citaro
• Even higher corrosion protection and quality
• The Mercedes-Benz Citaro in detail
Wiesbaden/Stuttgart – Another great leap forward for the global bestseller among regular-service buses: the Mercedes-Benz Citaro has just extended its lead over the competition with a completely new engine generation. This makes the Citaro the first regular-service bus to be fitted and supplied with Euro VI engines as standard, and the world's cleanest-running diesel regular-service bus. A raft of further innovations have reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, successfully offsetting the extra weight involved in meeting the Euro VI exhaust emissions standard. Mercedes-Benz has also continued to further enhance the Citaro in many other ways, to create the world's most future-proof, eco-friendly, economical and safe regular-service bus.
Imperatives and incentives for meeting the Euro VI exhaust emissions standard
Special importance is given to the environmental footprint of regular-service buses, because these vehicles are very often used in areas that are particularly sensitive to environmental damage. For city centres, suburbs and the fast-growing urban areas in Europe and far beyond, environmental protection is a top priority alongside economic considerations when it comes to the purchase and operation of regular-service buses.
The Mercedes-Benz Citaro opens up a whole new chapter in this area by successfully meeting both environmental and economic objectives, as the first regular-service bus delivered to customers with a Euro VI-compliant engine. This has been achieved with an entirely new engine generation from Mercedes-Benz.
This was the ideal time for Mercedes-Benz again to take the lead in the engine development stakes, with several calls for tenders for procurement contracts stipulating Euro VI as mandatory. Incentive schemes are also now in place for meeting the new exhaust emissions standard.
Development of two completely new engine families
"BlueEfficiency power" was the motto for the development of these completely new engine model series for the Mercedes-Benz Citaro. The family comprises the in-line six-cylinder OM 936 with a displacement of 7.7 litres and the OM 470 with a displacement of 10.7 litres. Other shared features include excellent fuel, AdBlue and engine oil economy and long maintenance intervals for the diesel particulate filter – 120,000 km or two years in the case of the Citaro.
Impressive acceleration and smooth-running characteristics
The new engines impress immediately with their acceleration and power, combined with impeccably smooth running. The acoustics of the weight-bearing structures of the Citaro have also been very carefully designed, including a rigid framework structure for maximum vibration isolation.
High torque already at very low engine speed generates high but economical output at revolutions scarcely above idling speed. This makes for excellent acceleration performance from the bus stop or traffic lights. It also enables the gear change points in the automatic transmission available in the vehicle to be set relatively low, in the interests of fuel economy.
Even lower engine speed
The powerful performance of these engines has also allowed the developers in almost all cases to provide longer axle ratios than in previous engines. To take just two examples, the standard axle ratio in the rigid regular-service bus is now i=6.21 rather than i=7.37, and in the rigid intercity coach i=5.77 instead of i=6.21. This significantly lowers engine speed and noise levels, as well as reducing the number of comfort-impairing gear changes.
As well as being able to feel the new performance features of these engines, the driver can also see them, with the green area of the revolution counter marking the high-economy engine speed range, starting as low as 900 rpm in the Citaro.
So along with even higher fuel economy, the new Euro VI Citaro also offers smoother running and provides a more agreeable acoustic experience for driver and passengers alike, thanks to the lower engine speeds, plus optimised noise insulation and the fuel injection process.
Technical features of the new engines
The clean exhaust and low fuel consumption of these powerplants is based on a high-efficiency combustion process. Ignition pressures of over 200 bar and injection pressures of up to 2400 bar (OM 936) and 2100 bar (OM 470) set the new standard in this area. The engines also now feature cooled exhaust recirculation.
For exhaust gas aftertreatment, both engines rely on the BlueTec-6 technology developed by Mercedes-Benz. A sealed particulate filter and the SCR system successfully used by Mercedes-Benz over many years form an ideal combination. BlueTec-6 technology reduces particulate emissions to the limits of detectability, while nitrogen oxide emissions are broken down into harmless air constituents by the injection of AdBlue in the downstream SCR catalytic converter. The end result is further reductions of around 80 and 66 percent in comparison with Euro V engines, for nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions, respectively.
The exhaust systems have either one pipe (OM 936) or two (OM 470), and the low exhaust back-pressure further reduces fuel consumption. The exhaust system is located at the bottom right of the engine compartment in the regular-service bus, without any noticeable impact on space in the passenger compartment. It is dimensioned to provide sufficient ash storage capacity, and extends maintenance intervals for the diesel particulate filter to two years or 120,000 km.
Engine and AdBlue consumption dramatically reduced
Along with their outstanding fuel economy, the oil consumption of the new engines is down to around one half of that for their predecessors, which along with other design changes has also lengthened the filter cleaning interval. AdBlue consumption has also been trimmed back to only 2 to 4 percent of fuel consumption. That is about one half of the figure for the Euro V engine, another positive factor in the running cost equation.
Ingenious design details
The new engines are crammed with ingenious technical design solutions. A crossflow cylinder head with four valves per cylinder ensures an ultra-fast gas exchange process. The cylinder head and crankcase are joined with six screws per cylinder, for a rigid and therefore very stable connection. The two overhead crankshafts operating the valves of each cylinder are formed from a tube, to which the cams are shrink-fitted. This results in a structure that is both light and strong.
The new OM 936 in detail: compact and powerful
The subtleties of the new OM 936 include the VCP (variable camshaft phaser), based on the first such variable recess camshaft of this kind ever to be used in a diesel engine. Adjustment supports the regeneration of the PM filter: when regeneration is needed, the valve timings are adjusted in order to raise the temperature levels in the exhaust duct.
The turbocharging function of the OM 936 is tailored according to output level. The variant with output of 220 kW (299 hp) has an asymmetrical exhaust turbocharger with a two-pipe turbine. In contrast, the higher-power 260-kW (354-hp) variant available as an option in the Citaro LowEntry has a two-level supercharging process with two turbochargers.
Thanks to its compact structure with water pump fitted at the side, the engine is about the same length as its predecessors, in spite of the larger displacement. The OM 936 is actually 25 mm shorter than the OM 926 LA used in current models. The engines have favourable power to weight ratios – for example, the dry weight of the OM 936 is 650 kg (DIN 700020-A). The outstanding power performance of this engine is such that in some cases it can even replace larger-displacement and therefore heavier engines.
The OM 936 six-cylinder engine is available in the new Citaro in two power and torque levels:
Power Torque
220 kW (299 hp) at 2200 rpm 1200 Nm at 1200–1600 rpm
260 kW (354 hp) at 2200 rpm 1400 Nm at 1200–1600 rpm
The regular-service bus specialist: the horizontally mounted in-line six-cylinder OM 936h
Both power levels of the in-line six-cylinder engine are also available in the Citaro in a horizontally mounted variant (OM 936h), specifically designed for regular-service bus use. The basic engine remains the same, since the design implications of a horizontal variant were factored in already at the concept stage. A high level of structural design input was required, however, since the entire periphery of the powerplant had to be developed specifically for this purpose.
In contrast with the vertical version, both levels of the horizontal engine have two-stage supercharging. The horizontal engine in the Citaro is a very compact structure, and because of the extremely narrow tolerances the radiator ducts are castings rather than the brass pipes normally used.
New features of the OM 936h include the fuel module, the oil coolant module, the oil sump, fitting the turbocharger with air and exhaust ducts, valve cover with oil mist separator and the arrangement of the belt-driven PTO units. The specialist profile of the horizontal engine called for a completely distinct development and testing process.
The OM 470 in detail: light and powerful
The new OM 470 engine is based on the OM 471 heavy-duty model range, but with some distinctive touches reflecting its intended areas of use. In particular, its weight of just 990 kg (DIN 70020-A) makes the new OM 470 ideally suited for buses, where every kilogram counts.
A key feature of the new OM 470 (vertically mounted only) is X-PULSE, the unique flexible common rail system developed by Mercedes-Benz, with all-electronic control and hydraulic pressure booster. In comparison with the pressure of a maximum of 900 bar developed in the common rail, the injection pressure in individual injectors is boosted to up to 2100 bar. The injection process can be modelled as required according to the operating environment.
In all versions of the OM 470, supercharging is carried out with an exhaust turbocharger with an asymmetric turbine casing and rigid geometry. Specifically for fitting in buses, the engine also has a very flat oil pan to save space. The new OM 470 is designed for use in articulated buses operated in areas with challenging topographical features and in large-capacity buses.
It is available for the Citaro in two power and torque levels:
Power Torque
265 kW (360 hp) at 1800 rpm 1700 Nm at 1100 rpm
290 kW (394 hp) at 1800 rpm U/min 1900 Nm at 1100 rpm
Choice of two state-of-the-art transmission systems
Both new engines have fully automatic torque converter transmission systems, as before. Voith and ZF transmissions sytems are available, both in the latest version for compliance with the Euro VI exhaust emissions standard. The torque converter characteristic curve is adjusted for the low engine speeds in the new engines.
Euro VI compliance with up to 5 percent lower fuel consumption
In spite of Euro VI requirements and the associated exhaust gas aftertreatment process, the fuel consumption of the new Citaro is even lower than its Euro V predecessor, which already had excellent fuel economy. Measurements in practical operating conditions indicate consumption savings of up to 5 percent, with a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions. For an operator with average mileages and fuel costs, this means extra savings of around 800 to 1400 euros per year.
Recuperation module for fuel savings
When it comes to the outstanding economy of the new Citaro, the development engineers have excelled themselves, with a new fuel recuperation module (24 volts) for even more fuel savings. The free electricity generated during the "overrun" phase will be stored, and used for energy supply to the vehicle during the "traction" phase. This will ease the load on the alternators, lengthening their service life, and further reduce fuel consumption.
The energy will be stored in "supercaps", double-layer capacitors with a power rating of 6 kW and a capacitance of 1 Ah. This process alone will achieve a reduction of more than two percent in the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of the Citaro, depending on operating conditions.
Battery/alternator management for improved economy
But vehicle economy involves more than just fuel consumption. For example, in the Citaro the starter battery temperature is constantly monitored, and a battery-specific characteristic curve is used to determine the optimum charge voltage. As well as keeping the battery in optimal condition at all times, this also increases battery life, thereby reducing costs.
The same applies to the new alternators. The synchronised operation of the up to four alternators in parallel mode ensures an optimum load distribution. This means a lower load and a significantly longer service life for these components.
However, the new Citaro is able to dispense with an automatic oil refilling function. Because of its minimal oil consumption, this function is not essential, but it is still available as a special equipment option.
A new equipment option is a tyre pressure monitoring system. This displays the current tyre pressure in the individual tyres, and also warns the driver of any possible concerns, such as unusually high temperatures. This prevents tyre deterioration, increases tyre service life and reduces fuel consumption and emissions by keeping tyre pressures at the correct level at all times.
Fuel savings even from the lower boarding height
Both passengers and transport operators benefit from a boarding height at all doors of just 320 mm. The height reduction of 20 mm at doors two and three is more convenient for passengers and also reduces kneeling time and air consumption, which adds up to superior economy. Air consumption for the kneeling operation is reduced by around 10 to 20 percent, with fuel savings in the order of 0.4 to 0.5 percent. In the event of more ground clearance being required by the terrain on specific routes, because of steep gradients or overland routes, for example, a chassis elevation system can be provided on request.
The electronically controlled air compressor previously used in the vertical-engine Citaro articulated bus is now fitted in all models in the range. The close-loop controlled air compressor is a two-level device, and therefore operates at significantly lower temperatures. It also works whenever possible in fuel economy mode, during an "overrun" phase. To ensure this is the case as often as possible, the system pressure for the suspension and door operation has been increased from 10 bar to 12 bar. This creates higher air reserves, and saves fuel. Rigid buses are fitted with a two-cylinder air compressor, and their articulated counterparts with a three-cylinder device.
The air processing unit (APU) is now electronically controlled. The unit combines an air dryer, pressure governor, four-circuit protection valve and pressure sensors in a single component. The APU and a parking heater are now fitted at the same location in all versions of the Citaro, simplifying servicing procedures.
Weight still the same, with every kilogram at a premium
In spite of the major addition of exhaust gas aftertreatment to the specification for Euro VI engines, the weight of the new Citaro remains largely unchanged, with no reduction in passenger numbers. According to seating and equipment options, the new Euro VI Citaro rigid bus therefore has capacity for up to 100 passengers.
With an eye on the increased weight involved in future compliance with Euro VI, numerous weight-saving measures were already incorporated in the redesigned Citaro introduced one year ago. To meet the Euro VI requirements, the rear of the Citaro has now been completely redesigned and weight-optimised, from the rear axle up. The changes to the rear axle segment alone resulted in a weight reduction of as much as 60 kg. The rear axle is designed for with high input torque levels, for engines with ratings of up to 1900 Nm.
Other weight-trimming measures included reducing the panel thickness of the steel wheel arches to 1.5 mm, without affecting strength characteristics. The new single-section roof made of glass-fibre-reinforced plastic (GRP) saves another 20 kg. Another new weight-optimised feature is the roof frame in the area section, and further weight savings of around 40 kg have been achieved with engine mounts made from aluminium.
Every kilogram was at a premium, as a wide range of detailed design features reveal. For example, the significantly lower consumption of AdBlue meant that the in-vehicle reserve tank volume could be cut from 38 to 21 litres, bringing significant weight savings. Another case in point was the open bearing frame for the radiator fan. This is now a single aluminium casting, resulting in less weight and increased manufacturing precision.
Body adjustment even more sensitive than before
The chassis of the Citaro – already recognised as an outstanding design – has also been further enhanced with some fine touches on the part of the developers. Placing the height sensors outside rather than inside the vehicle makes the body height adjustment process even more sensitive and unobtrusive than before. The optional chassis for poor roads, a combination of vehicle elevation and modified suspension/shock absorber settings, provides a higher ground clearance and increased approach and departure angles, creating the optimum chassis setting for intercity journeys on rough terrain.
Exterior: the new-look rear of the Citaro
The most striking features of the rear of the new Euro VI Citaro are the increased height and the tower-style engine arrangement. The developers have designed a new rear frame for the new engines, including a new-look rear, lengthened by 30 mm. The rigid bus is now 12,135 mm long, and the three-axle articulated bus has a length of 18,125 mm. The turning radius is not affected by the new dimensions.
Another standout feature is the new rear dome of the Citaro, with a distinctive decorative element at the side. This gives the vehicle a slightly wedge-shaped, dynamic contour. The new rear section increases the height at this point to 3095 mm, but the maximum overall vehicle height remains unchanged.
The eye is also struck by the dark-coloured glass servicing flap on the rear of the bus, alongside the rear window. This provides free access on the left to the components in the engine tower.
The elegantly rounded fascia panel above the rear window underlines the understated, classy look of the Citaro. It too is made of glass.
Lightweight engine compartment flap, LED rear lights
The engine compartment flap and rear lights have also been redesigned. The engine flap is a sandwich structure of two adhesive-bonded die-formed panels. This makes the component lighter, but actually stronger than before.
In terms of the rear lights, the attentive observer will note not only their distinctive shape, but also the power-saving and long-lived LED lamps for the tail lamps, brake lamps and turning indicators. Only the rarely used reversing lamps and rear fog lamps still use incandescent bulbs as before. LED lamps are also used for the high-mounted tail lamps.
Tower-style engine and radiator configuration
Inside the vehicle, the most striking feature at the rear is the engine tower. The tower height varies according to the engine type: horizontally mounted (OM 936h) or vertically mounted (OM 936/OM 470). In all engine variants, the radiator is placed above the engine. Accordingly, the radiator and the engine air inlet are well above the level of upwardly projected dirt and splashes.
Horizontally mounted engines are fitted with a vertical radiator, and vertical engines with a horizontal radiator, to save space. The cooling water surge tank is located on the roof on both cases, again to save space. However, the level gauge for the refill reservoir and filling connections are placed in the engine compartment, for greater ease of maintenance.
Optimum access, effective noise insulation
All components are also easily accessed from the inside, through separately opened maintenance flaps. Noise insulation is boosted with quadruple seals over the maintenance openings, plus a hollow chamber seal arrangement.
The engine tower features a completely new insulation concept, based on a sandwich configuration with dual panels and an inside insulation layer. The elements are adhesively bonded to each other. On the passenger compartment side, this insulation covering has a further plastic layer, which is both pleasant to the touch and easy to clean.
Further increase in corrosion protection and quality
The Mercedes-Benz Citaro has gained an excellent reputation over the years for its outstanding quality, based on meticulous workmanship and also the cataphoretic electrodipping (CET) paint finish. This "e-coat" provides highly effective corrosion protection for the frame structure. Implementation of Euro VI requirements has enabled the developers to further boost the quality of anti-corrosion protection.
For example, the roof panelling now consists of a continuous glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GRP) strip. The strip is supplied in the form of a roll, painted white and given a protective gel coat layer.
The new engines have a combination of clearcoat paint and a wax layer. Further enhancements have also been made in the application of the underfloor protection and the cavity protective coating. Structural design changes mean that deposits of dirt are no longer able to accumulate in the wheel arches of the Citaro. Another anti-corrosion measure is the use of adhesive rather than welded joints in the entrance supports. Even the hinges and locks are given an extra spot waxing coating.
Additional improvements have also been made to components such as the optionally fitted cassette ramp. The ramp housing is now watertight, which reliably prevents corrosion. Servicing procedures have been simplified by reducing the number of structural components and ensuring they are easily accessible. Sensors now operate over the entire length of the ramp, by means of step mats. The front edge is marked with a blinking LED strip.
A comprehensive corrosion test carried out on the new Citaro has successfully confirmed the effectiveness of all these anti-corrosion measures. The test consisted of a salt spray test plus exposure to the effects of heat and moisture, and a poor road and winter trial. The compressed test programme replicated use in tough conditions over a period of 15 years. The results provide ample confirmation of the long-term stamina of the Citaro.
Even safer than before
The Citaro was already recognised as the safety benchmark for regular-service buses, and has now raised the bar even higher. Its new emergency valves are disabled at speeds of more than 5 km/h, and are automatically reset after the opening or closing of the passenger doors.
At the design and production stages, close attention has also been paid to all the measures applied for increased fire safety. These include optimised electrical cable routes with safety in mind, high-grade steel fuel lines, the sandwich construction of the engine tower with internal isolation, and dripping pans under all fluid containers in the engine compartment. A fire alarm in the engine compartment is standard equipment, and can be combined with an automatic fire extinguisher device, also mounted in the engine compartment.
Ever-wider range of vehicles
With the introduction of the new Euro VI engines, Mercedes-Benz will progressively extend the range of new Citaro vehicles with further model variants to create a comprehensive family of urban buses.
During this year, the two-axle 12.1-metre-long rigid bus with two or three doors and the 18.1-metre articulated bus and the corres-ponding overland versions will be joined by the 10.6-metre-long compact Citaro K. Next year will see the arrival of the Citaro LE, in both city and overland versions, 12 and 13 metres long, respectively, and the right-hand drive variants. By autumn 2013, the range will comprise a total of 20 model variants.
The vertically mounted Euro VI-compliant OM 936 and OM 470 engines will be available for the start of series production, and will be followed by the horizontally mounted in-line six-cylinder OM 936h engine in mid-2013.
The new Mercedes-Benz Citaro in detail
The "face" of the Citaro remains a standout feature, with the distinctive A-zero columns at the front. The severe lines normally characteristic of regular-service buses are softened here by the almond-shaped headlamps and especially the round contours of the front end, which seem to greet the passenger with a friendly smile.
The driver station in the Citaro is set 60 mm higher than in the predecessor vehicle, duly reflected in a higher windscreen and destination display. The overall body height remains the same, however, so the A-zero columns segue elegantly into a three-dimensional decorative feature on the side of the roof. At the bottom of the front end is the characteristic rounded bumper.
Wheelbase and front overhang adjustments for Euro VI
The wheelbase and overhangs were already adapted for the transition to Euro VI engines in last year's model change. Among the design priorities were a generously dimensioned driver's station with enhanced collision protection and the requirement to retain all the existing seating configurations in the vehicles with the new Euro VI engines.
Accordingly, the new Citaro as a rigid bus is slightly longer than its predecessor, because of the longer front overhang (by 100 mm) and the extended wheelbase (by 55 mm). And because of the modular construction, these larger dimensions are also carried over into the Citaro G articulated bus.
The bumper is now in three sections for greater ease of repair. Two easily replaced scuffing protectors, placed on the right and left sides in front of the hem section, are fitted to prevent damage in the event of the vehicle coming into contact with the ground because of the longer overhang.
Daytime running lamps and low-beam headlamps, bi-xenon technology
The H7 headlamps of the new Citaro provide strong and efficient illumination of the road ahead. The LED daytime running lamps and LED turning indicators are integrated in the headlamp housing, further contributing to the safety and totally distinctive look of the new Citaro. Bi-xenon lights and fog lamps with integrated cornering light function are available as optional equipment.
Deep side windows
Another striking feature of the new Citaro's appearance is the generously dimensioned side windows. They extend well down the side walls of the vehicle, giving the bus a transparent look. The three-dimensional moulded GRP wheel arches add variety and contrast to the body. The elastic material of the wheel arches prevents damage from minor impacts.
To make repairs easier, the side wall is divided into segments. The aluminium panelling reaches around the hem section at the base of the body structure, creating a smooth, continuous profile and also improving protection against corrosion. If desired, the side panelling can be segmented horizontally to facilitate repairs of minor damage.
Safe, weight-optimised structure
The bodyshell is still based on the proven annular frame technology, but with increased rigidity for better protection of the passengers in the event of a side collision. An outstanding safety feature in the front end is the crash element for optimum safety in a collision situation. Along with the strengthened A-zero columns and a clearly defined frame structure, this means the Citaro is already prepared for the future pendulum impact test according to European regulation ECE R 29.
The bodyshell of the Citaro has been developed to comply with the future ECE R 66/01 regulation, requiring a large survival space inside the vehicle if it overturns. The new regulation does not take effect until 2017, but the new Citaro already fulfils its requirements.
Every detail focused on weight and functionality
Already in the design of the Euro V Citaro, the engineers were looking to create an even stronger and yet lighter bodyshell. The structure is based on a wide range of detailed design measures. A good example is the multidimensional joint between the horizontal and vertical bodyshell elements on the window columns, reminiscent of a sword hilt, which is lighter, but even stronger than before. The same goes for the new castings in the doorframes, which are again stronger than before, in spite of being lighter and with thinner walls.
Bus operators have also noted the electrical system in the new Citaro, in the central electrics compartment behind the driver. The electrical system, based on PCBs, is characterised by its flexibility and extreme reliability. It can easily accommodate additional devices and is very clearly laid out and easily accessible for maintenance purposes. The design successfully eliminates a lot of complex and expensive wiring for the vehicle's electrical equipment.
Practical and attractive interior
The inward opening doors, manufactured in-house, are light, low-maintenance structures, held firmly closed with an almost airtight seal by an optimised rubber seal on the door base. The doors impress with their light weight, strong frame and precise fit. As an equipment option, the front entrance of the Citaro can also be fitted with an exclusive pivot-and-slide door. This structure offers some highly practical features not usually associated with such doors. For example, the two-leaf variant can be fitted at the front, and the two leaves can be operated separately.
Lower, well-lit entrances
The passenger compartment in the new Citaro is one of the vehicle's most inviting and attractive features. The positive impression begins before the passengers board the vehicle, with the entrance and exit areas brightly lit at all doors with a broad band of LED lights.
Then comes the bright, welcoming passenger compartment, with ceiling lamps providing both direct and indirect lighting, thanks to the reflective effect of the roof flaps. As an equipment option, the fluorescent lamps can be replaced with LED lamps.
The new-generation vehicles can also be equipped with light fittings on the side sections of the roof, with LED lights providing resting and reading zones. The clear lighting they provide in the rear section also helps to minimise the risk of damage due to vandalism.
Handrails with advertising, ticker ads and lighting
The upright handholds in the Citaro have the same outwardly curved shape as in the vehicle's predecessor, with their even spacing contributing to the comfortable, uncluttered feel of the passenger space. Straight handholds are used at the front of the vehicle, with a wider interval to open the space up for passengers boarding the vehicle.
The horizontal handrails are in the form of oval extruded aluminium sections. This shape and the larger diameter give them excellent grip. The new shape also allows the integration of light fittings, replaceable ad inserts or even ticker ads. The stop request buttons around the circumference are easily located by all passengers.
Smaller cross duct, new stowage compartments
The cross duct behind the front entrance of the Citaro is flat, providing higher overhead clearance and a more spacious feel.
The luggage racks by the handrails are solid. The optional wheelchair place provides better protection for mobility-impaired passengers in the form of handrails with a wider radius of curvature and a glass parking wall for wheelchairs. Screen prints are placed on the glass partitions to make them easier to see.
Advanced air conditioning for passenger compartment
The continuous mid-section of the ceiling has an unobtrusive design with evenly spaced holes, used for uniform ventilation of the passenger compartment. Like its predecessor, the new Citaro can also be supplied with an optional, highly effective roof duct ventilation system with integrated heating. Heating in the lower area is with side wall radiators, or a convector heating system as a special equipment option.
As a further choice, filling the gap between ventilation and air-conditioning options, the rigid bus version can be fitted with a compact air-conditioning system. This takes the form of separate, independent units positioned over the roof hatches, requiring no ducting except for the power supply.
Passenger seating arrangements unchanged
One of the features retained from the previous model is the proven seating design with cantilever mountings. The seats are manu¬factured in-house. Standard equipment is the City Star Eco seat. In the Citaro Ü, because of the longer travel times, the Inter Star Eco intercity seat is used. Numerous variants of both these seats are available.
Ergonomically optimised driver's workstation
One of the outstanding features of the Citaro is the driver work-station, which sets new standards for user-friendliness, ergonomics, instrumentation and comfort. The door into the driver's cab is hinged at the rear and opens forwards. This ensures fast and direct access from the front door to the driver's workstation and vice versa. Stowage compartments have been optimised by providing a large compartment for the driver's bag and a drinks bottle compartment. The driver workstation partition screen is larger than in the predecessor vehicle, with a wider forward curvature.
Looking passengers in the eye
The driver's pedestal and seat are set 60 mm higher than in the predecessor vehicle, putting the driver on eye level with passengers boarding the bus. The higher seat position also improves visibility, and the driver also benefits from the lower side windowsill.
Elegant instrument panel, practical steering-wheel control pad
The instrument panel meets the requirements of the Association of German Transport Operators (VDV) in terms of construction and adjustability, as does the steering wheel, and also already complies with the recommended specifications for the new European driver's cockpit. The new elegant contours provide more knee room, and the bright colour of the upper part of the panel contributes to the friendly feel of this part of the vehicle. The soft surface is pleasant to the touch, and underpins the general impression of high quality conveyed by the Citaro.
The cockpit contains large, clearly defined round dials for road speed and engine speed. Between the instruments is a colour monitor for a wide range of additional displays. The monitor is operated from a control pad located in the steering wheel.
Logical layout of switches and buttons
The placement of the switches and buttons in the cockpit draws on the latest ergonomics research findings. For example, the bottom right row of controls consists solely of the buttons operating the doors, which are constantly in use. The less frequently used automatic transmission controls are placed in a horizontal row further to the front. The light switches are placed on the left, in a clearly separated position, well to the front.
The redesign process has included a new-look left windowsill, so that the controls located here are now within the driver's immediate reach and view. Here, too, the stowage compartments have been reworked. The driver workstation is now lit with LED lamps.
Efficient cab ventilation
The electrically opened window panel is placed at the front, so the driver can summon up a refreshing flow of cool air when required. There are also two large air vents in the instrument panel.
Behind the large air inlet grille beside and behind the driver's seat, there is space to fit a bulky pollen filter. The air discharge behind the driver's seat delivers a high air flow rate through the cab. The front box for ventilating and heating the driver station provides more uniform demisting of the whole of the electrically heated windscreen.
High-comfort chassis
The Citaro chassis again impresses with its outstanding comfort and active safety, thanks to the front axle with individual wheel suspension. This aspect is even further enhanced in the Citaro. For example, the reworked steering system provides a more effective steering wheel return, which is invaluable during the frequent turning manoeuvres required during the operation of a regular-service bus.
For the first time in a city bus: maximum safety performance with ESP
The new Citaro can also be equipped with the ESP electronic stability program, as the first low-floor city bus to offer this feature. The Mercedes-Benz Citaro is therefore opening a new chapter in safety technology for city buses.
To the extent physically possible, ESP intervenes immediately to stop the vehicle from going into a spin by reducing the engine torque or optimum braking of individual wheels. This is a real boost to active safety, particularly on slippery road surfaces in autumn and winter and during higher-speed travel on intercity routes.
Simple and economical maintenance and repairs
The specifications for the development of the new Citaro also included a noticeable reduction in running costs. This was a tall order, given that its predecessor had already been an outstandingly economical city bus. The engineers focused mainly on the maintenance costs. Accordingly, with the introduction of the new model, the maintenance interval of the automatic transmission and rear axle has been increased from 120,000 km to 180,000 km (although for the articulated version, this depends on the transmission system; with the Voith gearbox, the maintenance interval remains at 120,000 km). Changes at the detailed level have also helped to trim costs: for example, the use of larger filters in the air inlet for ventilating the driver station means a longer maintenance interval for that component.
Significantly less risk of minor damage
Another source of costs is the minor damage typical of the operation of city buses in dense traffic. The designers have also addressed this issue, with bolted – and therefore replaceable – GRP scuffing protectors on the front overhang to protect the hem section from damage when pulling into bus stops, or when pulling out over slopes or embankments. Repair costs are also reduced by flexible corner protectors on the rear bumper and wheel arch, again made of GRP, and the option of horizontally segments side panelling also delivers repair cost savings.
Cost reductions from LED lamps
The numerous LED lamps both inside and outside the new Citaro significantly reduce electricity consumption. They also generally last as long as the bus does, so that tedious and time-consuming tasks such as changing bulbs are largely eliminated altogether during the life cycle of the Citaro.
The capacity of the windscreen washer fluid tank has been increased from 8 to 20 litres, which reduces the need for refills to a minimum.
Top quality, thanks to a graduated development process
The Citaro has benefited from a graduated approach to the implementation of new components. This is exemplified in the decision to fit Euro VI engines only in the second stage of the development operation, in a city bus that was fully ready for operation.
The basis for top quality in the series production of the new Citaro is the use of state-of-the-art development methods such as HiL (hardware in the loop, i.e. automated tests of electronic components) and CAE (computer-aided engineering). Examples of this kind of quality assurance include component strength analyses, the assessment of vehicle vibrations and crash test simulations.
Safety-related components underwent analyses by the FMEA method already in early development phases. Failure mode and effects analysis is used to test for problems before they occur. Engineers carry out innumerable computer-assisted design calculations or components, major assemblies and the vehicle as a whole to ensure design maturity at an early stage in the process. An extensive test programme involving a large team of function testers and a comprehensive stamina programme conducted at a range of European locations with extreme operating conditions were used to validate the development operation.


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David Bentley is hoping for a new chance at Tottenham.
He has spent the last three months on loan at Russian club FC Rostov.
Bentley said: "Villas-Boas is a very good coach with new ideas.
"It's been a difficult four years but that's life and that's football. I'm contracted to Tottenham until the end of the season.
"So I'll go back and see what happens."

subset: commoncrawl


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oh it is so sweet!
Thank you so much Fikihugs
This is such a beautiful and impressive crafts idea that you have shared. The 3D look to the card has given it a distinctive look and made it a perfect choice for any occasion.
I love hearing what you have to say! Please feel free to leave your comments below.


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Orthopaedic Shoe Materials
Orthotic Footwear
Technology in Motion uses our manufacturers own model catalogue which allows you to see and choose the styles that you want. As all of our footwear is custom made to measure, all styles are available in all colours from white to black, gold to silver, red to yellow and leather styles, from smooth patent, natural calf or imprinted grainy or snakeskin leathers.
The sole and heel styles are also totally interchangeable, from build rubbers and EVA to thin or strong leathers. The same goes for internal stiffeners and paddings to accommodate those difficult lumps and bumps which prevent ready made shop shoes from fitting. All of these options allow you and your clinician to specify footwear which exactly matches your needs and gives the shoe technicians information to process the technical specifications easily, without the risk of misinterpretation.
In order to comply with the strictest quality standards, most of the sourced materials, especially upper and lining leather are from European suppliers. We have a very broad assortment available of upper leather, lining leather, sole materials, edges and accessories.
When we see you for assessment, you will be able to choose your style, materials and colours with the expert guidance of your clinician.


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River City Machine 225cc Injector Modification
Let us modify your existing stock injectors into 225cc injectors, capable of supporting 675-725RWHP
This price is based on us modifying your existing stock injectors, we will not build them out of our cores. This also includes the price of a brand new set of 100%/150% nozzles
Each fuel injector is modified, and then tested on our state of the art Hartridge Test Flow Bench. You will receive a certified flow sheet with each injector you purchase from us.
You can opt to have incomplete sets built below, if you need a couple spares, or have a few bad modified injectors already.
***Please note, when replacing injectors in an already existing modified set, you will need to make sure your current injectors have the same injector nozzle size, and that they are built to the same displacement.
***Please Note, 225cc Injectors will require High Pressure Oil System Modifications to full utilize the added displacement of this size injector***


text: Drugmaker's fall makes case for diversification The Montreal-based drug company's stock has lost more than $20 billion in market cap over the past week as a result of claims by Citron Research that the company is using questionable business practices to inflate its revenue. The drama is putting the need for diversification directly in the spotlight. Although Valeant's share price rebounded Friday, it's lost more than 50% of its value since August. Advisors have to be worried about the effect the cratering of its stock price will have on client portfolios. "Health care investments are under pressure right now," said Manulife Securities advisor Monica Weissmann. "But, because I'm looking at healthcare mutual funds and not individual positions, I'm sure this too will pass and healthcare investments will be okay." It's making the case for the use of mutual funds as a way of diversifying away from individual stock picking, according to Weissmann; also, the funds make it easier for smaller clients to gain exposure to this very important sector of the economy. "It does worry me [Valeant situation] but I don't think there's much that can be done," she said. "I hold significant positions in my client portfolios in two Canadian healthcare mutual funds that I happen to think are the best in Canada." The two funds Weissmann uses are the TD Health Sciences Fund, which is managed for TD by T. Rowe Price in the U.S. The other one is Renaissance Global Health Care and it is managed for Renaissance by Wellington Management out of Boston. The TD fund has slightly less than 4% of its $1 billion in AUM invested in Valeant while the Renaissance fund doesn't even have Valeant in its top 10 holdings. The former fund has 145 stocks in its portfolio and the latter slightly more concentrated at 71. In both instances diversification has protected clients on the downside. "I consider them very complementary and usually I buy both for the same portfolio," said Weissmann. SHARE


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Using several different systems from several different suppliers in aftersales departments can lead to issues such as reduced efficiency, falling profitability, problems with software support and a slowdown in the fulfilment of customer expectations.
Monthly bills from different suppliers for their licences and support can quickly mount into potentially large and unnecessary costs, with the burden of reconciling and paying multiple invoices placed with an accounts team. Using one supplier for all of the core aftersales processes, with one login to connect them together, and one support channel and one invoice provides a more efficient and cost-effective solution for dealers.
A connected solution helps to improve productivity and staff engagement, but it also increases staff morale, system use and profitability. It makes training new and existing employees more effective, while at the same time helping to reduce staff turnover, with users feeling more confident in their day-to-day job role because they have a greater understanding of one connected system rather than a mediocre appreciation of multiple disparate systems.
Data from various dealer management systems, the DVLA and DVSA, tyre distributors, and finance and insurance companies can all be connected into one portal. This can help to reduce errors, through seamless transfer of data between systems. This then removes customer blindspots that arise because information – such as addresses, mobile telephone numbers or customer email addresses – held in one system is not updated and, therefore, does not match data held in another.
eDynamix offers dealers a connected aftersales solution; encompassing (and embedded within) the service core process, with the aim of improving productivities, efficiencies and customer retention.
eDynamix Connect provides dealers with all of the core aftersales functions outside of their DMS; service plans, electronic vehicle health check, proactive follow-up, repairs and finance plans, online bookings, MOT cleansing, VIDEO1st, aftersales surveys and automated confirmations and reminders.
Through one portal, dealers can receive centralised, data-rich management reporting using our scheduled push reports, or use our eDynamix Connect app to get an overview of daily, weekly and monthly performance.
Not only do dealers' systems, staff, management and third-party applications become connected, but eDynamix Connect offers multiple online channels to keep customers connected to dealers through the web and smart devices too:
■ Online bookings – giving customers the ability to book their service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
■ Online service plan quote – allowing customers to create a quote for all of their future servicing requirements at their convenience.
■ iVHC online authorisation – letting customers view and authorise work needed on their vehicle, anytime, anywhere.
■ VIDEO1st online media and interactive comments – delivering the excitement of the showroom experience to the customer in the comfort of their own home.
It's time to get connected!


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More than a bank, Silicon Valley Bank Financial Group reinvented the nature of start-up lending in the early days of Silicon Valley's high tech industry. They have been a client of Shoulder High Productions since 1999! We've won many Telly and Aegis Awards together.
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital has asked Shoulder High Productions to produce a video to prepare its young patients for the experience of undergoing an operation. Its a project close to home for us and we're excited to have an opportunity to help these young patients feel more comfortable and relaxed for their visit and operation.
URS Corporation offers a range of professional planning, engineering and architectural design, environmental, construction, and program and construction management services. With an established presence in major cities in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, URS serves the U.S. federal government, state and local government agencies and private-industry clients, including FORTUNE 500 companies worldwide.
We edit on Apple's so we may as well shoot for Apple too. Its always exciting to serve one of the most pioneering Bay Area based companies and we're firmly committed to continuing to the partnership.
There are quite a few companies that trust us to shoot for them while serving Cisco. Its important to us to be serving such an important company respected around the world. From internal corporate communications videos to outward facing videos covering Cisco's annual meetings, we have the skills and the experience to be on the their trusted professionals.
In association with E-llusion Media and Parish Media we have produced New Employee Orientation videos and a series on leadership, We have also had the pleasure of filming with Genentech's new CEO Pascal Soriot.
Shoulder High Productions is a long time fan of San Francisco based singer songwriter Matt Nathanson. Though he's making it big these days with TV appearances on David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel and sold out national tours, we are proud to have been helping Matt get his music out for almost 10 years now! With the release of his last album SHP produced a making of video and a few video for the web. Keep on Rock'n Matt!!!
There's something to say for Clients that turn into great friends and that's just what has happened between SHP and CTV. Convention TV is an amazingly entrepreneurial group from Honolulu Hawaii. CTV first worked with SHP when they flew to San Francisco and needed Everything from Crew, to Production and Post Production Equipment, and even Local 16 status to work within the Moscone Center of San Francisco. We welcomed CTV to San Francisco and provided all these services and they have returned the favor by bringing us on the road with them to other new markets for their unique brand of customized closed circuit television programming for major conventions nation wide. Here's to many years of service and many more years of friendship!
We used the PS Tecknik Pro35 adapter and a set of 35mm Prime Super Speed Lenses to create a great video for McAfee illustrating the benefits of their internet security services for families.
Click the link below and check out the work we've done for Specialized's website. They make the world's greatest bikes and we worked with Parish Media Group to teach anyone who is lucky enough to get one of these bikes how to operate and maintain it properly. We think its pretty nice HD footage! http://www.specialized.com/bc/microsite/suspensionsetup/main.html?x=y
Twice a year the engineers at Brion invite their entire industry to the launch of their new products. It is a night where Shoulder High Productions helps Brion announce and explain its newest technologies. Brion is never satisfied resting on its laurels and we're excited to serve their media needs.
Its showtime when Parish Media call us! We've shot with Parish at Specialized, maker of performance bicycles as as well as created the JumboTron videos for the San Jose Stealth professional lacrosse team of San Jose. We're looking forward to many more creative productions together.
We worked with Parish Media Group again to produce the Jumbotron media for the 2008 San Jose Stealth professional Lacrosse season. Honestly that's the biggest screen our videos have been on and there are 4 of them in the San Jose HP Pavilion. One of our first big projects with our Panasonic HPX500 P2 Camcorder.
Zannel is the service that allows millions of people to see and talk about what's happening now ... using pictures and videos and - yes! - even text. On Zannel you can * See something cool ... like a flying pig ... and snap a quick pix or vid of it. * Post your snaps with a quick caption. Use your mobile or the web. It only takes a nano-second. * Spark thousands of conversations ... On Zannel or across your favorite social networking sites including Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and the blogosphere. Shoulder High Productions filmed for Silicon Valley Bank who was high lighting Zannel as a great new company that they are financing.
When CMD Agency come to town from Portland, Oregon we make sure it isn't raining and that all their needs for their production are taken care of. We hire the crew, scout the location with their producers, and provide them with beautiful imagery to serve their clients with. CMD are true professionals and it's a thrill to serve them and their clients.
Mount Tamalpias Bank hires us to create their website flash animations and telephone call waiting audio tracks. It might seem simple, but we know these two products are often the first interaction their customers have with them. So we take it seriously and have enjoyed the many years of service.
We can actually say we were there when it all started. We filmed for the UFL the press conference where the first four coaches for the new United Football League were announced. Go Team San Francisco!
We were hired to help shoot the Discovery Channel show Time Warp.
Vertigo Software is creating bleeding edge innovations to the world of PC web applications and solutions. Check out the blog we're creating for them on a monthly basis to highlight the innovations they are creating.
Shoulder High Productions produced a television commercial for Matt Nathanson's album Beneath These Fireworks.
When nationally syndicated radio program needed pristine sounds of the jungles of Madagascar, they came to Sustainability Media. We've filmed in many remote locations around the world and always make sure to record wild audio tracks just in case we need to help an audience really feel like they are in a special place and time.


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"Is this right?". Ah, the question all high school English teachers fear hearing, yet we are confronted by it often. I first fell in love with the idea of teaching English in the classroom because I knew that it would be a space for students to challenge themselves and their thinking, become better writers, and understand that there was no such thing as a right air wrong answer as long as they had some proof to back it up. So, as I continue to hear students continue to ask me, "is this right?" as they work on group projects in our 1:1 building, I am seeing first hand that there must be an urgency in teaching our students HOW to learn.
Our culture has a fear of failure. We fear providing the wrong answer because we think that it will show our weakness; however, I can't think of one success story that didn't include a failed attempt or a thousand. Somewhere along the way, it seems that this fear has been passed down to our students, and it's often apparent that if they don't "get it right", then they are considered a failure. WE NEED TO STOP THIS NOW!
Our district has been fortunate enough to provide iPads to every student, and I can't even begin to explain how much it has changed the classroom environment for the better (I'll leave that to another post), but we are certainly in a transitional phase where I'm finding many students to get confused when I tell them that I am no longer the master of the classroom. The device that each of my students posess in their hands has more knowledge and information than ever given before, and our students aren't used to this. Rather than creating inquiry questions that lead to other questions, many of my students still look to me to provide them with the quick answer so that they can go on with their day. These past two months have showed me that new ways of thinking require new ways of teaching students HOW to think and how to become lifelong learners. It is our job, as facilitators in the classroom, to show students how to ask the right questions and to believe that the work that they are doing is on target with learning goals rather than just being "right".
Two years from now, I think that our 1:1 school will be changed for the better and much further ahead of the curve than many, and this transitional stage of going from pencils and books to tablets is already proving to enhance learning, thinking, and discussion in brilliant ways; but as Spider-Man's Aunt (Uncle?) once said, "with great power comes great responsibility," and now is the time to change our culture of fear into a culture of risk takers. Will Richardson recently wrote an article entitled, "Students First, Not Stuff" which discusses the importance of teaching digital literacy to students. That being said, we have an urgent goal to reframe what is being "taught" in our classroom and focusing on "individual passions, inquiry, creation, sharing, patient problem solving, and innovation." (Richardson). However, this can't all be done over night, and having seen 1:1 in action for the past two months, I certainly understand this. But the push to move toward new ways of learning, whether you have tablets or zero technology, couldn't be more urgent than ever. Students need to feel comfortable taking risks and answering their own question as to whether their response/finding is right or wrong. When that happens, life long learning begins!


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Louis I. Kahn Building
This intimate exhibition presents a selection of pastels dating from a three-month period in 1950-51 when Kahn was Architect in Residence at the American Academy in Rome. While there, he had the opportunity to travel and sketch the great historic monuments and public spaces of Italy, Greece, and Egypt. Away from the daily concerns of his architectural practice, his eye and spirit were free to absorb the essence of these places. In pastels that have been acknowledged as the most sublime examples of his drawing, he captured the vivid colors that light and shadow make as they illuminate the ancient sites.
Special thanks to the children of Louis I. Kahn, Sue Ann Kahn, Alexandra Tyng, and Nathaniel Kahn, for generously lending their works for this exhibition.
Louis I. Kahn, Temple of Horus, Edfu, Egypt, 1951, pastel. Collection of Alexandra Tyng


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Who would you rather see, Kelly Osbourne nude or Lady Gaga naked ...
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2017 - 2018 Season
A modern symphony orchestra is a miraculous thing; it transforms marks on a page into sounds that live and breathe with us. With its many moving parts, possibilities always exist to find something new, even in music that is familiar. Our 2017-2018 season will be a journey to discover new sounds together in music that can only be described as timeless. Join us! We cant wait to share it with you. - Gordon Gerrard
Subscription renewals and purchases may be made by calling RSO Box Office at (306)586-9555, or by visiting us at 2424 College Avenue.
View the 2017 - 2018 season brochure here
Our Masterworks Series opens on September 23, 2017 with an evening of exotic wonder featuring a performance with the world's premier solo percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie. The series continues …Learn more
Shumiatcher Pops
You won't be able to stop yourself from feeling the passion behind our Shumiatcher Pops Series this year! The series will opens on October 21, …Learn more
Government House
Played with passion, the six-concert Government House series combines intimate chamber classics with the elegance of Saskatchewan's historic Government House. This season, the Regina Symphony …Learn more
Great-West Life, London Life & Canada Life Kids
The Great-West Life, London Life & Canada Life Kids series will commence with a parade of favourites for kids of all ages during Carnival of …Learn more
RSO Specials
Join us for Regina's favourite holiday tradition, Handel's Messiah, the new smash success A Candlelight Christmas, and the return of the Symphony under the Sky …Learn more
Learn more about our venues, parking and accessible seating. Conexus Arts Centre - 200 Lakeshore Drive Parking: Conexus Arts Centre has easy access from Wascana Parkway and …Learn more
Subscription Information
Become a subscriber and take advantage of great benefits including great saving, free exchange, priority seating and much more! Subscriber Benefits • Savings, savings and more savings! • Free …Learn more
Seating MapsLearn more
Buffy Sainte-Marie & the RSO
Join us on the journey for truth and reconciliation on Treaty 4 land with Piapot's own Buffy Sainte-Marie. The RSO has begun an ongoing partnership with …Learn more
Plan Your Visit
Where should I stay? If you're coming in from out of town to one of our concerts, our amazing partners at the Hotel Saskatchewan, Autograph Collection offer …Learn more


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What Makes Shooting in Lithuania a Touch of Magic?
Magic, Mon, Mar 26, 2018
Lithuania's leading production service company Magic reveals the unique alchemy of shooting in the country
Based in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, Magic has been bringing its creative superpowers to brands such as BMW and Decathlon since its inception in 2... Read more
2017 International Emmy Awards Nominations Announced
ARTBOX, Thu, Sep 28, 2017
There are 44 Nominees across 11 categories and 18 countries
Nominations for the 2017 International Emmy Awards were announced today and Tokyo Trial, partly filmed in Lithuania by ARTBOX, has bee... Read more
Adell Taivas Ogilvy Puts Tele2's 4G Through the Ultimate Speed Test
Some Films, Fri, Dec 16, 2016
Some Films partners with Lithuanian innovation engineers to develop a vehicle control system based on internet speed
To highlight Tele2's 4G coverage in Lithuania, Tele2's Innovation Bureau and Adell Taivas Ogilvy came up with an interesting solution – tour the co... Read more
Little Lithuania Doubles for Five European Countries in Malaysian EURO 2016 Spot
Some Films, Wed, Jul 13, 2016
Some Films help represent Germany, Italy, Spain, France and England for Superwonderful Films' Astro film
5500 miles. That is the distance between Lithuania and Malaysia. So when Some Films got the call from Kuala Lumpur based Superwonderful Films, they... Read more
8 Reasons Lithuania is Europe's Secret Weapon
Some Films, Fri, Feb 26, 2016
A cultural melting pot with skilled crews, budget-friendly… and did we mention those golden hours? Some Films tells LBB why Lithuania is a producer's dream
Lithuania is a country of surprises – but then there's a reason the most southern of Europe's Baltic states was named the Lonely Planet's 3rd best ... Read more


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We're just wrapping up the letter "R" this week and the word laid on my heart is: From the free online dictionary, REDEEMED can mean: 1. To recover ownership of by paying a specified sum. 2. To pay off (a promissory note, for example). 3. To turn in (coupons, for example) and receive something in exchange. 4. To fulfill (a pledge, for example). 5. To convert into cash: redeem stocks. 6. To set free; rescue or ransom. 7. To save from a state of sinfulness and its consequences. 8. To make up for: The low price of the clothes dryer redeems its lack of … [Read more...]
You are here: Home / Archives for redeemed


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The fervor regards to iPhone 7 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 is reaching new extremes and that is why users are in a fix as to which one should be opt for. For Samsung diehards, Galaxy S7 can be the most adorable handset that they would love to have and can be considered as smartphone of the year and that is why, the wait for this amazing handset is like never before.
It would not be an overestimation to say that Galaxy is undoubtedly the most anticipated smartphone of 2016. The insane craze and expectations that have been attached with the smartphone is compelling the authorities to work really hard on this device. So far, the news and rumors regards to this handset is making waves.
As far as the display is concerned, the latest buzz is that Samsung would feature a 4K resolution display and thus spreading excitement among the fans as far as high resolution display is concerned. The spell-binding display would be a treat to enjoy on a 5.7-inch display up front. Although, the QuadHD resolution that will be featuring in this device was also tried in Galaxy S6, still, with Galaxy S7, we are expecting more expected upgrade of display. The brilliant thing about this display is the power-saving that will feature with such 4K display of this size. Let's see what Samsung Galaxy S7 turns out to be.


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iPhone 5S first impressions
The new Apple handset will cost £550 for an early upgrade
Apple provoked the usual excitement on Tuesday when it unveiled its next flagship iPhone 5S handset.
Before the San Francisco iPhone unveiling there were rumours that Apple wouldn't add much new to its next flagship smartphone, but that it would focus mostly on the cheaper but still not particularly affordable iPhone 5C.
However, Apple revealed that the iPhone 5S will be the world's first 64-bit smartphone, having kept this quiet during the buildup to the smartphone's announcement.
We've never had any complaints about the speed and performance of the iPhone 5, which featured a dual-core 1.3GHz A6 chip, but Apple's new A7 chip based on 64-bit architecture might manage to convince gamers to splash out £550 on an early upgrade, as the firm promises that the new chip will offer "PC-quality" gaming capabilities with the iPhone 5S also boasting OpenGL ES 3.0 support. But it's still unclear how much RAM the iPhone 5S features under the hood, so it's impossible to know if users will be able to use this 64-bit technology to its full potential.
Although we have yet to test the iPhone 5S handset's performance, Epic Games' demo of Infinity Blade III for iOS seemed convincing, and it seems that Apple wants to lead a shift from dedicated consoles to mobile gaming.
Apple has also added Touch ID, its new fingerprint scanning technology, to the iPhone 5S, which is another feature that could help convince Apple fans to upgrade.
Fingerprint scanners are nothing new, but Touch ID shows Apple's aim to up its security game. The new feature will enable users to scan their fingerprint and use it to access their phone, offering an extra layer of protection against a potential data breach due to a lost or stolen device. The Touch ID sensor works by scanning the sub-epidermal fingerprint layers the iPhone owner to verify their identity before unlocking. As a safety measure the user's fingerprint is only stored on the A7 chip and is never uploaded to the cloud.
This feature alone won't convince everyone to splash out for an upgrade, but it shows Apple is looking to convince buyers that its device is more secure than its Android competitors – although we're yet to see whether that is actually the case. It also sees Apple trying to tempt businesses away from Windows Phone and Blackberry devices, although many are likely to be put off by the Apple handset's premium price.
The only other big upgrade found on the iPhone 5S is its camera. While it doesn't look like much of a revamp on paper, Apple boasts that it increased the sensor size by 15 percent, which should let more light and colour into images. It also has a dual-LED flash and a number of new photography tools on board, such as automatic image stablisation, burst mode and a new camera user interface in iOS 7 that enables users to add filters to images.
The upgraded camera looks impressive, but with rival phone makers such as Sony, Samsung and Nokia all bringing out smartphones with improved cameras, Apple is likely to face some tough competition when it comes to winning over budding photographers.
Overall, the iPhone 5S is an impressive upgrade, and despite numerous accurate leaks, the firm still managed to surprise at its unveiling on Tuesday. It's this element of surprise that has us excited about the iPhone 5S smartphone, mainly thanks to that 64-bit chip. But we're not sure that its £550 price warrants an early upgrade from the iPhone 5 – unless you really want a gold smartphone, that is.
V3 Latest
Molybdenum ditelluride could enable the creation of faster memories with lower power demands
Molybdenum ditelluride is a two-dimensional material that can be easily stacked into multiple layers to create a memory cell
New light-guiding nanoscale device can control and monitor a nanoparticle trapped in a laser beam with high sensitivity
Optical traps are scientific instruments in which a focused laser beam is used to exert an attractive or repulsive force on a microscopic object to hold it in place
Hubble discovers a rare exoplanet evaporating at a rate faster than ever seen before
Scientists estimate that the exoplanet has already lost up to 35 per cent of its mass over its lifetime
Astronomers spot a young star forming in a similar way to how planets are born
The observations were made using the Atacama Array in the Chilean desert


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Facebook has updated its app for Android TV, but with a twist.
While you won't see a dedicated Android TV version of the app itself, you will find a slick Facebook Video player built for your big screen. Once installed and logged in (you'll need your phone handy for the login part), you can check out suggested videos by topic, live videos, games, and your own videos. You can also search to find something worth watching using your TV remote.
Getting the app is easy. Fire up the Google Play Store on your Android TV and install the Facebook app. You can search for it or find it at the top of the "Top Free Apps" list. Google Play knows you're using an Android TV device so it automatically sends you the Facebook Video app.
If you don't see Facebook for your TV right away, don't worry. Google Play can take a day or two to have an update available for everyone and you might not have it just yet. We also have no word on when (if ever) to expect an optimized Facebook timeline app for Android TV. For now, this will have to do.


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Oil and gas exploration company Cuadrilla has asked Lancashire County Council to postpone the decision regarding its fracking application, expected next week.
The move comes days after the Council's development control committee recommended rejection of the application due to concerns over excessive noise and traffic disruption.
Cuadrilla reacted by submitting further information regarding measures to mitigate the noise and traffic concerns and requests the council to postpone the decision in order to allow the officers to properly consider the new facts.
Cuadrilla is seeking permission to experimentally extract shale gas by hydraulic fracturing at two sites in Lancashire. The two projects, in Preston New Road near Little Plumpton, and Roseacre Wood, near Roseacre, foresee 24-hour operations and would run for months.
The council's planning officers expressed concern the activity would affect surrounding neighbourhoods, especially as it would lead to a "significant increase in night-time background noise levels".
The committee's report further said increased traffic at the Roseacre Wood site would affect rural roads and reduce road safety.
Cuadrilla said in a statement that they are seeking to lessen the impact of their proposed operations.
"The detail of this additional mitigation requires proper consultation and planning regulations clearly require this," the firm said. "We have therefore also requested a deferral in the determination of our planning applications to allow for this to consultation to take place."
To deal with the noise issue at Preston New Road, the company has committed to a further sound barrier around the major parts of the drilling rig and extra shielding around individual components of the kit.
Cuadrilla said it had been committed to achieving a night-time noise limit of 42 decibels (dB), and had not previously been informed that this would be too high.
But the new measures would bring noise at the nearest home to no higher than 39dB, which the company said was "less than the sound of a refrigerator humming from two metres".
The company also said it had proposed additional measures to reduce noise from a maximum of 40dB at Roseacre Wood, to 37dB.
Cuadrilla has agreed in principle with the Ministry of Defence to route all its HGV traffic through the RAF Inskip site, to stop it going through local villages of Wharles or Roseacre, and remained committed to a maximum of 25 HGVs a day during peak periods.


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They go upstairs to do battle with the beholder, only to discover that he's also undead. Jack is turned to stone early in the fight, leaving the rest of the party to battle the aberrations without him. They pull it out with style, then search the city for a ritual to deal with Jack's condition. The paladin restored, the complete the deal with the mindflayer bartender, and leave Ooltul.
They enter a bony forest and decide to throw down with the denizens of an ancient cemetery. They win, but there is no sign of the secondary treasure shown on Tegalad's map.


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I'm not a person who is known for 'friends' [minus Jo and a few other crazies]. I'm kind of a loner, and I designed it like that myself. I consistently put myself into a 'pity party' thinking, "No one wants me, I'm a ginger, etc…"
Frankly, do you know what that does to the Church and the people you're around?
It's toxic.
It can cause many to not even want to be involved with the idea of Church.
Enter Darco.
…you know how much I love switching names to protect people on this site from my own insanity…
This individual was met over a hot cup of coffee [Iced Caramel Macchiato]. Darco is a barista at Starbucks [such a bad 'blessing' for me], and through the past several months of myself being back in the area, has consistently attempted to drive me insane three shots [get it?] away.
Finally I got to just talk to this individual, trying to find out about them, what their story was; and frankly…it was kind of sad…
Naturally, I'd let them share the story, but I will say this month:
- No father figure
- Working over 40 hours, college full time, paying literally all the bills in the house…just to make it…
- The list goes on…but that's Darco's story…not mine to tell…
It's heartbreaking.
Darco was the individual that nearly caused me to go insane in Maryland, trying to get back. They're the individual that after not being in church since they were seven, leaned over to me and said, "I think he is talking to me."
This is the same person who admitted that they've lived a question lifestyle for the past few years is the same person that ensures that we're going to MoVal together each Sunday. It's becoming an addiction.
Best quote…so far…
I keep watching videos from MoVal. What are you doing to me?
I dare not take credit for doing anything to them.
Darco is kind of a nice package all wrapped up together [minus the bow]; I get my coffee fix, we played soccer yesterday, they're all about getting into shape, being healthy, etc…, and it's amazing…no that isn't right…AMAZING…to watch God mold them and craft them into a wonderful individual.
As I informed them a few nights ago, they've assisted unknowingly in me coming out of retirement.
I remember slapping kids with Bible's, telling my cousin he was going to hell because he was Catholic [true story, not truth], I was crazed and wreck-less, but I loved God.
I gave up.
Not because I said that there wasn't anyone out there to work with, I just gave up because I got lazy. Frankly, when I got married; I got very lazy. Physically, spiritually, everything that required thought; I failed because I refused to try. Hence the destruction of my spiritual life, marriage, and time on this earth [dramatic pause].
Watching Darco grow so quickly, rapidly, recognize it and want to learn more;
I know I'm a slow learner, but I'm willing and eager.
That's all anyone should ever need to hear to drop them to their knees with some praise.
Darco will be joining me down to Dallas this upcoming weekend; heaven only knows what that will result in [aside from Starbucks discount].
Fun Fact: This is the same kid who told me to go to the store one night and surprised me with a pound of coffee and mobile French Press


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Getting Social
March 28, 2017
#9 What Is Innovation in Social Media and Technology?
Getting Social #9
Moira Hoban Edwards // CEO // Ellipsis Partners LLC
Association execs are developing new ways to connect to their members, but what does innovation have to do with it? Does a private social network count as innovation these days?
Hear about the connection between tech innovation and member value that some association execs may not understand. We explore the madness that is "innovation."


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