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For now, the Volkswagen CrossBlue remains a concept. Regardless of a very public show of intention from VW to place the new SUV into production, no one is ready to confirm it will be built. Not officially, anyway.
It will likely be built, though, in two locations: Shanghai, China and Chattanooga, Tenn. Volkswagen's plan to leapfrog Toyota and General Motors to become the world's largest car maker by the end of the decade is very much dependent on the success of the big seven-seater, which has been conceived to slot into its lineup between the Tiguan and Touareg.
So, while Volkswagen still prefers to refer to the CrossBlue as a concept some nine months after it made its public premiere at the Detroit auto show and was subsequently presented in more sporting guise as the CrossBlue Coupe at the more recent Shanghai motor show, it should be considered a future showroom certainty.
Be prepared to wait, though. A production version of the CrossBlue isn't set to begin rolling from a Volkswagen factory until 2015 at the very earliest, but with China and the U.S. deemed the most important markets for the new SUV, we'll be among the first to see it.
Today, though, we get to see what prospective buyers can expect from the CrossBlue with a drive of the very same concept that raised eyebrows in Detroit back in January.
More than just a static show car, the CrossBlue has been constructed as a fully operational prototype, complete with a diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain and lithium-ion battery pack for propulsion. Yet despite the extensive engineering work that has gone into it, the concept isn't quite road legal; we're driving it on an airstrip an hour or so north of Frankfurt, Germany. They're not the surroundings Volkswagen likely had in mind when it conceived its new SUV, but the broad expanse of pavement provides the perfect opportunity to maneuver the CrossBlue around without drawing too much attention from inquisitive onlookers, or the German police for that matter.
Apart from a few detailed features -- headlamp graphics, exterior mirror housings and tail lamp design -- the CrossBlue concept looks ready for production. The first thing that hits you as you approach it is its size. It is big -- by Volkswagen's passenger car standards, at least: 196.3 inches in length, 79.3 inches in width and 68.2 inches in height. It is also larger and lower than the second-generation Touareg, which will grow appreciably in its next iteration to make way for its more affordable sibling.
The CrossBlue rides on a lengthened and widened version of the steel structure set to be used beneath the smaller second-generation Tiguan due in 2015. This is significant because the underpinnings are part of Volkswagen's MQB family of structures. Unlike the larger Touareg that uses longitudinally mounted six- and eight cylinder engines, the new SUV is set to receive transversely mounted four- and six-cylinder drivetrains in a move aimed at lowering production costs and providing the scope for what Volkswagen describes as class-leading interior accommodations.
Volkswagen has given the CrossBlue a clean, functional look that appears aimed as much at the blue collar set as high-rolling banker types. In keeping with its latest generation of models, the exterior is conspicuously unadorned with a simple horizontal grille, taut surfacing, fine bodyside crease lines and ultra-tight shut lines. The upright design helps provide exceptional practicality with large door apertures along with a wide tailgate that opens at bumper level providing excellent access.
The best aspect, though, is the way it sits on the road. With track widths that extend by a respective 4.6 inches and 5.0 inches beyond those of the current Tiguan front and rear, and large wheelhouses that allow 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 285/45 tires all around, Wolfsburg, Germany's new SUV boasts a particularly confident stance. But with only moderate ride height, it is clearly not intended to venture too far off the asphalt despite the inclusion of four-wheel drive.
Step up into the concept and you behold an appealing and sumptuous interior with lots of leather, black piano finish fascias, glass inlays, shiny metal highlights and genuine wood veneer. It's immediately inviting and, important given the target market, tremendously roomy.
The design and layout of the high-mounted dashboard is characteristically clean and orderly, with a large touchscreen monitor high up in the line of sight, and a collection of oversized dials. It is accompanied by a wide center console that runs down the center of the cabin, housing a broad but stubby gear lever, an electronic parking brake control, and generous cup holders.
Ahead of the driver is a flat-bottom, multifunction steering wheel along with a contemporary instrument binnacle with two main dials that glow either red or blue depending on the driving mode. Befitting a brand seeking to become the world's largest car maker, it all looks thoroughly modern and possible to re-create on a large scale.
We're not sure yet just how much of the concept interior will be reflected on the production version of the new Volkswagen or whether the luxurious feel will be retained once the bean counters inevitably have their say in things, but the elevated position of the driver's seat provides a commanding view of the road, while overall visibility is excellent, thanks to a large expanse of glass.
From up front, the new Volkswagen actually feels smaller than its external dimensions suggest. The relationship between the seat, pedals, steering wheel and gear lever are flawless; the operation of the various controls is extremely logical; comfort is also high on the list of positives, thanks in part to the overall excellence of the seat design and generous all-around accommodations - all of which suggest a good deal of work has already been expended perfecting the interior of Volkswagen's future mid-range SUV. It is, without doubt, the CrossBlue's strongest attribute.
It gets better further back, where the CrossBlue possesses a clever combination of rear seating arrangements with individual seating for up to seven in a two-three-two configuration. The second row of seats provide sufficient leg- and headroom to make it feel truly commodious from the middle pews, while access to the third row is eased by a longitudinal sliding mechanism for the second row.
Luggage capacity is put at 11.8 cu ft, rising to 28.6 cu ft with the third row of seats folded, giving it a whopping 12.1 cu ft more than the Tiguan and 8.2 cu ft more than the Touareg in five-seat guise. And with the second row of seats are folded, there's nearly 70.6 cu ft on offer. The length of the load area varies between 23.6 inches and 87.8 inches, with 122.4 inches available when the front passenger seat is folded. As Volkswagen suggests, there's enough space behind the front seats to fit a mattress. Modern day Microbus, anyone?
The CrossBlue's plug-in diesel-electric hybrid driveline, which provides a taste of what's likely to be one of a number of driveline options, whirs for a couple seconds as the electric systems are primed before settling in silence as we hit the starter button. The instruments dazzle, first turning a shade of red then bright blue, indicating that hybrid mode has been activated.
First impressions? The unusual-looking gearlever feels good in the hand but it needs some persuading with a firm shove before unlocking out of neutral and into drive for the first time. As we pull away, it is apparent that the throttle possesses a firmer feel than is really necessary. The steering, an electro-mechanical system shared with the Tiguan, is also overly light and very artificial in feel. Still, this is a concept created using prototyping methods, so you shouldn't read too much into the way it drives. With a two-year development phase ahead of it, the production version of the CrossBlue promises to be sorted by the time it reaches showrooms.
With the top speed of the concept limited to 24 mph in the interests of mechanical preservation, acceleration is halted just as it gets into stride, which is disappointing because the one and only road-going CrossBlue in existence right now feels as though it could double, triple or even quadruple that speed without any problem.
Power comes from a transversely mounted 2.0-liter four-cylinder common rail diesel engine that develops 138 hp. It is supported by two brushless electric motors -- one up front next to the combustion engine producing 40kW and the other mounted at the rear with 85kW. Together, the three power sources provide a combined 302 hp, or 26 hp more than the longitudinally mounted naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine found in the entry-level Touareg. Electric energy for the motors is supplied by a 9.8kWh lithium-ion battery mounted within the floor of the cargo area.
On low-speed runs up and down the airstrip behind the camera car, the hybrid system seamlessly switched from all-electric to diesel-electric propulsion, at which point the engine fires with a faint but never intrusive growl. Backing off sends the CrossBlue into coasting mode, with the engine disengaged from the drive process to lower mechanical drag.
For a concept, the overall cohesiveness inherent in the driveline is impressive; if not quite up to production standards, it's not far off. The crisp action of the six-speed, dual-clutch gearbox's shift action is also notable. The brakes are a little overboosted in the initial degrees of pedal travel, but they're manageable.
Volkswagen's computer simulations indicate a 0-60 mph time of 7.2 seconds, thanks in part to combined torque from the diesel engine and two electric motors of 516 lb-ft under hard acceleration. Top speed is put at 127 mph, and the diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain offers zero-emission propulsion at the push of a button, with claims of a 14-mile all-electric range on a full battery charge at speeds up to 75 mph. Combined cycle fuel consumption is claimed to be 89 mpg(e) on the EPA standard fuel economy equivalent test for hybrid vehicles in hybrid mode and 35 mpg in diesel mode.
With global SUV sales on an ever-steeper trajectory and predictions it will continue that way in the foreseeable future, it is hard to see where Volkswagen can go wrong with the CrossBlue.
If the upcoming production version, the name of which remains a closely guarded secret, is anywhere near as convincing as the concept in overall execution, success is assured. It is going to be a late starter in a particularly hard-fought market segment but based on what we've seen so far, it will have the potential to take established class favorites to the woodshed on a number of levels.
Pricing will be crucial, of course. There is already talk that the base version will slot into the German car maker's lineup somewhere between the next year's second-generation Tiguan and the third iteration of the more rugged Touareg, somewhere around $32,000 in the U.S.


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Should I Hire an 18-Wheeler Lawyer Even if I am Partially at Fault?
1096 Reviews
Any automobile accident can be frustrating. However, some automobile accidents can be worse than others. For instance, an automobile accident involving a passenger vehicle and an 18 wheeler would likely be worse than an automobile accident involving just two passenger vehicles. If you were involved in an automobile accident with an 18 wheeler, you may have suffered serious injuries and you may wish to seek compensation for your injuries. However, what do you do if you were partially responsible for the accident?
If you or your loved one has been involved in an accident with an 18 wheeler and was partially at fault for the accident, you may still be entitled to compensation. Call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers.
How Partial Fault Can Affect Your Case
Texas uses what is called the modified comparative fault rule. In automobile accident claims, the modified comparative fault rule states that an individual involved in an automobile accident can only expect to seek payment from the negligent driver or by his or her insurance company if the negligent driver was at least 51% responsible for the accident.
Three possible scenarios exist under this rule. If you are found 51% or more responsible for the accident, then you may not be able to seek compensation. If you are found not at all responsible for the accident, then you may seek the full compensation awarded by the jury or the court. If you are found 50% or less at fault, then the compensation you are awarded may be reduced by the percentage of the fault you had.
In a truck accident case involving an 18 wheeler and a passenger vehicle, it is possible that the truck driver was not completely at fault for the accident. Certainly, the truck driver could have been asleep at the wheel or was speeding, but this does not mean that the truck driver was completely at fault for the accident.
The other driver may have also been partially responsible for the accident if he or she was texting while driving or engaging in other behaviors that led him or her to drive distractedly. In such cases, the jury will look to see how much of the accident was caused by the driver of the passenger vehicle and compare the driver's fault with that of the truck driver.
Is It Still Worth Pursuing a Claim?
Texas's modified comparative rule does not mean that if you were partially at fault for an accident, you are completely ineligible for compensation. Even if you were partially responsible for the accident, there are many factors that could show that you were not 51% or more at fault. For instance, even if you were driving distractedly, if the truck driver was driving recklessly and dangerously, an experienced lawyer may still be able to seek compensation for you by showing that the truck driver's reckless driving was what predominately caused the accident.
How Liability Is Determined
To have a successful negligence claim against a driver, you must show the following:
You need to first show that the truck driver owed you a duty. Though truck drivers have many duties, they have a fundamental duty to not engage in reckless driving.
Breach of Duty
A breach of duty simply means that the truck driver violated a duty owed to you. For instance, the truck driver owes you a duty to not engage in reckless driving but decides to speed and change lanes arbitrarily. This kind of behavior would be a breach of duty.
To satisfy this prong of negligence, you must suffer an injury on your person or your property.
Proximate Cause
To show proximate cause, you must be able to prove that the breach of duty caused your injury. So using the example given above, you would have to prove that the accident that led to your injury occurred because the truck driver was speeding and changing lanes arbitrarily.
How to File a Claim?
1. Call a Truck Accident Lawyer
Deciding to file a truck accident lawsuit on your own can be a daunting task. Because a truck accident involves not only the drivers but also the trucking company as well, the litigation can become extremely complex. If you were partially at fault, that complicates a case even further.
An experienced lawyer can guide and assist you in the process. In truck accident claims where the plaintiff was partially at fault for the accident, an experienced lawyer will likely mitigate the fault of the plaintiff by focusing on the truck driver's reckless driving or other factors that might show that the plaintiff was less than 51% at fault for the accident.
2. Investigation
In the investigative stage, your lawyer will collect all of the relevant documents and evidence necessary to file a claim. These include medical bills, witness statements, official reports, employment reports, etc.
However, to make your lawyer's job a bit easier, make sure to always document and retrieve evidence from the scene of the accident. Get the name, address, license number, plate number, and insurance information from all the drivers involved in the accident. Because a truck driver likely works for an employer, you should obtain the name and contact information of the trucker's company.
Witness testimony is often key in automobile accident cases. If there were witnesses to the accident, you should also get the names and contact information of the witnesses. If any of the witnesses took photographs or video recordings of the accident, ask them for copies. If you yourself have a camera at the scene of the accident, take some photographs of the scene.
3. Case Settlement
There will generally be a discussion for settlement before any lawsuit is actually filed. Once the insurance company sends you an offer, be sure to discuss the offer with your lawyer. Do not simply accept the offer as your lawyer may able to negotiate with the insurance company to get a better offer.
Time Limits
In Texas, any civil action for a personal injury must be filed within two years from when the injury occurred. In other words, if you were involved in a car accident, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim.
It is important to speak with an attorney to understand more about the legal time limits pertaining to your case because, in some cases, you may be able to file a claim even after the time limit has expired.
Who Can I Sue?
The Driver
As the person most directly involved in the accident, a claim against the driver is always permissible.
The Trucking Company
In general, you are allowed to sue the employer of the employee as long as the employee was performing his or her work-related duties at the time of the accident.
For instance, if a truck driver causes an accident while moving cargo from point A to point B, then you are likely able to sue the employer because the truck driver was doing work for his employer. However, if the truck driver was not moving cargo but instead taking the truck for personal reasons, then you are unlikely going to be able to sue the employer because the truck driver was not performing any work for the employer.
You are sometimes able to sue the trucking company if you can show that the company failed to perform routine maintenance on the truck involved in the accident. No matter how safe a driver is, if he or she or she is driving a faulty truck, that truck becomes a road hazard. A break or suspension failure is all that is needed to cause massive damage on the road.
The Manufacturer
The truck manufacturer may also be sued if you can show that there were defects in the truck and the manufacturer was responsible for those defects.
Common Trucking Accident Injuries
Below is a list of common truck accident claims:
- Improperly loaded truck accident
- Commercial truck accident
- Semi-truck accident
- Speeding truck accident
- Negligent hiring of truck driver
Compensation is provided for economic losses and non-economic losses.
Economic losses include the following:
- past and future medical bills
- past and future lost wages
- damaged property
- past and future loss of earning capacity
Non-economic losses include the following:
- past and future emotional anguish
- pain
- loss of enjoyment of activities
Recall that Texas courts use what is called a modified comparative fault rule when it determines how much compensation a victim may seek. This rule states that if an injured victim was 51% or more at fault for an accident, then he or she cannot seek compensation.
However, if the victim is found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident, his or her compensation may be reduced by the percentage of fault. For instance, if the jury awarded you $100,000 in compensation but also found that you were 50% at fault, then the actual amount of compensation you will seek may be $50,000.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, the truck injury attorneys at Zinda Law Group have the knowledge and resources to help you pursue maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. Call us today at 888-309-6676 to receive a free legal consultation from one of our truck accident lawyers.
*Meetings with attorneys by appointment only*

subset: commoncrawl


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Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia will be ending their trans-Tasman partnership as of October 28, 2018, when regulatory approval for the strategic alliance is set to expire.
The decision was made as a result of changes to the market dynamics on trans-Tasman services that now favour each airline focusing on its own objectives, according to Air New Zealand's chief revenue officer, Cam Wallace.
"Australia is the largest source of inbound visitors to New Zealand and Air New Zealand has built up a significant presence in this market," said Wallace.
"This move will enable us to deliver a more consistent customer experience by using our own fleet and delivering an improved schedule, which we'll provide more details about shortly."
Wallace added that the airline remains "fully committed" to its other alliance relationships and that its overall global airline alliance strategy remained a "critical success factor" in different markets.
Travellers with bookings on either airline that have been arranged through the other carrier will remain unaffected by the change up until October 27, and customers with bookings from October 28 onwards will be contacted by their booking airline.
The two carriers began their strategic alliance at the end of 2010, aimed at partnering on services between Australia and New Zealand. However the relationship has frayed over the past few years, perhaps most notably with Air New Zealand's sale of its 19.9 per cent stake in Virgin Australia back in June, 2016.
Currently, the alliance enables travellers to earn miles and status points, and redeem award tickets on trans-Tasman flights operated by either carrier, provided they have both an Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia flight number.
Top-tier members of Air New Zealand's Airpoints and Virgin Australia's Velocity frequent-flyer programmes are also able to gain select lounge access on domestic Virgin Australia flights and trans-Tasman Air New Zealand flights.


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Automobiles are banned in Venice so every form of transportation floats, making the trek from one sight to another even more enticing. But there's plenty to see on foot also and tourists are encouraged to wander a little from the crowded streets of the town and explore the back alleys, which truly give tourists a taste of the local color. So the fact that there are no cars makes a trip to Venice unique.
Besides riding a gondola or the vaporetti, Venice's version of a taxi on water, there are plenty of must-dos while in the city on The Grand Canal.
- Basilica di San Marco (The Golden Church) – Byzantine in style, this cathedral was built mostly during the 11th century in honor of St. Mark, Venice's patron saint. The huge interior is gilded with Byzantine mosaics that cover nearly every inch of the walls and ceiling. Don't miss the church's greatest treasure, the stunning altarpiece known as the Pala d'Oro (Golden Altarpiece). This Gothic masterpiece is encrusted with nearly 2,000 precious gems and 255 enameled panels. It is believed to have been created as early as the 10th century, and embellished by master Venetian and Byzantine artisans between the 12th and 14th centuries.
- Galleria dell'Accademia – So many treasures of Venetian painting are housed in this museum that the true art lover will find a journey through its rooms to be absolutely awe-inspiring. Though there isn't one particular "famous" piece in this gallery, all the Venetian painters are highlighted, including Bellini, Tintoretto, Titian, Longhi, and Piazzetta. A must see of your trip to Venice!
- Palazzo Ducale and Ponte dei Sospiri (Ducal Palace and Bridge of Sighs) – The long time residence of the Doges (dukes that were elected for life) during their 1000 year reign, The Palazzo Ducale is literally a palace of treasures, with rooms decorated by the finest Venetian artists. This pink and white-marble Gothic-Renaissance palace is one of Italy's greatest and most visited civic structures. Make sure to visit the Bridge of Sighs, accessed from the Great Council Hall, and connecting the palace to the prison. The bridge was so named by European poets who imagined prisoners sighing their last breath of resignation there before being led to the prison, where they would most surely be executed.
- The Peggy Guggenheim Collection – Assembled by American expatriate Peggy Guggenheim, this museum houses one of the best collections of modern art worldwide. The collection focuses especially on Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, Surrealism, and European Abstraction. The 18th century palace used for this gallery is located directly on the Grand Canal and visitors will enjoy the works of such modern artists as Picasso, Ernst, and Pollock. Art buffs flock here on their trip to Venice, and so should you.


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Anime Spotlight: Natsume Yujin-cho 4by Justin Sevakis,
Natsume Takashi is a boy who has been able to see spirits since he was little. Once his grandmother, Reiko, gave him the "Yujin-cho"(friend list), a notebook that recorded the names of all the spirits in her service, his days were always haunted by them.
Now, Natsume has decided to return those names to the spirits they belong to together with his self-proclaimed bodyguard, Nyanko Sensei. As he encounters a variety of spirits, he comes to learn about them as well. Encounters and farewells with spirits pass together with the thoughts and feelings of many kind people, and before he knows it Natsume finds something precious to hold in his heart.
Natsume Takashi
VA: Hiroshi Kamiya
Takashi is Reiko's grandson, and posses an extraordinary spiritual power. He grew up without his parents, and he was passed around from relative to relative, due to his power. He's often chased by spirits who mistake him for Reiko.
Nyanko Sensei/Madara
VA: Kazuhiko Inoue
Originally a spirit with an elegant appearance (a Madara), he was sealed into a Beckoning Cat, and has grown accustomed to his new form. Natsume has promised to leave him the Yuujin-cho when he dies, and he lives with him as his bodyguard and pet cat.
Natsume Reiko
VA: Sanae Kobayashi
Takashi's grandmother. Apparently she died young, but the details are unclear. Her beautiful looks and spiritual power drew the attention of the spirits, but many humans hated her. She gathered the names of the spirits and created the Yujin-cho.
Natori Shuichi
VA: Akira Ishida
Natori is a famous actor who can see spirits like Natsume. He has a spirit shaped like a lizard on his skin that moves around. He was born to an old family of exorcists and he continues to serve as one as well.
Tanuma Kaname
VA: Kazuma Horie
He's a temple son who lives in Yatsuhara, and one of Takashi's classmates. Though his isn't as strong as Takashi's, he also has the power to sense spirits. He was the first friend Takashi was able to truly make a connection with.
Sasada Jun
VA: Miyuki Sawashiro
One of Takashi's classmates. She suspects that Takashi is capable of seeing spirits and often tries to accompany him somehow.
Tohru Taki
VA: Rina Satou
By drawing a magic circle her grandfather taught her, she's able to see spirits who enter it. She was once cursed by a spirit for seeing it, but Natsume helped her and ever since she's been one of the few who understand his secret. She's a fan of Nyanko Sensei.
Kitamoto Atsushi
VA: Hisayoshi Suganuma
One of Takashi's classmates. He's an important friend of Takashi's, one of his normal friends who doesn't know about him and the spirits.
Nishimura Satoru
VA: Ryohei Kimura
One of Takashi's classmates. Like Kitamoto, he's one of Takashi's important friends. He follows trends and seems to be interested in Taki.
Fujiwara Shigeru & Touko
VA: Eiji Itou & Miki Itou
A kind couple who adopted Takashi. They both kindly watch over him, even though he keeps his distance.
Matoba Seiji
VA: Junichi Suwabe
The head of the Matoba Clan of exorcists. Though he usually speaks calmly with a smile, he carries a dangerous air about him. He is ruthless towards both humans and spirits, and will not hesitate to sacrifice even his own warriors. He holds a keen interest in Takashi and his strong spiritual power.
- Natsume Takashi
- Hiroshi Kamiya
- Nyanko Sensei
- Kazuhiko Inoue
- Natsume Reiko
- Sanae Kobayashi
- Natori Shuichi
- Akira Ishida
- Tanuma Kaname
- Kazuma Horie
- Nishimura Satoru
- Ryohei Kimura
- Kitamoto Atsushi
- Hisayoshi Suganuma
- Matoba Seiji
- Junichi Suwabe
- Original Creator
- Yuki Midorikawa
- Director
- Takahiro Omori
- Series Composition
- Sadayuki Murai
- Character Design
- Akira Takata
- Monster Design
- Tatsuo Yamada
- Art Director
- Yukihiro Shibutani
- Color Setting
- Hiromi Miyawaki
- Director of Photography
- Hitoshi Tamura
- Editing
- Kazuhiko Seki
- Music
- Makoto Yoshimori
- Animation Production
- Brains Base
- Production
- Production
- Natsume Yujin-cho Project
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Adamtine is the second of Hannah Berry's moody noirish graphic novels after Britten and Brülightly. Whereas the first novel was a noir crime effort with a wry sense of humor (the detective's partner is a tea bag), it is not clear to me whether Adamtine is a crime or a horror novel.
Four people who know something about an earlier series of disappearances are traveling home on a train when it stops in the middle of nowhere. At the time of the earlier crimes, a man named Rodney Moon was put on trial, but he claimed to have only passed notes to the victims. There are hints of the involvement of a large corporation.
The story is told with flashbacks to the previous crimes, although it was difficult for me to tell sometimes which scenes are those from the past and which are from the present. It was also unclear to me what exactly happens to the people, but perhaps the atmosphere created is of most importance.
The art is beautiful, with its muted, moody tones. I think this graphic novel is visually interesting and intriguing, but I find it difficult at times to completely understand the parts of the narrative that are told only in pictures.


text: Recently I bought a new laptop (on Windows) and WiFi was working. I installed Elementary OS Hera and installed all the drivers. But Linux iwlwifi driver does not working and I didn't found my WiFi card in the list of supported WiFi cards. My WiFi card on Windows works with WLAN Intel v220.127.116.11 (Download links: 1 2). It would be great if support will be added.


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Celebration Season is in Full Swing!
While you're baking treats to mark graduations and the start of summer, don't forget to shine a special light on dads. Now more than ever, dads are staying strong for families, helping everyone get through day-to-day challenges. Let your customers know that you're here to help them celebrate Father's Day with unique recipes, gift ideas, and social media shout outs that will tell dad just how special he is.
Donuts Dad will Love
Pairings that Pack a Punch
If you're baking donuts for dad, why not pair them with something that will make his day extra special? Consider pairings baskets that match your donuts with beers, bourbons, coffees, artisanal sodas or other drinks. You can also work with other local businesses to create gift baskets that bring together products from various retailers so that customers have a one-stop shop for everything dads want.
Spread Smiles with a Bakery Gram
Just like the singing telegrams that may come to mind, consider developing a bakery gram program for your business where outgoing, performance-minded team members deliver baked goods to your customers with a song and a smile. It's a way to take dad's day up a notch and still practice social distancing. Customers can order their baked goods and their song online or over the phone, and then sit back and wait for dad to love it when their custom-made performance arrives.
Kits that Help Kids Create
Take home kits have been very popular recently. If your bakery hasn't jumped on the kit bandwagon, do it for Father's Day. Market donut or bake at home cookie kits that families can take home to bake and decorate. It gives children the chance to be creative for dad and show their love – suggest shaping cookie dough into the letters D A D before baking – the ideas are endless. It also gives you an opportunity to sell more baked goods in one transaction. Kits make great sense every day, but even more so for Father's Day.
Share the Love
Social media has more attention now than ever with families staying home and going online for inspiration. Be sure to develop a social media program for Father's Day where customers can share pictures of dad with custom hashtags, post the things they love most about their fathers, and answer questions about dads, like their favorite hobbies, treats, and travel memories. The sky is the limit. And be sure to share what you're doing for Father's day, like extended hours, specials, unique flavors and whatever else you may be doing this time of year.
Dawn Foods has created toolkits to help you celebrate Father's Day with inspired recipes, social media assets, and other point of sale assets. To download, just visit https://www.dawnfoods.com/allthingscake


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Artist: Bud Bullivant
Size: 11" x 2" x 5" (may vary)
Driftwood will vary. Each fish sculpture is handmade using 16 gauge steel wire and will develop a rust patina if it gets wet. If you prefer to protect your piece from rust, a light coating of clear acrylic spray varnish may be applied. The driftwood base and dimensions will vary slightly from the image shown. If you wish to view the actual piece you will receive, email us and we will send you a picture.
Trout Wire Sculpture


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You say tomato, I say tom-ah-to! This ubiquitoes ingredient in dishes ranging from salads to pizza, is well known to all of us, but were you aware that this plant is in the same family as the deadly nightshade?
Let's take a a bit of an exploration and check out this interesting plant and some of its history.
First of all, even though in culinary circles it is treated as a vegetable, the tomato is a fruit of the berry variety. There are around 7,500 tomato varieties grown for various purposes having been selected with varying fruit types, and for optimum growth in differing growing conditions.
About 161.8 million tonnes of tomatoes were produced in the world in 2012. China, the largest producer, accounted for about one quarter of the global output, followed by India and the United States. For one variety, plum or processing tomatoes, California accounts for 90% of U.S. production and 35% of world production.
The tomato is native to western South America and Central America. Native versions were small, like cherry tomatoes, and most likely yellow rather than red. A member of the deadly nightshade family, tomatoes were erroneously thought to be poisonous by Europeans who were suspicious of their bright, shiny fruit. The leaves are in fact poisonous, although the fruit is not.
Aztecs and other peoples in Mesoamerica used the fruit in their cooking. The exact date of domestication is unknown: by 500 BC, it was already being cultivated in southern Mexico and probably other areas. The Pueblo people are thought to have believed that those who witnessed the ingestion of tomato seeds were blessed with powers of divination. The large, lumpy variety of tomato, a mutation from a smoother, smaller fruit, originated in Mesoamerica, and may be the direct ancestor of some modern cultivated tomatoes.
Spanish distribution
Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés may have been the first to transfer the small yellow tomato to Europe after he captured the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City, in 1521, although Christopher Columbus may have taken them back as early as 1493. The earliest discussion of the tomato in European literature appeared in a herbal written in 1544 by Pietro Andrea Mattioli, an Italian physician and botanist, who suggested that a new type of eggplant had been brought to Italy that was blood red or golden color when mature and could be divided into segments and eaten like an eggplant—that is, cooked and seasoned with salt, black pepper, and oil. It was not until ten years later that tomatoes were named in print by Mattioli as pomi d'oro, or "golden apple".
After the Spanish colonization of the Americas, the Spanish distributed the tomato throughout their colonies in the Caribbean. They also took it to the Philippines, from where it spread to southeast Asia and then the entire Asian continent. The Spanish also brought the tomato to Europe. It grew easily in Mediterranean climates, and cultivation began in the 1540s. It was probably eaten shortly after it was introduced, and was certainly being used as food by the early 17th century in Spain.
The recorded history of tomatoes in Italy dates back to 31 October 1548 when the house steward of Cosimo de' Medici, the grand duke of Tuscany, wrote to the Medici private secretary informing him that the basket of tomatoes sent from the grand duke's Florentine estate at Torre del Gallo "had arrived safely." Tomatoes were grown mainly as ornamentals early on after their arrival in Italy. For example, the Florentine aristocrat Giovanvettorio Soderini wrote how they "were to be sought only for their beauty" and were grown only in gardens or flower beds. The tomato's ability to mutate and create new and different varieties helped contribute to its success and spread throughout Italy. However, even in areas where the climate supported growing tomatoes, their proximity of growing to the ground suggested low status. They were not adopted as a staple of the peasant population because they were not as filling as other fruits already available. Additionally, both toxic and inedible varieties discouraged many people from attempting to consume or prepare them. In certain areas of Italy, such as Florence, the fruit was used solely as a tabletop decoration before it was incorporated into the local cuisine in the late 17th or early 18th century. The earliest discovered cookbook with tomato recipes was published in Naples in 1692, though the author had apparently obtained these recipes from Spanish sources.
Unique varieties were developed over the next several hundred years for uses such as dried tomatoes, sauce tomatoes, pizza tomatoes, and tomatoes for long term storage. These varieties are usually known for their place of origin as much as by a variety name. For example, Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio is the "hanging tomato of Vesuvius". Five different varieties have traditionally been used to make these "hanging" tomatoes. They are Fiaschella, Lampadina, Patanara, Principe Borghese, and Re Umberto. Other tomatoes that originated in Italy include San Marzano, Borgo Cellano, Christopher Columbus, Costoluto Genovese, and Italian Pear. These tomatoes are characterized by relatively intense flavor compared to varieties typically grown elsewhere.
The tomato is now grown and eaten around the world. It is used in diverse ways, including raw in salads, and processed into ketchup or tomato soup. Unripe green tomatoes can also be breaded and fried, used to make salsa, or pickled. Tomato juice is sold as a drink, and is used in cocktails such as the Bloody Mary.
Tomatoes are acidic, making them especially easy to preserve in home canning whole, in pieces, as tomato sauce or paste. The fruit is also preserved by drying, often in the sun, and sold either in bags or in jars with oil.
Although tomatoes originated in the Americas, they have become extensively used in Mediterranean cuisine. They are a key ingredient in pizza, and are commonly used in pasta sauces. They are also used in gazpacho (Spanish cuisine) and pa amb tomàquet (Catalan cuisine).
Though it is botanically a berry, a subset of fruit, the tomato is a vegetable for culinary purposes, because of its savory flavor (see below).
Tomatoes are now eaten freely throughout the world. They contain the carotene lycopene, one of the most powerful natural antioxidants. In some studies, lycopene, especially in cooked tomatoes, has been found to help prevent prostate cancer, but other research contradicts this claim. Lycopene has also been shown to improve the skin's ability to protect against harmful UV rays. A study done by researchers at Manchester and Newcastle universities revealed that tomato can protect against sunburn and help keeping the skin looking youthful. Natural genetic variation in tomatoes and their wild relatives has given a genetic plethora of genes that produce lycopene, carotene, anthocyanin, and other antioxidants. Tomato varieties are available with double the normal vitamin C (Doublerich), 40 times normal vitamin A (97L97), high levels of anthocyanin (resulting in blue tomatoes), and two to four times the normal amount of lycopene (numerous available cultivars with the high crimson gene).
Technical Details
This photo was taken with a Canon EOS 5D Mk II using an EF 24-105mm f/4L lens. Studio lights were used so that exposure settings were 1/100 second at f/6.3 at 100 ISO.


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4 Documents You Should Shred Right Now
Start fresh in the New Year—throw out any unnecessary paperwork and documents that are cluttering your Northern Virginia home. But clearing out your documents can cause confusion. What is safe to throw out? What needs to be shredded? What should be kept temporarily—or forever? Throwing away confidential information in the trash can put you and your family at risk. Once the trash leaves your control, there is a risk that someone will find personal information they can use to steal your identity.
Shredding is one of the only ways to safeguard personal information once it leaves your possession. If you're unsure which documents need to be shredded, we've compiled a list of documents that you should dispose of sooner rather than later. Once you've gathered all your documents to dispose of, give TrueShred a call at (888) 750-8783. We can help you find a way to securely shred any paperwork with personal information.
Documents You Should Shred
The general rule is anything with account numbers, birth dates, passwords, signatures, and social security numbers should be shredded confidentially, including:
Bank Statements
Anything that has your banking account numbers and information should be shredded. To avoid having to shred your bank statement in the future, you can make the switch to online statements and store them on your computer.
Tax Records
You should plan on keeping tax returns, along with any supporting, for a period of at least three years following the date you filed or the due date of your tax return, whichever is later. We recommend three years because the stated time period is tied to the IRS statute of limitations. The statue states that if you do not file a claim for a refund that you are entitled to, you generally have the later of three years from the date you filed the original return or two years from the date you paid the tax, to file the claim.
Cancelled Checks
Voiding a check doesn't mean the checks life is over. Your bank account number and routing number are listed on the bottom of every check—making this valuable information available to whomever gets their hands on your cancelled check.
Pay Stubs
While your pay stub might not seem like it's a valuable document that should be shredded—it is. Your pay stub includes information like your address, your place of employment, your health care provider, and your bank accounts. Limit the amount of documents that can lead to identity theft by shredding them.
Documents You Should Keep
Some Paperwork Needs to Be Kept—But Only Temporarily
You should keep the paperwork for the following assets as long as you own them:
- House and mortgage documents
- Vehicle titles and loan paperwork
- Appliance manuals and warranties
- Insurance policies
Documents You Should NEVER Dispose Of
The following documents should be stored securely in a safe for your entire life:
- Birth and death certificates
- Social security cards
- Marriage license
- Wills, living wills, and powers of attorney
Shred Everything Else
Everything else you have you can safely shred or throw away. You should shred anything that has personal information like your name, address, phone number, social security number, or bank account information. Certain documents that have your personal information on them are often forgotten about! Make sure you shred paperwork such as ATM receipts, credit card receipts, bills, and even used airline tickets—don't just throw them in the trash!
Document Shredding Services in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC
If you're ready to declutter your home in time for the New Year and have a pile of personal records, files, and other confidential information that you want to destroy. Call TrueShred for one-time shredding—it's an ideal alternative to sitting in front of your limited-capacity home shredder for hours! We'll come to your home and do full personal document destruction.
TrueShred provides secure shredding service you can trust! Call us at (888) 750-8783 or contact us for a free estimate today!
"TrueShred was prompt, efficient, clean and extremely professional. I plan to continue to use your service and will highly recommend TrueShred to other businesses."READ MORE


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Unstrung (2009)
for dancer, processed violin and interactive electronics
Indiana University Dance Theatre
Kelly McCormick Bangs, dancer
Liana Gourdjia, violin
Elizabeth Shea, choreography
Jeffrey Hass, music and video projection
Amy Burrell, costume
David Krueger, lighting design
Unstrung, an abstract work for dance and live processed violin, traces the path of the dancer from confinement to freedom. The work is the fourth collaboration between choreographer Elizabeth Shea and composer Jeffrey Hass.
Performer and Choreographer Biographies:
Kelly McCormick Bangs is a senior majoring in Dance at Indiana University. Before attending IU, she studied for eleven years under Becky Seamster, and trained during two summers at Joffrey Midwest Workshop in Flint, Michigan. Kelly was the recipient of the National Society of Arts and Letters contemporary dance award for 2007. She has collaborated with Jeffrey Hass and Elizabeth Shea for three works: "Coming to Light" premiered in 2006, "Grow Move Change" in 2007 and "The Nature of Human" in 2008. Kelly is from Kokomo, Indiana.
Violinist Liana Gourdjia has been acclaimed for her "astonishingly pure tone, artistry and bewitching lyricism." At the age of six, Liana appeared on Moscow television as a rising star and has since performed recitals in many prestigious venues throughout Russia including the Great Hall and the Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, and the Philharmonic Hall in Saint-Petersburg. When she was thirteen, Liana Gourdjia was invited to perform in the concert series presented at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, and - as a laureate of the "New Names" and Vladimir Spivakov foundations - toured throughout Russia and Europe. Some of her performance highlights included concerts in the Vatican for Pope Jean Paul II, and for Unesco in Paris. Liana Gourdjia became a laureate of the Tchaikovsky International Competition for Young Artists in Sendai (Japan) at the age of fourteen and subsequently appeared numerous times on television and radio programs dedicated to presenting young stars in Russia and Europe. She is currently an Artist Diploma candidate in the Jacob's School of Music at Indiana University, Bloomington, where she studies with Jaime Laredo.
Elizabeth Limons Shea, Coordinator, IU Contemporary Dance program, has worked extensively in the field of dance education and as a modern dance choreographer. Her choreography has been adjudicated and accepted for performance by nationally known groups such as the National Dance Association and the American College Dance Festival Association. Liz has also received numerous grants and commissions to create dance works, most recently from The Indiana Arts Council and the New Frontiers in the Arts and Humanities Program at Indiana University. Ms. Shea holds both a B.S. and M.S. from Penn State University, where she also served on the dance faculty. She has additionally taught/performed/ and presented choreography at Florida State University, Florida A&M University, The Tallahassee Ballet, and Apalachee Tapestry Magnet School for the Arts. Liz was also an Artist-in-Residence for the State of Florida. Most recently, Liz traveled to China, teaching master classes and presenting choreography in Hong Kong, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Beijing.
This project was supported by a fellowship from the newly-created Indiana University Institute for Digital Arts and Humanities, Ruth Stone, Director, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research; the choreography was commissioned by the School of HPER Associate Dean's Research Fund.
Return to The Music of Jeffrey Hass


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The birth defect called microcephaly baffled scientists and doctors long before Zika virus made it a household word.
Now two new papers published in the American Journal of Human Genetics (available here and here) could help explain what happens in the womb that causes babies to be born with small brains and heads.
"There's so much we don't understand about human brain development that we're just starting to uncover."
In the papers, researchers focus on a key protein involved in the process that generates the many new cells required to build a normal size brain. Though the new studies didn't involve Zika-related microcephaly, they may provide clues that other scientists can use to investigate how Zika virus disrupts brain development.
Stephanie Bielas, a University of Michigan Medical School assistant professor of human genetics who helped lead the new research, says the findings also provide insight into what is required for brains to develop normally.
"There's so much we don't understand about human brain development that we're just starting to uncover," she says. "This shows the devastating impact of interrupting cell biology critical for this process."
Problems with cell division
The papers take a closer look at the role of citron kinase, a protein important during the process of mitosis, where one cell divides to make two cells. Cell division is the foundation of normal growth and development.
CIT, as the protein is called for short, helps in the final stages of cell division that separates the two "daughter" cells, called cytokinesis. That's when the two new cells, each with their own copy of the DNA from the original "parent" cell, sever the connections between them.
Years ago, research in animals showed that problems with the gene that contains the instructions for making the animal form of citron kinase could lead to microcephaly. But until now, that link hadn't been proven in humans. The researchers now say that CIT is critical to building a normally sized human brain.
Zika's first wave could infect 1.65 million childbearing women
The findings is based on research of families from Egypt, France, and Turkey that had one or more microcephalic babies. Some of the babies died soon after birth, the others developed intellectual disabilities that result from having a too-small brain.
Studying these babies' genes and brain tissue gave clues to the importance of CIT, and the problems that arise when the CIT gene is mutated.
Where normal brain cells have only one nucleus—the pouch containing the DNA and other important structures—many cells in microcephalic brain tissue had multiple nuclei. This suggested that something had happened to prevent new cells from dividing properly.
Not enough cells?
Another tool helped the researchers take the study even further: stem cells. With the parents' permission, they obtained skin cells from the surviving children and used relatively new techniques to transform them into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This essentially turns back the clock on the cells, making them able to develop into nearly any type of cell.
The researchers then grew the iPSCs under special conditions that coaxed them to develop into neural progenitor cells—the kind of cells that in a developing embryo grow and divide rapidly to become the future child's brain.
"There's a lot of evidence now that in microcephaly, there aren't sufficient numbers of neural progenitor cells to build the normal-size brain," she says.
How Zika moves from mother to infect fetus
Bielas points out that studying rare spontaneous cases of microcephaly—such as those in the families that took part in the study—offers a chance to identify genes important for brain development and understand the impact of deleterious small genetic mutations.
"Often in genetics, we identify seemingly obscure genes as the genetic basis of disorders; we don't know what they do or where and when they're active," she notes. "But in the case of citron kinase, we knew what a mutation in the gene did in animal models. These newly published findings confirm that CIT mutations are not only linked to severe microcephaly in humans, but are also associated with a smooth, unfolded brain surface—a condition known as lissencephaly—that isn't usually seen in brain disorders linked primarily to defects in neural progenitor cell mitosis."
Bielas and her colleagues are now growing brain "organoids"—balls of brain tissue grown from iPSCs or human embryonic stem cells with edited genes—to study this issue further. The hope is that by studying microcephaly's origins in human cells that mimic the developing brain, they can see what might be going on more clearly in human brain development that wouldn't be detected in animal models.
Some Zika researchers are also using this promising model system to study the virus's effect on human neural progenitor cells.
Bielas is also seeking more families whose babies have been born with non-Zika microcephaly, to contribute skin and DNA samples that may yield even more clues about the condition's origins.
"We need to know how microcephaly genes are contributing to such a profound human disorder," says Bielas. "It's a puzzle. So let's figure it out."
The National Institutes of Health helped fund the studies, which involved an international team of scientists.
Source: University of Michigan


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"In addition to its physiologic and musculoskeletal benefits, the Alexander Technique is extremely helpful in relieving the psychological states of depression and anxiety that so often accompany chronic pain and disease. It is my belief, based on professional experience, that the Alexander Technique should be part of all preventative health and education programs. It is as basic as good nutrition."
Other testimonials
- Welcome!
- Gail King, PT, MS, Backtec Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy, New York, NY
- Barry M. Scheinfeld, MD, Specialist in Rehabilitation Medicine and Pain Management, Community General Hospital, Harris, NY
- Jill Sanders, DO, New York, NY
- Deborah Caplan, PT, certified Alexander Technique teacher and author of Back Trouble, New York, NY
- John H.M. Austin, MD, Professor Emeritus of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY


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Intersection: Incarceration Doesn't Mean An End To Education, How Stetson University Is Reaching Inmates
Stetson University educates students in traditional and non-traditional settings. Inmates at Tomoka Correctional Institution started to receive higher education opportunities three years ago when Stetson's Community Education Project began. The project is run by four professors and has just been awarded a three-year grant of $70,000 a year from the Laughing Gull Foundation to extend the program for another three years.
Dr. Pamela Cappas-Toro, co-director of the Community Education Project, says there are "a lot of different adjustments that you have to make to every prison that you enter." In this case, classes take place in a visitation room.
"We have to improvise a lot and be very creative because it was a place where the incarcerated people received their family members in visiting times," Cappas-Toro says.
"Florida has the third largest incarceration population in the United States," says Cappas-Toro.
"Although Tomoka has educational programs, they are religion-based. We were kind of like the first educational program, higher-education that was represented at that moment in the prison," she says.
"I remember the first meeting that we had with the students that were interested that there was a full room of incarcerated individuals," Cappas-Toro says. "There was a lot of excitement. There was a lot of students because there was no educational program before this."
She says there are a mix of students in the classes where "all of the men have a GED or high school diploma" and some have "some community college background or some college."
The grant will allow the inmates to receive credit for the classes they take. It will also "develop more opportunities for the men to have study hall [and] a computer lab."
"Previously, we were providing a very high-quality education. We try to replicate the courses that we give at Stetson, but now the difference [is] that students will be able to earn credits," Cappas-Toro says.
She says this higher-education program benefits other people besides the incarcerated.
"They have common texts, common topics to talk about so this is not only benefiting incarcerated men but also their family members," Cappas-Toro says.
"Every single student in [their] own way is a great contributor to what we do in Tomoka."
Education reporting on 90.7 News is supported by Helios Education Foundation
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Bright, blue and alone,
I lay in my wayward bed;
Recalling times past and gone.
The eyes… the insomniac red.
There I pick up the phone,
There the voice so heavenly.
I start in a wishful tone
"Memories never keep you lonely."
"Life couldn't be stranger!"
The words which came to my lips.
"I thought I was a lone ranger,
Now her number is on my finger-tips."
I recalled when it all started
Like a romantic Young and Tender.
I got up and humbly stated
"It was the Third of November."
The majestic festival of lights,
It made me very keen.
I guess I had ample rights;
As such the intent was clean.
Thus, I left a greeting message.
Unexpected was the reply.
So there I mustered the courage,
"I don't talk to girls, but let's try."
Soon came the fateful day,
When I heard that beautiful voice.
My conscious lost its way;
It had but no other choice.
The talks became a regularity,
With them I soon evolved.
I felt there was some parity,
Some equation unsolved.
There was that sweet innocence,
The loneliness deep within;
A necessary nonchalance
Held by walls so very thin.
I'd known your need to express;
Your need to break those walls.
Although you spoke very less,
It was the best phase of those calls.
Soon I then realized.
I startled in all of hush.
It came as a real surprise
When I told you about the 'crush'.
Then you soon reciprocated
On that cold winter night.
But I am really ill-fated
For my sister's cameo was a fright.
I left thoughts outstanding,
Feelings partially conveyed.
For my ignorance withstanding
Had my exuberance fully razed.
The worst mistake of my life
Was not to continue that conversation.
I still regret my inner strife
For the advent of the 'innocent' was a bad sensation.
Three weeks of social isolation
Brought this curse upon me.
It was obviously an idiotic decision
So I accepted my fate solemnly.
But you suddenly called one day
And with that voice of an angel
"I missed you" is what you say
And put me in a life-threatening danger.
For my heart had nearly stopped,
My arms and feet all numb.
I believe I could've hopped
But I stood there all so dumb.
I still couldn't openly tell
About the song I wrote for you.
I sang it in the school farewell,
Though the context touched a very few.
It encircled the colorful laughter
Trapped in my brain, in a file.
But had been expressed thereafter
Christened as 'The Rainbow Smile'.
Then came your birthday.
My schedule was a little tight.
Chemistry was like my doomsday
Yet I called at twelve in the night.
So came the voice again,
Held my words in a clutch.
I was bound in a formal chain.
Her day demanded at least this much.
My shattered hope revived
When you wrote that poem for me.
"I have somehow survived
But this can't go on for eternity."
I planned my trip to your city,
But sadly you broke your hand.
I was fully dissolved in pity
And I had to cancel my plan.
So I lay in my wayward bed.
Months have gone by now,
Words I wish I'd said
Or could still say… somehow.
I got up as for a battle.
Like a Spartan ready to brawl.
"This time I won't just babble.
I would say… Say it all."
I sent a message very long
Ignoring opposition within.
"This time there won't be any song.
Simple and Honest… Or Nothing."
In short I said 'I love you'
And there you pondered confirming.
"Yes I said I love you"
The shortened form of the affirming.
I took a heavy sigh
Like tons were off my chest.
I didn't seek a reply.
Expression itself was a test.
I don't seek your love,
For it is all yours to give.
I don't seek your time,
You have your life to live.
Being you is difficult
I really do understand.
I won't be the stereotypical
Rather lend you a helping hand.
This is a story in rhyme.
I won't call it a love poem.
For 'Love knows no binds'
Said by… an intelligent someone.
Rest of it you already know
So Yes I hereby finally conclude.
"Whatever I am, wherever I go…
I can just say… I'd always Love You."


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5/5 4 Reviews
Get this item Thursday if you order within and choose next day shipping at checkout
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This eco-friendly paraffin wax is specifically developed to produce pillar candles and for use in moulds to create candles of a professional standard. As with our Blended Container Wax it has excellent qualities to allow further blending with our high quality fragrances and dyes.
While there are different types of wicks, we recommend using our LX series wick for a clean and long lasting burn. Cosy Owl sources this wax from a highly reputable and specialist UK manufacturer and comes in quantities of 800 grams, 5 kg, 10 kg and 25 kg.
These data sheets list any technical data or health and safety hazards associated with the product ingredients.
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The glistening black moustache spirals downward and outward—riotous parentheses for the red-veined drinker's nose protruding far beyond the shelter of a towering sombrero.
Pop-eyed, dilated, soul-patched and stylishly draped, the 4-foot figure, sculpted impossibly of vividly transparent blown glass, stands with shoulders flung back, belly thrust forward, hands angling up from the wrists, in a "Whaaa—hey, man, I didn't do it' gesture.
El Immortal by the de la Torre brothers welcomes visitors to Mexicanismo Through Artists' Eyes, just opened at San Jose Museum of Art.
Spare but surprising, Mexicanismo brings together 13 Mexican and Mexican-American artists who draw on traditional and folk arts in meticulously crafted works whose often humorous and sometimes wrenching impact is achieved by tugging at the strings of cultural stereotypes.
El Immortal is a tattersall-checked Mexican dandy with dong-shaped bongs hanging from every seam. His leather huaraches tip atop a pedestal of glass that mimics a gleaming car rim embellished in gold and snakeskin. Busted—gorgeously. Artists Jamex and Einar de la Torre, born in Guadalajara, now ply their exquisite glass ironies internationally.
Nearby, Maximo Gonzalez has woven two 13-foot mats from strips of paper currency—the ends and edges sliced from print runs of different denominations, cast-offs from the Mexican mint. Gonzalez has long used currency in works that refer to the constant devaluation of the peso. Humble Oaxacan floor mats: Has the peso reached bottom yet?
Gabriel Kuri commissioned traditional weavers of Guadalajara to fashion tapestries in the technique used to create the luxuriant tapestries commissioned by Louis XV of France in the 15th century. Those Gobelin tapestries depicted mythological or historical tableaux glorifying the church or the monarchy. Kuri's Guadalajara weavers painstakingly hand-knotted 7.5-foot-long creamy tapestries with spidery lines of type: cash register receipts from big-box stores. Glorifying?
In a Mexican craft tradition as old as the Olmec civilization, delicate clay flora and fauna embellish the "arbor de la vida,' or tree of life. Margarita Cabrera repurposes these gentle glorias as ceramic homages to the tools of hard physical labor. Her slip-glazed hammer, shovel, saw and pick are covered in delicate flowers and birds, elevating these crude instruments into objects of reverence.
Nearby, a table is set for a party with colorful tablecloth and cushions painted with flowers in the Pano style that originated as a small industry for Mexican prisoners who thus embellished handkerchiefs.
Natalia Anciso lets loose with vivid florals whose luscious blooms and spiraling tendrils camouflage grim drawings of border incidents—forlorn captives cower under vivid poppies; gun-wielding vigilantes lord it over exhausted families. Underneath florid fantasies: heartbreak.
The most arresting and memorable work in Mexicanismo is the installation De Reojo by Betsabe- Romero. The Mexico City artist mounted more than 100 rear-view mirrors aimed at a wall acting as a screen for video shot from a moving car, documenting empty streets of Ciudad Juarez.
In this border town, more than 400 women on their way to work in isolated pre-dawn streets have been murdered in recent years and hundreds more kidnapped and raped. Three walls of mirrors reflect that lonely journey. On each, a floral design in black signifies the feminine: a pattern copied from the cloak of the Virgin of Guadalupe. "Like the gaze of infinite women who travel everyday/dangerous trajectories É like a glance tattooed with prayer É' in a poem by the artist. It's a visually rich and emotionally stunning installation.
Curator Kristen Evangelista began organizing Mexicanismo years ago, engaging with San Jose communities to create a sturdy springboard for the sometimes provocative ironies.
Mexicanismo Through Artists' Eyes
Runs through Aug. 26
San Jose Museum of Art


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I've thought about graduating so many times, the high school musical moment where we sing one last song and then throw our caps into the air, but I never thought the time would come where I would be old enough to graduate. I can't believe how fast time flies. Graduation was a day full of all types of emotion. I was grateful to celebrate with friends and family who have been there through it all. So excited to see where the future takes me and share the next chapter of my life!!
-Love Always,


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Calmer Canine Anxiety Treatment System
The safe, proven effective, drug-free way to treat your dog's separation anxiety
$ 229.00
The Calmer Canine Anxiety Treatment Device is a safe, drug-free, non-invasive way to treat your dog's separation anxiety. Using sensation-free, microcurrent signals specifically targeting the dog's anxiety center (their brain), Calmer Canine stimulates the brain's own ability to reduce inflammation and produce beneficial "feel good" chemicals, like endorphins – restoring balance and calmness in your dog.
Studies show two 15-minute treatment sessions per day, for four to six weeks, should significantly reduce your dog's anxiety. The device can be purchased by itself and held during treatment or can be purchased with a convenience vest that allows the device to stay in place for hands-free treatment. The Calmer Canine device is battery operated, and the convenience vest is washable.
Want to learn more about the Calmer Canine Device and take a separation anxiety quiz? Click Here!
If you should determine Calmer Canine isn't the right solution for your dog, return the device within 30 days and we'll refund you the full purchase price.
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- May help with other anxieties
- Invisible, sensation-free treatment
- No side effects - safer than medication
- Based on technology that is cleared by the FDA for the treatment of humans with mood disorders and anxieties
Why We Like It
Perfect for the dog who suffers from separation anxiety. The Calmer Canine Anxiety Treatment System is a safe, sensation-free treatment that helps your dog get back to a balanced and calm state. This easy-to-use device is based on technology that is cleared by the FDA for the treatment of humans with mood disorders and anxiety. It's been rigorously researched and tested, with consistently successful results in the reduction of separation anxiety in dogs. Unlike some medications, there aren't any side effects with Calmer Canine.
Good For
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Device: 5" coil or 7" coil
Convenience vest: XS-XL (Please check sizing guide for correct size)
Delivery Info
Items will ship 2-3 days after placing your order


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"Avatar" won Best Picture – Drama while James Cameron took Best Director for the 3-D feature tonight at the 67th Golden Globes in Los Angeles. "The Hangover" received Best Picture – Comedy or Musical, while Jeff Bridges won Best Actor – Drama for "Crazy Heart." Sandra Bullock took the Best Actress Drama prize for "The Blind Side" and Merryl Streep received Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for "Julie & Julia." Mo'Nique took Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Precious" and Michael Haneke's "White Ribbon" won Best Foreign Language film. "The Hangover." Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, meanwhile, won Best Screenplay for "Up in the Air."
In the television categories, "Mad Men" took Best Television Drama, and Fox's "Glee" won Best Television Series Comedy or Musical. Best TV Actress – Drama went to Julianna Margulies for "The Good Wife" and Michael C. Hall won Best Actor-Drama for "Dexter." Drew Barymore took Best Actress in a Miniseries/TV Movie.
Analysis of a rather predictable roster of winners is here at indieWIRE, and for up to the minute backstage coverage, visit Anne Thompson's updates from at the Golden Globes .
66th Golden Globes winners:
Best Picture – Drama: "Avatar" Lightstorm Entertainment; Twentieth Century Fox
Best Picture – Comedy or Musical: "The Hangover" – Warner Bros. Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures
Best Actress – Drama: Sandra Bullock for "The Blind Side"
Best Actor – Drama: Jeff Bridges for "Crazy Heart"
Best Actress – Comedy or Musical: Meryl Streep for "Julie & Julia"
Best Actor- Comedy or Musical: Robert Downey Jr. for "Sherlock Holmes"
Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique for "Precious"
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz for "Inglourious Basterds"
Best Director: James Cameron for "Avatar"
Best Screenplay: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner for "Up In The Air"
Best Foreign Language Film: "The White Ribbon" (Das Weisse Band – Eine Deutsche Kindergeschichte) (Germany)
X Filme Creative Pool/Les Films Du Losange/Lucky Red/Wega Film; Sony Pictures Classics
Best Animated Film: "Up" directed by Peter Docter
Best Original Song: "The Weary Kind (Theme From Crazy Heart)"; Music & Lyrics By: Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett
Best Original Score: Michael Giacchino for "Up"
Best Series – Drama: "Mad Men" (AMC); Lionsgate
Best Series – Comedy or Musical: "Glee" (FOX); Twentieth Century Fox Television
Best Miniseries or TV Movie: "Grey Gardens" – Specialty Films and Locomotive in association with HBO Films (HBO)
Best Actress – Drama: Julianna Margulies for "The Good Wife" (CBS)
Best Actor – Drama: Michael C. Hall for "Dexter" (Showtime)
Best Actress – Comedy or Musical: Toni Collette for "United States of Tara" (Showtime)
Best Actor- Comedy or Musical: Alec Baldwin for "30 Rock" (NBC)
Best Actress – Miniseries/TV Movie: Drew Barrymore for "Grey Gardens" (HBO)
Best Actor – Miniseries/TV Movie: Kevin Bacon for "Taking Chance" (HBO)
Best Supporting Actress: Chloë Sevigny for "Big Love" (HBO)
Best Supporting Actor: John Lithgow for "Dexter" (Showtime)
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text: Tags: #mentalhealth #endthestigma #depression #selfworth, Loneliness The Loneliest Road "Loneliness aches in my gut. I feel empty. Numb. Lost. I walk the streets, and despite them being full of people, I'm alone. I want to feel I belong. Somewhere, anywhere. Most of all I want to belong to someone." Chelsea Bradford, UK Share this ›


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You know how it is, some people can't get enough novelty. Off to far away beaches this year, skiing in the mountains the next, backpacking in the jungle or the bright lights of some capital city with the latest and greatest in entertainment laid on. It really doesn't matter, as long as it's somewhere they haven't been before, doing something they haven't done before. Naturally, that period of their lives spent in the place they hardly ever visit, often referred to as – Home – is used to prospect and plan the next item on their bucket list.
Then there are those who go on holiday just for the change of air. No bucket list here. Bucket and spade, maybe. Home from home is what they are looking for. The same place and the same lodgings, with the same rooms – often booking next years holiday before the end of this years stay – just to be safe. They can be found, without fail, in the same deck chairs in the same place on the pier at the same time of year. The staff in the ice cream kiosk all know they are tubs – the ones with the little wooden spoons – not cornets.
We're beginning to see a few old friends around as the tourist season gets underway. We stopped to chat to this guy today – he said he remembered us from last year – isn't that nice!


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Many readers have been asking us whether the new format of TOPIK test will be easier or more difficult than the old one. Frankly speaking it's difficult to say for any of us now as we haven't seen a real test paper based on new pattern yet. But in this post, we will try to give you an idea of the change in difficulty level of the test, based on the analysis of sample papers and feedback from people who took the mock test organized by NIIED.
TOPIK-I (Beginner Level 1-2)
The beginner level has definitely got much easier now. In fact they have made it so easy that many are saying there is no practical use of this score. No companies, school or organizations are going to take TOPIK level 2 seriously now. Moreover, the gap between beginner and intermediate levels of TOPIK was already big; now it will become huge.
There is no writing involved in the TOPIK-I now. There are just 2 sections – reading & listening and you just have to choose one correct answer out of 4 options and color the answer sheet. So even if one doesn't know how to write Hangul but can read, listen and understand it well, s/he may pass TOPIK I. Most common weaknesses of Korean language learners, like – spelling mistakes, grammatically incorrect sentence formation, inability to write a coherent and cohesive text in Korean will not make put any negative influence on the TOPIK score. But on the other hand, some people think Grammar & Vocabulary section was a scoring one; removing it will affect the score negatively. Also, a big number of test takers think increasing the number of questions in the reading section will make the test more difficult as this section was already boring and difficult.
In conclusion here are the plus and minus points of the New TOPIK-I (Beginner Level).
Plus points:
- The test has become shorter – earlier it was 104 questions and 180 Minutes. Now it's 70 questions and 100 Minutes.
- There is no writing section. No essay writing or short answered questions.
Minus Points:
- There is no grammar and vocabulary section. This section had shorter and easier questions and was a scoring one.
- The Reading section is bigger now with 40 questions.
- There will be a really huge gap between TOPIK-I and TOPIK-II and you will have to study a lot to take the jump.
TOPIK-II (Intermediate-Advanced Level 3-6)
When it comes to TOPIK-II it is really difficult to say if the changes will impact the test positively or negatively. Many things are still not very clear about TOPIK-II, like- what will be the passing scores for different levels and what will be the difficulty level of the essays. We all know that the gap between intermediate and advanced levels of TOPIK is really big. The level of people at TOPIK level 3 and level 6 are just too big. Now all of them will see the same test and it's really not very clear yet how NIIED is going to structure the test (difficulty level) so that it fits such a diverse range of test takers.
In TOPIK-II the most difficult part mayl be the essay writing section. Now you just have 2 short answer questions and 2 essays; no multiple choice questions. So the essays will have 80% of the total marks in the section. Now if the essay topics are of intermediate level, they will be too easy for people who are attempting for level 6. But if any of the topics are of advanced level (let's say between 4 and 5), the people attempting for level 3 might not even be able to understand the essay question. And if they leave the essay they lose huge marks. But a good thing here is that unlike the old pattern it's not mandatory to get a minimum passing score in all the sections now. Which means if your total score reaches the passing passing cutoff it won't matter even if you have 0 marks in any one section.
The removal of grammar and vocabulary section is also a negative point for Intermediate level test takers as this section was much easier than the reading section. The new reading section has 50, yes 50 questions! And the reading texts are really lengthy. I think that's one of the worst changes in the new pattern. People who took the mock test said that after 30-35 questions they had no energy and concentration left and just wanted to give up even though they had time left and they could answer the remaining questions if they tried. You should really practice solving 50 questions from past TOPIK reading papers in one sitting. In the listening section also there will be 40 questions instead of 30. It appears like they will the audio of last few questions twice but the dialogues in the begging of the paper will be played only once. So even if you are attempting for intermediate level, you should practice with advanced level listening papers as well. The same can be said about the essay writing paper. Practice writing essays from both intermediate and advanced levels of past TOPIK papers.
Here is the summary of plus and minus points of the New TOPIK-II (Intermediate-Advanced Level).
Plus points:
- It's not mandatory to get a minimum passing score in all the sections now.
- The essay writing section give you some hints which are helpful; you just have to elaborate them.
- As the test has 4 sub-levels (3-6) the passing cutoff for intermediate levels may be lower (just my guess).
Minus Points:
- There is no grammar and vocabulary section. This section had shorter and easier questions and was a scoring one.
- The Reading section is bigger now with 50 lengthy questions. You'll need a lot of concentration and stamina in this section.
- Writing section has probably become more difficult for intermediate level students but it may be easier for advanced level students. You have to write two essays- one short and one big.
Let us know what you think, in the comments.


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Poetry is honey for the soul
Today is Sunday and I have chosen the poem of the day.
It was mentioned once in a blog,
I looked for it and found it.
It is, for me, as a foreigner, something very English,
not British, English.
Something I would find with Anthony Trollope, with John Donne,
with John Keats, with Mrs Gaskell, with Barbara Pym.
Something Victorian and Edwardian,
a nostalgia for a past Empire today.
But was it ever idyllic and pastoral,
or is it a nostalgia for something dreamt that never was?
We have the same "faux souvenirs" in France…
by: A.T. Quiller-Couch
PASTORAL heart of England! like a psalm
Of green days telling with a quiet beat–
O wave into the sunset flowing calm!
O tirèd lark descending on the wheat!
Lies it all peace beyond the western fold
Where now the lingering shepherd sees his star
Rise upon Malvern? Paints an Age of Gold
Yon cloud with prophecies of linkèd ease–
Lulling this Land, with hills drawn up like knees,
To drowse beside her implements of war?
Man shall outlast his battles. They have swept
Avon from Naseby Field to Savern Ham;
And Evesham's dedicated stones have stepp'd
Down to the dust with Montfort's oriflamme.
Nor the red tear nor the reflected tower
Abides; but yet these elegant grooves remain,
Worn in the sandstone parapet hour by hour
By labouring bargemen where they shifted ropes;
E'en so shall men turn back from violent hopes
To Adam's cheer, and toil with spade again.
Ay, and his mother Nature, to whose lap
Like a repentant child at length he hies,
Nor in the whirlwind or the thunder-clap
Proclaims her more tremendous mysteries:
But when in winter's grave, bereft of light,
With still, small voice divinelier whispering
–Lifting the green head of the aconite,
Feeding with sap of hope the hazel-shoot–
She feels God's finger active at the root,
Turns in her sleep, and murmurs of the Spring.


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Columbia, SC (WLTX) - A 9 year-old Midlands girl releases her first book and it becomes an Amazon Best Seller. Jakayla M. Green is the author of Daddy's Girl, a story about how she and her Daddy coped with her parents' separation by going on Daddy-Daughter Dates.
Jakayla is a third grader at Rice Creek Elementary School in Columbia and spoke to News 19's Deon Guillory about being a kidprenuer and author.
You can learn more about Jakayla and her book "Daddy's Girl" here.


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Important Aspects To Think About When Looking For Exhibition Stands For An Event
If a person wants to create an impact in people's minds once they see your display in early trading events, it is essential to have the best exhibition stands for that makes a difference. The best display attract more clients than one can ever imagine and that is why choosing the right exhibition stands is a perfect option for your business and a great way to attract more clients to purchase your products. Not all people who do understand things to look out for in exhibition stands, and the following tips are supposed to be a way of making your next shopping easier and faster than before.
Your Expenditure
Everyone wants to have a beautiful display, but few individuals do want to spend much money; therefore, it is essential to look at the long-term rather than the service for a day. If an individual does not come up with a plan of purchasing the stands, chances of settling for low quality are high, which will only serve you once and that is the reason why a person has to focus on getting the items that can help you several more times without the need to repair or have them replaced. If you do not want to keep on buying these things every time there is an exhibition it is essential to select the right display stands because one will not be required to keep on replacing or maintaining these items.
You Want To Rent Or Purchase
For a person whose focus is not to be displaying products severally, renting is always a better option because one stands a chance of finding people within their rates.
What One Is Displaying
Focus on the item's one you selling because that is the best way to find the right exhibition stands that serve your needs.
Look For Professionals
When a person wants to have the rights exhibition stand it is recommended to look for a team of professionals have been in the market long enough to know various displays and how each exhibition stand works.
Check If They Are Compatible With Your Staff
An individual has to pick the best exhibition stands considering that is what makes or breaks your exhibition since if your workers cannot communicate well with the customers, it makes them lose their morale which results in low sales.
Choose The Right Graphics
Graphics play parts in how customers interact with your products and that is why an individual has to choose bright and those that stand out and also make sure that they can last long without being replaced.
Learning The "Secrets" of Stands


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Once again, Everything is Possible has been salvaging quality camping equipment left behind at Leeds Festival, that we passed onto local community organisations.
This year our action supported 10 organisations working with homeless people, refugees, disadvantaged people in general and scouts. All those organisations mentioned being in desperate need of this equipment for their activities.
Here is a video showing the camping equipment collection by the organisations:
Our amazing team of international volunteers – all passionate by environment and music – have salvage several tonnes of camping equipment. This includes more than a hundred of tents and thousands of sleeping bags, rolls mats, camping chairs and pairs of wellies.
This 360° video shows our volunteers in action, salvaging good quality camping equipment at Leeds Festival.
Here are some of the best pictures published on Facebook:
No food waste!
And that's not all! For the second year, we've also been collecting food left behing by food shops on site.
As soon as the last concert stopped, our brilliant volunteers ran to food stores asking them for food waste. We've passed this food onto organisations supporting homeless people.
Media coverage
Medias have spread the word about our action.
The BBC has broadcasted a small report about it:
Here is the link to their online article:
Even in Aruba, the television spoke about our action, with an interview of two volunteers and a partner:
Here is the video produced by European Solidarity Corps UK, who came to visit the project:
Testimonies from the participants:
Luigi from Italy, about our green recycling action at Trib Festival – European Solidarity Corps
Ana from Portugal, about our food collection action at Leeds Festival – European Solidarity Corps
Jeni from Germany, about our salvaging action at Leeds Festival – European Solidarity Corps project
Miguel from Portugal, about our salvaging action at Leeds Festival – European Solidarity Corps
Joana from Aruba, about our green action at Leeds Festival – European Solidarity Corps project
Interview from our volunteers at Leeds Festival – European Solidarity Corps project
Project organised by Everything is Possible and co-funded by the European Solidarity Corps programme of the European Union. The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.


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Oilers Hold Off Kings For 4-3 Win
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ryan Strome's empty-net goal at 19:01 and a successful coach's challenge with less than 10 seconds left gave the Edmonton Oilers a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night.
Dustin Brown tipped in Drew Doughty's shot to cut it to 4-3 with 18 seconds remaining, and the Kings appeared to tie it on another goal by Brown with 9.9 seconds to go. The play was initially ruled no goal on the ice and changed after a video review, but the Oilers challenged for goaltender interference and the goal was waived off.
Anton Slepyshev, Leon Draisaitl and Jujhar Khaira scored for the Oilers, who won for the third time in four games and kept the Kings from moving back into playoff position. Cam Talbot made 30 saves.
Michael Cammalleri, who started the season with the Kings before being traded to the Oilers on Nov. 14, recorded three assists and has 10 in his last 11 games.
Tyler Toffoli and Tobias Rieder also scored for the Kings, who are two points behind Calgary for third place in the Pacific Division and two points behind Anaheim for the second Western Conference wild card. Jonathan Quick stopped 21 shots.
Kings center Jeff Carter returned after missing 55 games following surgery to repair a cut on his leg in October. He had four shots and won 11 of 16 faceoffs in 17:18 of ice time.
Draisaitl gave the Oilers a 2-0 lead at 6:16 of the second period, finishing off Cammalleri's pass with a one-timer from the slot for his ninth point in his last eight games.
Toffoli scored his 20th goal to get Los Angeles on the board at 14:26, but Khaira darted through two Kings and scored into the top netting to restore a two-goal lead at 3-1 with 2:56 left in the period.
Rieder batted in his first goal for the Kings since being acquired from Arizona in a trade, making it 3-2 at 7:51 of the third.
Strome scored an empty-netter for a 4-2 lead with 59 seconds left.
After getting walloped 5-0 and 5-2 in their first two games against the Kings, the Oilers needed 51 seconds to take a 1-0 lead on Slepyshev's fourth goal. Strome found Slepyshev for a one-timer during a delayed penalty, giving Edmonton its first lead over Los Angeles this season.
The Oilers had to kill three penalties in the first, including 1:06 of 5-on-3 play after Darnell Nurse put the puck over the glass. Talbot stopped all five shots during the Kings' power plays, including two dangerous shots by Toffoli from close range.
NOTES: Oilers forward Patrick Maroon (lower body) is expected back in the lineup at Anaheim on Sunday after missing the last two games. . Edmonton traded D Brandon Davidson to the New York Islanders for a 2019 third-round draft pick.
Oilers: Visit the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night.
Kings: Host the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday night.
(© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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- September 12th, 2012
- Bruce Denson
- Comments Off on COMMON CRIMINAL DEFENSE FAQ'S
Q. Will the Court drop a first-time marijuana charge?
A. While the Court may have the power to dismiss charges against you when there are issues related to violations of your Constitutional Rights, they do not have the power to simply drop charges against you. However, the State Attorney does have the power to drop a first-time marijuana charge. The State Attorney has the discretion to decide whether to prosecute or not to prosecute any case. It is always recommended that you contact an attorney as soon as possible after you are arrested to see if early intervention with the State Attorney's office can result in having the charges against you dropped. We can also explore other ways to have a first-time charge dropped. For example, many first-time offenders qualify for a Pre-Trial Intervention Program or a diversion program. Please contact Bruce Denson to see if one of these options is right for you.
Q. How can I get a first-time drug sale charge lowered or dismissed in Florida?
A. It may be possible to get a drug sale charge lowered and dismissed by hiring an attorney and acting quickly after your arrest. If you are a first-time offender, you may be eligible for a diversion program or Pre-Trial Intervention Program. Completion of one of these programs will result in the case being dismissed. A qualified attorney can also examine the discovery in your case to determine if there are any grounds for a Motion to have the Court dismiss your case. As a first-time offender with no priors, it is essential that the case be resolved without a conviction. A conviction on a drug related charge will result in your driver's license being suspended for two years. However, there are many options we can explore for resolving your case without this penalty. Please give us a call today to discuss your case.
Q. Can a vehicle be seized if charged with drug possession?
A. Yes, police can attempt to forfeit your vehicle if there is a nexus or connection between use of the vehicle and possession of the illegal substance. If your car or cash has been seized by police related to a drug related offense, please contact us immediately. Once you are put on Notice of the seizure, there are very limited time restrictions and you need to act immediately to protect your assets. We will request an Adverse Preliminary Hearing on your behalf and begin work immediately to get your property back. Forfeiture is a harsh remedy not favored by the Courts. Even though the police have taken your property, you may be entitled to relief. Please contact us immediately upon receipt of any Notice of Seizure or Forfeiture.
Q. Does restitution in a criminal case preclude civil recovery?
A. Restitution in a criminal case does not preclude civil recovery. Any amount ordered as restitution in a criminal case can be set-off against any judgment in a civil case, but it does not preclude you from being sued civilly. In fact, if restitution is ordered in a criminal case it is most likely you will be precluded denying liability in the civil matter. If you are facing a criminal charge and a related civil lawsuit, it is essential that you consult with an attorney that can help you craft a resolution of the criminal case in a fashion that best preserves your possible defenses in the civil suit. Otherwise, your resolution of the criminal case may hamper your ability to defend yourself in the civil lawsuit.
Q. Can I do Pre-Trial Intervention in Florida on a first-offense DUI?
A. Some counties are now offering Pre-Trial Intervention or diversion programs for a first-time DUI offense. Unfortunately, this is not being offered in Pinellas County or Hillsborough County. It is being considered. However, at this time Pre-Trial Intervention is not an option for resolving DUI offenses in Tampa Bay.


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Full Article
July 19, 2016
Finance Students Among First to Use New Digital Learning Center
The opening of the new Digital Learning Center (DLC) in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Adele Coryell Hall Learning Commons provided an opportunity for students in the College of Business Administration to be among the first to take advantage of the facility. Two classes led by Dr. Roberto Stein, assistant professor of practice in finance, took tests in the facility as it prepares for a full-scale opening in the fall.
"When I heard the DLC was open for business, I immediately talked to them about running this first trial with the summer sections of FINA 361 (Finance) and FINA 363 (Investment Principles)," Stein said. "They used it as a chance to iron out some bugs in their systems, and for me it was an opportunity to deploy better tests and still have students take them in an organized, proctored environment."
The Digital Learning Center features seating for up to 174 students in an open floorplan. Each testing unit includes height-adjustable tables, screen reader programs, speech-to-text programs and noise cancelling headphones. A private testing room is also available, as are low-distraction stations. An open layout and floor-to-ceiling windows letting in natural light add to the relaxed feel of the facility.
CBA students get first look at new Digital Learning Center
Open to instructors across UNL, the center is currently in a pilot period and open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 3 p.m. on Sundays. The center will open full-scale operations starting with the first day of fall classes Monday, August 22. Fall semester hours are currently scheduled to be 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Fridays; 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays; and 1-10 p.m. on Sundays.
The center provides a much larger, more modern space than the current CBA Testing Center located on the lower level of CBA. It offers 150 more seats, and is equipped with state-of-the-art software and equipment that allows for a wide variety of tests.
"In the spring 2016 term, I had two sections with almost 300 students, and it was difficult to organize tests. I eventually had to compromise with tests that lasted less than an hour, so we could have every student take the test on the same day," Stein explained. "I had to write a computer program myself to read student-provided schedules and assign them testing time slots."
The Digital Learning Center features a website that allows students to schedule their own time slots and a seating algorithm designed to help students avoid long lines. The flexible service allows tests to be administered through Blackboard, Canvas or MapleTA. In addition, computer-based testing has helped Stein test understanding of financial tools and software.
"Students can be taught in class how to use the standard financial tool, Microsoft Excel, and they can then use this knowledge in their computer-based test," Stein said. "Standard paper tests do not permit this, so we've had to require financial calculators for a long time – which are for the most part obsolete in real business applications."
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