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Missing Oil Spill Commission Document Shows BP Made Risky Decisions in Gulf to Save Time
By KATIE HOWELL of Greenwire
Published: November 23, 2010
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The companies involved in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill made several risky decisions to save time -- and consequently money -- ahead of the disaster, according to a document that was pulled at the last minute from a presentation of the president's oil spill commission earlier this month.
The document (pdf) obtained by Greenwire shows BP PLC, Halliburton Co. and Transocean Ltd. made a series of 11 unnecessary decisions that may have increased the chances of disaster. The findings paint a harsher picture than statements made by the panel's chief counsel during a recent presentation that workers onshore and on the drilling rig didn't cut corners on safety to save money. And it may be a harbinger of stronger findings in the panel's final conclusions due out in January.
Before Fred Bartlit, the chief counsel, made those comments earlier this month during the commission's final set of hearings, other inquiries into the disaster had alleged that BP's bad decisions were driven by a desire to save money on the project, which was running behind schedule and costing the company about $1.5 million a day. And in preliminary findings released last week, the National Academy of Engineering also said BP failed to assess risks and chose less expensive actions on the project.
The document removed from Bartlit's presentation shows the presidential commission may be considering similar conclusions.
A spokesman for the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling said the document was pulled from Bartlit's presentation at the last minute because it hadn't been reviewed by the commissioners, a requirement. The document was later mistakenly uploaded to the panel's website but has since been removed.
"The commission continues to stand behind those findings," said Dave Cohen, a spokesman for the commission. "We wish that the slide had been part of the presentation, and the information will be used, I predict, in the future, either in our remaining meeting or in the final report. But it's supported entirely by our investigation."
The seven-member commission appointed by President Obama is investigating the causes and effects of the oil spill. The panel has held a series of public hearings over the past several months, including the meeting earlier this month when Bartlit presented the tentative conclusions. The panel will hold its final deliberative meeting next week before preparing a final report for the president by January.
The missing document outlines 11 specific decisions that BP and its contractors made ahead of the disaster that may have increased risk on the rig. At least nine of the decisions saved time, the document shows, and the majority of the decisions were made by BP personnel on shore.
BP in recent months has tried to downplay the role of onshore decisionmakers in the bad moves that led up to the disaster. In its internal probe of the disaster, BP faulted its own employees on the drilling rig for not picking up on signs of trouble before the blowout. The British oil giant was also critical of subcontractor Halliburton for making bad calls about cementing the well ahead of the disaster.
Bartlit's comments at the commission's meeting in Washington earlier this month seemed to defend those BP employees.
"We have not seen a conscious decision where human beings favored dollars over safety," Bartlit said. "We have not found a situation where we can say a man had a choice between safety and dollars and put his money on dollars. We haven't seen it" (Greenwire, Nov. 8).
Each of the companies involved in the disaster has attempted to shift blame for various bad decisions made as they prepare to defend themselves against lawsuits and possible criminal charges stemming from the blowout that killed 11 rig workers and sparked the nation's worst oil spill.
Spokesmen for BP and Halliburton didn't respond to requests for comment about the missing document as of press time. A spokesman for Transocean declined to comment.
Click here (pdf) to read the missing document.
Copyright 2010 E&E Publishing. All Rights Reserved.


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All his life, Lobo had the run of his neighborhood. Then last month Montgomery County officials seized the six-year-old, 85-pound Siberian husky mix and sentenced him to die.
Lobo's crime? It's hard to say.
Lobo's owners Erik and Rosalyn Frazier say their family pet may look big and intimidating, but he's really docile and harmless.
animal control
"He's a lazy-like, lay-around dog," says 28-year-old Rosalyn Frazier, who is 20 weeks pregnant with her second child. "He sleeps and cuddles with our two-year-old daughter Reagan. All he does is wag his tail and lick you."
Dozens of their longtime neighbors agree. Many have posted signs on their lawns to "Save Lobo." In fact, 18 of the 19 homes on the Frazier family's street signed a petition attesting that Lobo was "falsely accused" and "never exhibited any form of aggression."
The lone household not included on the petition belongs to Matt and Jennifer Calk, who in October 2006 moved from their River Oaks apartment into the woodsy 177 Lake Estates subdivision in southwest Montgomery County. Signs posted by Lobo's owners throughout the neighborhood claim it became the Calk family's "sole purpose in life to have our dog killed."
This is strange, since the Calks are devoted animal enthusiasts who dream of one day owning a pet shop. Husband and wife for years worked at Petco stores in the Galleria and River Oaks areas. Twenty-nine-year-old Matt Calk even participated in animal-rescue efforts in New Orleans in the weeks preceding Hurricane Katrina.
"If anybody loves animals, it's that guy," says Char Close, owner of a popular reptile store in the Montrose neighborhood who has known Matt Calk for years.
But the Calks had problems with Lobo. They say the dog was frequently off his leash and on their property, growling and barking. They worried about their nine-year-old son and Matt Calk's 50-year-old mother, Lisa Luttrell, who lives with them.
Matt Calk and his mom each phoned in numerous complaints to the county's animal control department and filed sworn affidavits that the dog had lunged at them. Luttrell formally requested that the dog be destroyed.
The case eventually landed in court, where after several hearings Justice of the Peace Matt Masden on January 16 ordered Lobo euthanized.
Lobo never bit anyone. Animal control officers never even saw him off his leash, though they were called out to retrieve him nearly a dozen times in the last year. According to the Fraziers, some of the complaints against Lobo were made when the dog was visiting relatives out of state.
The Fraziers appealed Masden's ruling and retained an attorney, then set up a Web site and launched an investigation of their own. They discovered a rookie judge who misinterpreted the law and a top animal control officer who may have lied under oath.
But the county still wouldn't release Lobo. Then the family found seminude photographs of the animal control officer posted online.
Matt Masden has served as a justice of the peace for just one year. The Lobo case marks the 49-year-old former law enforcement officer's first involving an animal dispute.
Masden insists he didn't base his ruling to kill Lobo solely on complaints made by the Calks and Luttrell. "Most of the complaints were from the one family — but it wasn't just them," he says. "There was also a school-district complaint."
John Geiser, who oversees bite-case investigations at the county's animal control department and signed the affidavit to seize and impound Lobo, testified in court that an employee from the Montgomery Independent School District phoned in a complaint about the dog attacking children at a bus stop.
But Geiser failed to document any such complaint, in violation of department policies. A representative for the school district insists no complaint was ever made.
In an interview with the Houston Press on January 22, 2008, Geiser said that another resident, Tina LeBeck, testified in court that her own child was bitten by Lobo. LeBeck could not be reached for comment, but her husband told the Press: "That is a lie — our child was not attacked by a dog."
LeBeck's testimony remains in question since the hearings were not recorded.
On January 28, 2008, Montgomery County Constable Tim Holifield, who oversees the animal control department, opened an internal investigation into Geiser's handling of the Lobo case after receiving several complaints. "We're looking into whether anything was done inappropriately," Holifield says. "If [Geiser] testified untruthfully, I have a great issue with that."
And in a bizarre twist, county officials that same day opened an additional investigation into whether 37-year-old Geiser used county equipment to maintain his MySpace page, which includes several suggestive photographs and statements while also citing Montgomery County as his employer.
The site features a photograph of Geiser posing shirtless with pants unzipped beneath a tag labeled "Sex Fiend: Nymphos, Sluts & Freaks Welcome." On the site, he describes his mood as "horny" and writes, "...if you're a hottie with tattoos and piercings, I definately [sic] want to hear from you!! Any bi girls that think my wife and I are hot drop us a line!"
The Fraziers, seeking any opportunity to damage the county's credibility and save their pet, discovered Geiser's MySpace page last Monday and reported it to Holifield. "It is my goal to get John Geiser fired," says Rosalyn Frazier's sister, Kimberly Parrish, who posted the link on her Web site, savelobo.com, which has received hundreds of hits from supporters.
Hours after being notified of Geiser's MySpace page, Holifield told the Press he was considering "a mediation or something that would be reasonable to save the animal's life and to make sure that the community is safe with the animal around."
At that point, Lobo had been in county custody for nearly three weeks.
Two days later, on January 30, the county released Lobo back to the Fraziers without bond, granted them temporary custody and set a February 5 court date to hear the appeal. The county agreed to release Lobo only if the Fraziers took down their Web site.
Matt Masden says the Lobo case has been his most controversial. He describes his ruling as "extreme," but sticks by it.
The judge justifies his decision, saying, "If the dog is out and harms somebody, it's on me."
Last summer, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed several bills into law long championed by animal-rights activists across the state. They include increasing penalties for dog fighting and strengthening the animal-cruelty law to protect strays.
Lillian's Law, named for a 76-year-old Milam County resident mauled to death in 2005 by a pack of dogs, imposes stiffer penalties on owners whose dogs seriously injure or kill people in unprovoked attacks. Even owners of dogs that are first-time offenders can now be charged with a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Nationally 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs and around 20 are killed each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some recent high-profile cases included a 50-year-old Friendswood man attacked by his own dogs and found dead in his backyard in March 2007, and a 40-year-old Montgomery County man killed by a pitbull he had considered adopting for home protection in October 2006.
Masden's ruling to euthanize Lobo garnered scant support. But the Conroe Courier community newspaper on January 19, 2008, backed the decision in an editorial titled "Owners have responsibility to control pets."
Kathy Barton, spokeswoman for the City of Houston's Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care, says animal disputes often have nothing to do with animals but rather involve neighbors lashing out at each other over petty squabbles.
All the publicity given to dog-attack cases has led some judges to abandon common sense, according to Don Feare, who teaches animal law at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in Fort Worth.
"In 50 percent or more of the cases I've seen like this, it's one neighbor getting back at the other — and the poor dog pays the price," Feare says. "[Lobo's] is a rather egregious case because there is no allegation of injury."
The Fraziers insist all allegations against their dog were fabricated.
"I don't believe it's possible that Lobo was aggressive — he's been raised with too many children," Rosalyn Frazier says. "It's absurd, unless they did something to him."
Sara Frost, who lives next door to the Calks, says she frequently saw Matt Calk and his son strike Lobo with rocks and sticks.
"Anytime Lobo got anywhere close to them, they threw stuff at him," says 55-year-old Frost, adding that she had scolded Matt Calk about hitting Lobo as well as the Calks' own dog, a one-year-old miniature schnauzer.
Matt Calk's response, according to Frost: "He's in my yard, I can do anything I want."
Matt Calk denies hitting Lobo, though he says he occasionally lifted yard equipment over his head to frighten the dog away.
When discussing Lobo, Matt Calk sounds sympathetic and reasonable. He calls dogs creatures of habit and admits that he may have been to blame for accidentally startling Lobo on their first encounter.
"The dog didn't like me," he says. "We were on his property, in the dog's mind. He felt cornered. But the bottom line is, this is my property."
Matt Calk says he, too, opposes Masden's ruling and would have signed the petitions supporting the dog, if asked.
"Why wasn't I offered to sign that?" he asks. "I agree with everybody that the dog should not be put down."
This sentiment rings hollow, since his mother filed an affidavit with the county explicitly requesting that the dog be destroyed for barking in their driveway.
Masden says he based his decision on state statutes, claiming he had no flexibility to rule any differently. But a close reading of the law shows that Masden actually had zero authority to order the dog destroyed since Lobo never injured anyone, according to Skip Trimble, an attorney and treasurer of the Texas Humane Legislation Network, an Austin-based nonprofit organization that lobbies for animal protections.
"If this dog doesn't bite anybody, there's no rush to euthanize," Trimble says. "I don't see any basis, any authority in the code for the judge to order this dog destroyed."
Rosalyn Frazier in December 2001 gave her husband a six-week-old pup as a gift. Erik Frazier named the tiny, playful ball of shock-white fur Lobo since his triangular ears and sickle tail made him appear wolf-like.
Erik Frazier, who is now 30 and co-owns a fireworks warehouse in Conroe, has lived in 177 Lake Estates since he was eight. The 50-year-old subdivision has grown to include more than 100 houses on large lots. Many have the feel of rustic cabins and cottages. Nestled amid tall pine trees, they circle a pair of large, man-made lakes populated by scores of black-bellied whistling ducks.
Before moving into their current house on Trailway Drive, the Fraziers rented a place just four doors down and across the street. Lobo's routine for years included going back to his former home and sniffing around the property. The new owners there didn't mind and often invited him inside for treats.
Then they moved out, the Calks moved in next door to the Fraziers' old residence and the problems began.
Matt Calk says his first run-in with Lobo occurred in December 2006, several weeks after his family first moved into the neighborhood. He was washing his jeep in his driveway when Lobo suddenly appeared. He says he may have startled the dog, which responded by barking and lunging at him.
Matt Calk described the incident in an affidavit filed with animal control several months later, on March 8, 2007. His mother also filed an affidavit that same day recounting her own encounters with Lobo. Lisa Luttrell wrote:
"1/31/07 the dog was outside my front door. As I tried to go outside to meet my grandson he crouched, put his ears back, growled, showed his teeth. I tried to talk to him nicely and playful. He started to bark and become more aggressive then lunged towards me. He held me at this position for approx. 5 minutes. I closed the screen and he left. Another time he barked at me when he was in my backyard."
Luttrell continued: "[Lobo] has been reported to keep children from riding there [sic] bikes by biting their ankles. The school bus drops grade school children off across the street from this dog and I am very concerned."
It remains unclear who has reported that Lobo had bitten children's ankles. Luttrell could not be reached for comment; Matt Calk declined a reporter's request to interview his mom.
Matt Calk says he expressed his concerns about Lobo to the Fraziers three times before ever contacting animal control. The Fraziers say they were never approached.
In addition to the two affidavits, Matt Calk and Lisa Luttrell called animal control to complain about Lobo at least three times in March 2007.
On March 26, 2007, Geiser at animal control signed a "notice of determination" that Lobo be declared a "dangerous dog," hand-delivered to the Fraziers the following week.
There are two legal definitions for a "dangerous dog," according to Chapter 822 of the Texas Health & Safety Code, the law governing regulation of animals.
The first is a dog that "makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury." The second, which was applied in Lobo's case, is a dog that "commits unprovoked acts...and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person."
The Fraziers appealed the determination, and the case landed in Masden's court. At an April 25, 2007, hearing, Masden sided with the Fraziers and instructed the neighbors to exchange phone numbers and work things out themselves.
Then the very next day, Matt Calk called animal control to report that Lobo was off his leash. The Fraziers dispute this.
In the early morning on May 1, 2007, the Calks again complained to animal control. This time, they said that Lobo had lunged at their son as he waited at his school bus stop, located directly in front of the Frazier home.
"The dog was barking crazy at him," says Jennifer Calk, who witnessed the incident while standing in front of her house still wearing pajamas. "I'm surprised he didn't pee his pants."
Later that month, the two families again appeared in Masden's court. The Calks' case was bolstered by resident Tina LeBeck, who reportedly testified that she had witnessed the bus stop incident and even came to the boy's rescue by using her car as a buffer against Lobo.
At this same May 30, 2007, hearing, Geiser testified that a local school-district employee had also complained to animal control about the incident.
"I spoke to somebody from the bus barn myself who said the bus driver was concerned that the dog was going to bite someone," says Geiser, who inexplicably did not document the complaint. "That one, we don't have a name. I don't know who called from the school district or when."
In fact, Jennifer Calk instructed the school bus driver to file a complaint with animal control even though the driver did not witness anything, according to Babette Eikenberg, assistant superintendent for human resources and administrative services at Montgomery Independent School District.
"We're not going to make a call to animal control unless we see it," says Eikenberg, who discussed the matter with the school district's transportation supervisor and the bus driver whose route includes 177 Lake Estates. "The driver never witnessed a dog chasing a child, so we didn't report it."
At the May 30, 2007, hearing, basing his decision at least partly on Geiser's now-disputed testimony, Masden declared Lobo a "dangerous dog" and set the appeal bond at $2,500 — an exorbitant amount, according to Don Feare, the animal-law professor.
"Oh Lord, that's ridiculous," Feare says, adding that the appeal bond was nearly three times the amount it would cost the county to house Lobo for three months.
At the hearing, Masden told the Fraziers he was "tired of dealing with this" and vowed that if there was "one more complaint about this animal getting out of his fence, I will have him put down," according to the Fraziers. Masden insists he never made these remarks, though they were confirmed by Geiser, who took notes.
The Fraziers did not appeal the "dangerous dog" ruling — a decision they later regretted.
"I never saw this escalating like this," Erik Frazier says.
According to state law, the owner of a dangerous dog must take the following steps: Register the dog with animal control, which usually includes an annual fee of about $50; restrain the dog at all times on a leash or in a secure enclosure; obtain liability insurance coverage of at least $100,000 to cover damages resulting from an attack; and comply with municipal and county requirements.
On September 11, 2007, Geiser signed a form acknowledging that the Fraziers were in full compliance with the law.
Then early last month, Lisa Luttrell filed complaints with animal control on a near-daily basis that Lobo was off his leash and roaming the neighborhood. Rosalyn Frazier disputes this.
On January 11, 2008, Masden issued a warrant to impound Lobo. Erik Frazier had been away that entire week visiting his ailing father in Iowa. On the morning he returned, a pair of animal control officers seized his dog.
On January 16, in a hearing that lasted maybe ten minutes, Masden ordered Lobo destroyed.
"I thought our petitions would open the judge's eyes," Erik Frazier says.
But Masden's mind was already made up.
"I was instructed they had petitions," Masden says. "I did not — no, I did not look at the petitions."
Matt Calk stands in his driveway one recent afternoon chain-smoking Camel Lights. Short and skinny with wispy blond hair, he leans back against an old Buick, his black-and-white sneaker pressed against the bumper. The air is bitterly cold, but he doesn't seem to notice.
"They think I'm trying to kill dogs in the neighborhood," he says, shaking his head. "When I feel threatened, I gotta react. It doesn't take my son getting bit for something to happen."
Matt and Jennifer Calk say they moved from Houston to 177 Lake Estates seeking a safe, peaceful community to raise their son.
"We came out here to get away from the sexual predators that are out there," Matt Calk says. "We really didn't want to be out here and be the outcasts."
Even with Lobo locked up during these last several weeks, the couple insisted on accompanying their son to his bus stop, and no longer let him outdoors unsupervised.
"We don't know how angry people are," says Jennifer Calk, pointing to the "Save Lobo" sign in her next-door neighbor's yard.
Her husband adds: "Residents here walk with sticks."
For years, it was not at all uncommon to see small packs of dogs roaming the subdivision's streets. Today some owners say they are no longer letting their dogs out, fearing retribution. Some are building fences.
"My dog Maggie is the real terror of the neighborhood," says 75-year-old Anna Thomas, who lives next door to the Fraziers. "Lobo is a breeze compared to my brat dog."
Thomas prominently displays a "Save Lobo" sign in her front yard, pointing out that she scrawled the words on the back of an old campaign poster to "Elect Matt Masden for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5."
Many of Masden's staunchest supporters have turned against him since his ruling on Lobo.
The Web site savelobo.com for weeks has served as a vibrant community forum, garnering hundreds of impassioned and frequently hostile comments. Many expressed love for Lobo and disgust with Masden and the Calk family.
"This judge is a total A**Hole and he needs to be euthanized along with the neighbor who complains not the dog," wrote one resident.
Another chimed in: "Let Lobo live peacefully with his loving family. If his psycho neighbor gets his way, it's only a matter of time before he comes after someone else's beloved pet."
Teri Suehs, a longtime former election judge and precinct chairman who lives on the other side of the Fraziers, voted for Masden and even hosted a meet-and-greet at her home back in October 2006 to support his candidacy. Now she questions his judgment.
"The first thing he does is screw up the neighborhood," says Suehs, who is particularly upset that Masden did not bother to glance at the petitions of community support. "Everybody loves Lobo. This whole thing's all wrong. Why would you euthanize a dog for barking?"
Two days before county officials seized Lobo, Suehs heard what sounded like a firecracker blast across the street, which quickly filled with police cars. She later learned a petty domestic dispute had turned deadly.
Standing in her yard smoking a Marlboro Light, 38-year-old Christy Moore says that night her older brother shot and killed her new boyfriend for deleting some programs from her computer.
"First my house becomes a murder scene and now they want to kill Lobo," says Moore. "I don't think there's ever been anything that's happened like this in this neighborhood."
Lobo spent three weeks in county custody quarantined in a four-by-16-foot steel kennel. He was never petted or played with or allowed outside.
His name was not included on the animal shelter kennel card. For those three weeks, he was Animal No. A082342.
When Erik Frazier visited Lobo, the kennel was filled with feces. He learned from talking with a county employee that many of the other dogs warehoused there were involved in bloody attacks.
"The boxer beside him tackled a kid on Halloween and ate his face off," Erik Frazier says. "Every dog in there is vicious. Lobo doesn't fit in."
Last Wednesday, when the Fraziers received temporary custody of Lobo, they trotted him around to their neighbors and thanked them for their support. Rosalyn Frazier says she made a point to pass in front of the Calk residence, but the family wasn't home.
The Calks and Lisa Luttrell could not be reached for comment on Lobo's release back into their neighborhood.
Rosalyn Frazier says Lobo lost as much as 15 pounds while in county custody.
"That first night he came home, he just ate and ate and ate and ate like he hadn't eaten at all," she says.
Last week, the Fraziers suspended their Web site and Geiser deleted his MySpace account. Still, Geiser denies any wrongdoing.
"It's my personal Web page. I have not used any county equipment for the page. I don't know what the fascination is with it."
Constable Holifield says the investigations into Geiser remain open.
Holifield says the Lobo case marked the first time he had ever intervened to save a dog from being euthanized when the owners had fully complied with state law.
Last week, assistant county attorney Ray Johnson and the Fraziers' attorney, Dan Madeley, negotiated a deal to return full custody of Lobo back to his owners.
On February 5, in a hearing that lasted four minutes, Montgomery County Court Judge Jerry Winfree made it official.
"I'm just so glad it's over," said Rosalyn Frazier after the hearing.
Holifield insists that neither the discovery of Geiser's MySpace page nor the heated comments posted on savelobo.com had anything to do with it.
"As far as being threatened or coerced or blackmailed into releasing Lobo, that's not the case," he says.
So how is it that a beloved family dog that never bit or attacked anybody was almost destroyed? Where exactly did the screwup occur?
Did Masden, the justice of the peace, overreach in his decision to euthanize Lobo?
"It's always easy to armchair-quarterback anything anybody does," Holifield says. "I will never put myself in a position to judge a judge."
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Was Geiser too hasty or somehow biased in issuing the order to impound Lobo?
"Animal control sometimes gets caught up in neighborhood squabbles, but our goal is not to choose sides," Holifield says. "They get drawn into it because one party or another will use them to get even with somebody.
"Did that happen in this particular case? I can't say."
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subset: commoncrawl


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Mission-based Pirate Cat Radio has been through some tough times. Last year, they were fined $10,000 by the FCC and forced to limit their streams to the internet exclusively.
Now they have an unique opportunity to take the "Pirate" out of "Pirate Cat" and get a legitimate FM license. Yup, they want to become a real, legal radio station. Does this mean we'll be hearing more Red Hot Chili Peppers on their playlists? Because, let me tell you, I just don't get enough of those guys on the radio.
The only obstacle is an astronomical fee of $60,000. In two weeks. If they had a soundboard, this is where they would cue the reverse slide whistle.
They're going to have to sell a shit-ton of coffee to get there, but you can help them out on their kickstarter campaign. Pledging $25 gets you a T-shirt and a sticker. So if you like what they do, help them out and wish them luck.
[More info at Pirate Cat Radio]


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Photography That Looks Like Old Master Paintings
Photography Inspired by Old Master Oil Paintings
Photography Inspired by Old Master Oil Paintings
We were floored when we first saw artist Paulette Tavormina's still-life photographs featuring fruits and vegetables. Modeled after 17th century Old Master paintings, Tavormina uses a modern medium — photography instead of oils — to capture a similar look, and the effect is nothing short of spectacular. "I have long been fascinated by the magic of everyday objects, the majesty and delicacy of nature, and the world culinary delight," says Tavormina. "I have blended decades of photography and food styling with a love of 17th century Old Master paintings to create these still-life photographs."
Previously a prop and food stylist in Hollywood, Paulette is a largely self-taught photographer who collects the "props" for her photographs and creates the tableaus herself. We can easily imagine a trio of these in a kitchen or dining room — or anywhere, really.
The following photographs are part of a solo exhibition starting on March 14 at San Francisco's March. They are available for purchase by calling 415-931-7433.


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Ford is losing a lot for the 2012 rally season. Their lead driver Mikko Hirvonen is defecting to archrival Citroën and Ford's longtime sponsor, Abu Dhabi, is leaving, too. At least Ford has a pretty new paintjob for its WRC Fiesta, courtesy of Castrol Oil.
The big rivalry in rally for the past five or six years has been between Ford's perpetually-second Mikko Hirvonen and Citroën's 8-time world champion Sebastian Loeb. Now that Hirvonen is leaving for Citroën, Ford will have to rely on their number two driver, Jari-Matti Latvala (who came in fourth in the standings last year) and Petter Solberg, who signed a one-year contract with Ford. Only time will tell if Latvala's aggressive driving style and Ford's new Castrol sponsorship will be enough to defeat the all-star combination of Citroën, Loeb and now Hirvonen.


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S&P Dow Jones Indices launched on Thursday an index series to help defined contribution plan sponsors screen and monitor target-date funds.
The series includes a set of multi-asset class indexes and provides separate comparisons for "to" glidepaths and "through" glidepaths.
"As defined contribution plans become increasingly important, we are excited to augment our S&P Target Date Indices lineup to help sponsors take into account both market and longevity risk sensitivity in their fund evaluation process," Craig Lazzara, senior director for S&P Dow Jones Indices, said in a statement.
"In equities, we have two styles: Growth and Value," Lazzara told AdvisorOne on Thursday. "In the target-date world, we have To and Through. We can identify in the survey [funds] that seem to behave in a distinctly To fashion, those that behave in a distinctly Through fashion. To and Through became the basis of subsidiary that shows the specialization of the providers and fund families. They give you as a sponsor or as a target-date fund provider, a more precise way of benchmarking what the fund is doing."
The new To and Through styles are a subset of the larger target-date series that has been available since about 2007, Lazzara added. Data is compiled annually through a survey of SEC filings by fund families to determine what asset classes are represented.
If assets classes come up frequently enough, S&P looks at what percentage ownership the fund family has of that class. Eligible asset classes include U.S. large-cap, U.S. mid-cap, U.S. small-cap, international equities, emerging markets, U.S. REITs, core fixed income, cash equivalents, TIPS and high-yield corporate bonds.


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Bit of a damp squib, today's day session as Wozniacki and del Potro both progressed to the semi-finals without playing a whole match.
Azarenka played a hotly-contested first two games with Wozniacki, went down an immediate break after having chances to break in the first game, and then was 30-0 down in the third when she pulled up mid-point as her left leg buckled under her. She hobbled off court, returned after an injury timeout and, limping, finished out the game. Her coach Samuel Sumyck advised her to "be wise" and retire, and she did. Really sad, a great disappointment and a worrying sign for the rest of the season, given that a left thigh problem troubled her for much of 2010 and prevented her getting any rhythm. Apparently the injury is to the left hip flexor. Get better soon, Vika. I'm sadfacing all over the place for you.
It was particularly poignant after Wozniacki brought a Japanese flag on to the court and asked for a minute's silence to mark the events there, apparently something she and Vika had cooked up together.
I know I disparage Wozniacki a lot, but really, the WTA couldn't hope for two nicer women than her and Vika.
Hot on the heels of that particular crapfest, Tommy Robredo was forced to pull out due to what I've heard reported as a left abductor injury, which was troubling him during his previous match with Querrey and reportedly has been a worry for some time. Robredo said he has a strain in two different places and is risking a tear. Absolutely right for him to pull out, but it's a shame – for him, for the ticket-holders, the fans, everybody. I hope he recovers quickly.
About the only person it doesn't entirely suck for is JMDP, who can probably go back to bed now as he is in the semi-finals, which should be happy but really isn't under these circumstances. He will play the winner of the Nadal-Karlovic match later on tonight.


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The Serpent King returns in the most feature packed Warriors game yet. The character count has been cranked up to over 90 legendary warriors.
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After years of waiting, FCA has just unveiled another teasing set of amazing photos of the upcoming Grand Wagoneer that will be debuted next week.... read more
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Once a trend – always a trend, even if it comes to a blackout treatment. The latest – and the most luxurious – blackout package for RAM 2500 and 3500... read more
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Between two trim levels – Turbo and S – one may choose something else. Porsche has rolled out 2021 Porsche Cayenne Coupe and SUV in the great GTS treatment,... read more
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'Orange is the new Black', the Blue Oval said, adding two vibrant jaw-dropping color choice to the list of exterior color versions for the 2021 Ford Mustang... read more
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Porsche is ready to reveal a new speedy toy for gentlemen racers with the launching of the new 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport. Aimed to replace 2015... read more


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RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions
The editors at RoadsideAmerica.com assign a rating to each attraction. Users can filter places based on ratings. Ratings,
categorized from "Mildly Interesting" to "The Best," were determined using a variety of factors and criteria. Ratings are subject to the mood swings of the editors and may change.
More about RoadsideAmerica.com's Ratings
Low online rates for motels, hotels, inns:
Mcafee, Newark, Atlantic City, Absecon, Mount Laurel, Elizabeth, North Bergen, Secaucus, Jersey City, Parsippany, Edison, Wildwood
... reserve a room now!


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In VM1 you will study the models and theories of functional biomechanics as viewed from Barral's innovative approach.
Course Highlights:
Jean-Pierre Barral's Visceral Manipulation is not just another manual therapy that we add to our work, but rather it is a "style" of communicating with the body. We are doing all of these techniques, not to FIX something in the body but rather to 'wake up a little something' as Jean-Pierre Barral says over and over again.
Barral says, "What we are wanting to do is to give the body a clear message." "To be specific in a short time." He says these things over and over. These are his messages of proprioceptive communication—his unique style and approach to working with patients. To have and hold this deep appreciation of the messages of the body. To hear him say, "Ahh you know, you can fool yourself with your stories; only the tissues know."


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Water sports, cell phones or cameras don?t mix, until now. DryCASE promises to allow full use of your device while totally protecting it from the water you love. The crystal clear waterproof case is clear on both sides and flexible enough to allow both texting and picture taking while keeping your camera phone bone dry.
DryCASE launched their product line at CES 2012… unlike so called "water resistant" or "water repellent" devices, the manufacturer guarantees true "waterproof" seal such as one on diving watches.
Enjoy music at the beach? Slip your MP3 into the case, and use the 3 way headphone jack to plug in a microphone or DryCASE?s waterproof stereo headphones. Then, kick up your feet. Even sand can?t get into the case to do damage. With the neoprene armband attached to your arm, you can even take a run through the waves.
If you?d rather kick back and finish that mystery novel, just put your iPad, Kindle or Nook into a larger DryCASE container for e-readers. If you are prone to read and fall asleep in a warm bathtub, you might consider using the DryCASE at home as well. It?s cheap insurance at $59.99.
At CES, DryCASE displayed a phone safely encased and submerged under water. The company is confidant no liquid will seep into the package. They have more than 10 years experience making waterproof medical covers. If they can protect a surgical incision, they can protect your equipment. Their secret is a vacuum seal that locks water out.
DryCASE claims they are not product specific, in other words you can order the phone case for only $39.95 and be assured it will fit almost any sized phone, camera or MP player at 4.25 inches wide (10.8 cm) and 7.5 inches long (16.5 cm). Still not sure your off brand qualifies? Then call or email them and ask before ordering.
The DryCASE tablet holder also is made to fit most tablets, e-readers and large touch pad devices at 9 inches wide (22.86 cm) and 13 inches long (33.02 cm). Both cases come with a money back guarantee. However, because the company has no way of knowing if their product was in use if you claim your device got wet, they will not replace a damaged device. They state that when used properly, no way water will get to your phone or tablet.
So go ahead and enjoy your water sports without worry about your electronics getting wet.


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Search over 1,200 BBQ websites
|So Cal Meat Up!
One of the primary goals of the SoCal Meatup groups is share this knowledge and experience. Ultimately, this will culminate into holding a few backyard competitions which helps start up teams gain competition experience and confidence before they jump int
|Barbeque Junction
Barbeque Junction is a only BBQ Supply Store! Our focus is to bring you a one stop shop providing the best BBQ rubs, Sauces, and Equipment that is out there while making some long life friends along the way.
|Backyard BBQ Studs of America
A website dedicated to Backyard BBQ enthusiasts that don't want to do anything other than be the neighborhood stud and cook the absolute best BBQ they can.
|Black's Thick N' Sticky BBQ Infusion
Our sauce is a new product made available online and in retail stores in New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, and Wyoming. We also offer rubs and seasonings related to bbq. All our products use only natural ingredients to infuse your bbq with a bold flavor.
|Memphis Marinades
We have marinades for Beef, Pork, Lamb, & Chicken. International Award Winners, All Natural Ingredients, & Kosher


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|English ▼
|PayPal - Credit Card (Recommended method)
You can safely use your Credit Card or PayPal funds to upgrade.
Instantaneous payments (except Paypal eChecks which take several days to clear).
|Wire Transfer
You can wire us the payment through your bank or using your home banking.
Only possible for upgrades of 6 or 12 months.
The payment can take several hours to few days to be verified.
|Western Union
You can pay via Western Union at most Post Offices (www.westernunion.com).
Only possible for upgrades of 6 or 12 months.
The payment can take several hours to few days to be verified.
|Phone (DaoPay)
You can make the payments using your phone, calling to a premium rate number.
Only possible for upgrades of 1 or 3 months.
Instantaneous payments.
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Upgrade using a voucher/promo code.
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Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. accused Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele of "penis envy" because one of his aides lambasted him in a newspaper column for staying silent on proposed legislation to cut pay and funding for County Board members. Ok then!
"Sounds like a bit of penis envy by Abele in responding to Bice ([Abele aide Brendan] Conway's the straw man here, you know that)," Clarke wrote on Right Wisconsin. "Abele is not used to taking a back seat to anyone, especially some black conservative sheriff."
Clarke admitted that he doesn't get along with the mayor, the police chief, and others, but apparently this particular criticism went too far.
"Abele's true colors are revealed in this e-mail," Clarke wrote. "When asked he continually looks into the camera of the media with that (expletive) eatin' grin of his and tells them that by cutting my budget, laying off deputies and usurping the constitutional authority of the sheriff that his actions are not personal. Oh really? This e-mail to Bice tells a different story."
Abele called for civility in an email to No Quarter today:
"The Governor and all County Executives, Mayors and Sheriffs across the state are dealing with challenging budgets," Abele wrote. "We find the best solutions to tough problems when we work with each other professionally and treat each other with civility and respect. As always, I wish the Sheriff all the best."
Well played. Hasn't Clarke watched House of Cards? Get one of your aides to subtly suggest Abele has an STD or something.
Image via MoniV / Shutterstock.com.


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The Old Oak Dojo is an experiment in self-organization. Most of our events are offered and hosted by friends in our community. If you'd like to inquire about having your event at the Dojo, please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Events for January 19, 2020
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8:00 am
Internal Martial Arts
Instructor Peng Shuishen, from Shanghai, China, was tudi (disciple) to Xie Wenqiu who was tudi to Shun Shao Fu. He hosts an open practice based on Xin Yi, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and other Chinese martial arts from 8-10 AM on Sundays.Find out more »


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The critically acclaimed series returns for a new chapter, offering a new story, a new more...
The critically acclaimed series returns for a new chapter, offering a new story, a new city and new mysteries to unlock as you step into the shoes of Booker Dewitt, an ex-Pinkerton agent tasked with rescuing a mysterious young woman…
Key features of Bioshock Infinite on PlayStation 3:
An exciting new story, set in the floating American city of Columbia
Who is the mysterious Elizabeth?
Take on the city with new and returning gameplay elements
Face and defeat the Heavy Hitters
Dare you tackle the new 1999 Mode?
Welcome to Columbia, a fantastic floating city designed as a symbol of American Exceptionalism and national pride. That was before the Boxer Rebellion, when the city fired on innocent people. Columbia has since been disavowed by America, and become a symbol of xenophobia and hatred, a flying bogeyman dreaded around the world.
Columbia is now being run by the Founders, a group of self-appointed rulers, nationalist and religious zealots bent on keeping Columbia 'pure'. But opposing them are the Vox Populi, a rag-tag resistance movement hoping to overthrow the Founders and restore all rights to all the citizens of Columbia.
Thrown into this turmoil, you take on the role of Booker Dewitt, a disgraced ex-Pinkerton agent taking on a job that will clear you of "old debts" and maybe restore your name and reputation. The job? Journey into Columbia, rescue a girl named Elizabeth from the tower she's been held in for 12 years and return her to New York. Buy Bioshock Infinite is a game where your actions have consequences, and where your very presence in the city will cause it to erupt into chaos the choices you make in you mission will have long-lasting effects.
But who is Elizabeth and why has she been held captive for so long? This mysterious young girl is equal parts sweet, funny and even scary, possessing the ability to open rifts to alternate planes of existence when she sees 'tears' in the fabric of reality. These powers will come in handy as you fight your way out of the city, as she summons everything from ammo crates to health pick-ups into existence, making the environments and combat more flexible. Elizabeth can also fend off foes on her own, too!
Fans of previous Bioshock games will welcome a mix of new and returning gameplay features in Bioshock Infinite. Like the earlier games, this is a first-person experience where you will use a combination of weapons, gear and psychokinetic abilities. You'll still scavenge for supplies and audio diaries, and ingest tonics to achieve powers like spraying fire, zapping electricity, and turning enemies against each other.
But there are some exciting new elements on top of this. The combat is more dynamic than previous games, thanks to Columbia offering wider open spaces than the confines of Rapture. You can only hold two weapons at a time, causing you to think more tactically in the long-term, and more reactive in the heat of a firefight. Plus there will be new powers to uncover, and you'll be able to zip around the city thanks to the magnetic Skyhook, offering a rollercoaster-like experience and adding a new level to combat. Bioshock Infinite is also the first Bioshock game where your character speaks, helping to develop your relationship with Elizabeth.
Also making their debut in Bioshock Infinite are the Heavy Hitters, mini-bosses to defeat, and each representing the dark heart of the people running Columbia. The Handymen are robotic monsters with oversized hands like those of porcelain dolls – and human hearts and heads. The Motorized Patriots are supposed to be guides for the city, but instead reveal heavy weapons behind their George Washington appearance. The foppish Boys of Silence are blind, but have superhuman hearing and boast a terrible scream. And the Siren can revive defeated enemies during battle, making you have to choose who to focus your attack upon.
For the more hardcore gamers out there, Bioshock Infinite offers a tough but rewarding challenge – 1999 Mode. This old-school way of playing harkens back to a time where games had limited health and resources, and when decisions you made were permanent, and challenges you to play Bioshock Infinite this way. Do you think you have what it takes?


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QS World University Rankings - 2012
Welcome to the QS World University Rankings 2012/13 - among the most trusted university rankings available. View the world's leading universities, compare them on different criteria, and create your own personalized ranking based on the indicators that matter most to you. For the most recent version of the QS World University Rankings, click here.


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I love hearing people's success stories about switching to a vegan diet … how they lost the weight that had chained them down for years, or overcame their battle with diabetes or cancer by turning to a whole-foods, plant-based diet.
But more than those stories, I love to hear how people feel – perhaps for the first time in their lives – like they have found spirituality through their diet. I am one of those people.
While it may sound far-fetched that spirituality can come from your diet, it actually makes perfect sense. When you start learning about the vegan diet, you'll eventually learn about how the animals we call "food" essentially live their lives in concentration camps called "factory farms." The cruel and inhumane conditions that only end for these animals upon their slaughter touch in many of us a deep-rooted sense of humanity that we may not have known existed. A sense of what's right and what's wrong springs forward, and we know beyond a shadow of doubt that we will never again contribute to the senseless cruelty and death that befalls millions of animals every year.
And as we go forward into this new vegan life, many of us realize over time what has really happened … we have come to recognize the preciousness of life – all life in its many forms – and we become a steward of life. We realize that some greatness, call it God or whatever you want, runs through all life equally, and a human is not "better than" or "worthier than" or "more important than" a dog, a cow or a chicken. We may have more cognitive abilities, but it doesn't make us any more worthy of life.
Interestingly, reverence for life is at the heart of Buddhism, which tells us that no sentient being should have to suffer, and that our mission on earth is to reduce the suffering of others. Christianity, Judaism and Islam have love and peace at the heart of their doctrines – how better can one show love and peace to another creature than to choose not to let it live an entire life of hell, just for your lunchtime pleasure?
So, whether we go vegan for health reasons, animal cruelty reasons or environmental reasons, many of us discover perhaps the best benefit of all – one that we never expected in a million years – that we have found God through our choice of diet. We see it in the eyes of a cow, feel it when we pet a sheep, hear it in the peep of a baby chick. And we know we have come home, to a place where love is at our core.
"Wings cannot carry you to God.
Only love can carry you there."
~ Rumi


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Two Trillion Tons (download)
Parody of Sixteen Tons as heard on the Lars Larson Show on Westwood One Radio Network. Lyrics by Jim Gossett and Lars Larson. Vocals by David Ford. Produced by Nick Archer.
Play it
Obama got elected, now there is no end;
The Democrats wanna tax and spend,
Tax and spend us into bankruptcy,
With a tax-cheat runnin' our Treasury.
You spend two trillion bucks, and what do you get?
No recovery but deeper in debt.
St. Peter better call me 'fore it's too late;
I owe my soul to the welfare state!
Obama is a leftist, as he can't deny;
'Govern from the center,' was a great big lie.
Karl Marx Manifesto is his playbook,
And you and me soon will be on the hook.
You spend two trillion bucks, in unsecured cash;
Soon the dollar will be pure trash.
Our bond holders we have to appease;
We owe our soul to the Red Chinese.
Obama and his people are makin' a mess,
Bernanke's fired up the printing press,
Printin' money that don't exist,
No wonder America is gettin' (peeved?)
You spend two trillion bucks,
They ain't done yet!
Obama and Pelosi are pilin' up the debt.
I work hard for the money, this I don't deserve…
We owe our souls to the Federal Reserve!


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No observation
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- >5 mm
The location marker is placed on Champ du Feu.
This animation shows the cloud cover as observed by satellite. High clouds and clouds with vertical development are displayed in white, low clouds and fog in grey. This map uses infrared satellite telemetry to calculate the temperature of the clouds. Low clouds and fog are difficult to distinguish from ground temperatures and might therefore be inaccurate.
Meteosat satellite images for Europe are updated in real-time every 5 minutes. Precipitation is estimated from radar and satellites. At night precipitation estimates from satellites are less accurate than during daytime. Orange crosses mark places where lightning was detected (over Europe).
Copyright 2020 EUMETSAT / meteoblue. Lightning data provided by nowcast.
Radar and precipitation nowcast for Champ du Feu
The location marker is placed on Champ du Feu. This animation shows the precipitation radar for the last 1 hour. Drizzle or light snow fall might be invisible for the radar. Precipitation intensity is colour coded, ranging from light blue to heavy purple.
Current weather situation and warnings
EUMETNET – MeteoAlarm
Source: Météo-France
Time delays between this website and the www.meteoalarm.eu website are possible, for the most up to date information about alert levels as published by the participating National Meteorological Services please use www.meteoalarm.eu.


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Our interior home decor collection includes a wide range of wholesale home accessories, statement decorator pieces, practical novelty ceramics and homewares, as well as some good old-fashioned novelty gifts. The interior of the home is a place where the inhabitants can make a mark, stamp their individuality, and express their personalities.
As with many of our categories, the wholesale interior decorations group provides a broad set of collections featuring extensive product ranges, so you are sure to find something for all. Whether you have a seaside gift shop or a trendy home furnishing boutique, you will find interior decor items that fit perfectly into your product range without stretching your budget.
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(42 Items)


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New 2020 Chevrolet Equinox LT FRONT WHEEL DRIVE SUV
- Stock: M201620
Basic Info
Exterior:Cajun Red Tintcoat
Drivetrain:FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
Interior:Jet Black, Premium cloth seat trim
Engine:1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder engine
Fuel Efficiency:26 CITY / 31 HWY
Key Features
Android Auto
Apple CarPlay
Backup Camera
Lane Departure Warning
Lane keep assist
Power Seats
Xenon Headlights
Contact a Top Rated Specialist
Bill Berlese
Sales Consultant
Paul Coppola
Sales Consultant
L.J. Fawcett
Sales Consultant
Bill Berlese
Sales Consultant
Nov 30, 2020
In all my years of leasing cars, Dealing with Bill...
In all my years of leasing cars, Dealing with Bill Berlese at Atlantic Chevrolet was By Far, the best customer service experience from a car dealership.
Nov 28, 2020
L.j. Fawcett is Awesome to deal with and very helpful. I...
L.j. Fawcett is Awesome to deal with and very helpful. I would recommend any of my friends and family to Atlantic Chevrolet. I'm pleased with my purchase. Thanks Atlantic Chevrolet.
Nov 22, 2020
Very pleasant atmosphere. The whole staff is friendly and...
Very pleasant atmosphere. The whole staff is friendly and works hard to close the deal that works for you. This is my third Traverse, second from Atlantic Chevy Bayshore
Nov 03, 2020
The service at Atlantic is always top notch! Bill...
The service at Atlantic is always top notch! Bill continues to provide great service and makes the process seamless and easy. I appreciate all the help!
Nov 01, 2020
Stand up guy from beginning to end. Listened to my needs...
Stand up guy from beginning to end. Listened to my needs and met them. In 2 hrs had what I wanted & drove away in my new 2021 Colorado ZR2
Paul Coppola
Sales Consultant
Dec 03, 2020
The staff was friendly and attentive to my needs. I spoke...
The staff was friendly and attentive to my needs. I spoke to them about what kind of car i was looking for and my financial status and they made it work. Great team!
Dec 02, 2020
So happy with my new ride. Paul went above and beyond to...
So happy with my new ride. Paul went above and beyond to make it happen. The finance manager that helped us was also amazing and so friendly and kind. They were able to get me out of my over mileage lease and into a fresh new vehicle
Nov 29, 2020
Very nice and generous. Lost of different cars for you...
Very nice and generous. Lost of different cars for you choose, prices, colors. Thank you for your help and support, thank you very much. Thank
Nov 28, 2020
L.j. Fawcett is Awesome to deal with and very helpful. I...
L.j. Fawcett is Awesome to deal with and very helpful. I would recommend any of my friends and family to Atlantic Chevrolet. I'm pleased with my purchase. Thanks Atlantic Chevrolet.
Nov 16, 2020
The dealership was a pleasure to work with. They provided...
The dealership was a pleasure to work with. They provided a friendly atmoshpere throughout the whole car buying experience. Big thank you to Paul and the team for getting me into a new car.
L.J. Fawcett
Sales Consultant
Dec 02, 2020
Working with LJ was easy! He helped find a vehicle to...
Working with LJ was easy! He helped find a vehicle to meet my family's needs.no matter what I threw at him he made it work.
Nov 28, 2020
L.j. Fawcett is Awesome to deal with and very helpful. I...
L.j. Fawcett is Awesome to deal with and very helpful. I would recommend any of my friends and family to Atlantic Chevrolet. I'm pleased with my purchase. Thanks Atlantic Chevrolet.
Nov 25, 2020
I recommend you work with LJ if you buy a car from here....
I recommend you work with LJ if you buy a car from here. Guy is a true professional and he provides excellent service and follow up. Highly recommend him.
Nov 23, 2020
L.J. Was very easy to talk too. Was very polite and...
L.J. Was very easy to talk too. Was very polite and clearly wanted to help. Definitely will recommend to friends, family and co workers
Nov 22, 2020
Walked in looking for a $7k car and left with a $25k car....
Walked in looking for a $7k car and left with a $25k car. Felt very comfortable, excellent salesman, seems like they went the extra mile to make things happen. Will definitely be back.
Patrick Turturro
Sales Consultant
Nov 29, 2020
Wonderful service and Patrick went above and beyond to...
Wonderful service and Patrick went above and beyond to make sure we were put into the car we wanted I would recommend my friends and family
Nov 29, 2020
Pat was great to deal with as always. Knowledgeable,,...
Pat was great to deal with as always. Knowledgeable,, courteous, willing to answer my questions. I felt like he wanted me to be happy about the truck I was buying and the whole process. This was the third vehicle I bought from him at Atlantic!!
Nov 29, 2020
Patrick was awesome! This was the first time I was buying...
Patrick was awesome! This was the first time I was buying a car on my own and he made the process very easy. The whole staff was very friendly also.
Nov 29, 2020
Awesome experience. We came in knowing what car we were...
Awesome experience. We came in knowing what car we were interested in , salesman Patrick made it a smooth easy transaction from test drive to driving off the lot. We even left my driver's license at the dealer and he DROVE it to our house after we left! They also gave us a discount for my husband's veteran status which was amazing. Highly recommend! Great cars and great staff.
Sep 15, 2019
Customer Service Nightmare
We came to Atlantic Chevrolet in May 2019 to test drive a 2016 Malibu we found on Autotrader. The salesman we dealt with was Patrick Turturro. We loved the car but while we were test driving it, I noticed it was filthy; there was dog hair everywhere, used faux-eyelashes in the passenger door and the seats were sticky — this car was obviously never cleaned before it was listed for sale as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle. Despite this we decided to buy the car and we were assured that it would be thoroughly cleaned while we took care of the paperwork. Driving the car off the lot after 9 pm, I did not notice until the next day the car was barely cleaned — there were even dirty socks under the seat. On top of the car being sold like that, we were missing the extra key (which Patrick promised to mail to us), the cargo net and the all-weather floor mats — all items included on the Autotrader listing. My fiancee returned the next week to Atlantic Chevrolet to have the car properly cleaned and to pick up the missing key, cargo net, and all-weather mats, all of which Patrick assured me would be ready. What a waste of a morning, Patrick was completely dishonest, he did not have any of the items ready and even tried to tell me that "all-weather mats" are the same as the carpeted mats included with the car, which is a flat out lie and I doubt he would try telling a man that. The car was again barely cleaned and as an apology for having none of the promised items ready, Patrick gave me a $20 gas card. I now realize he had no intention of ever giving my fiancee the missing items and gave me the run around, hoping the gas card would get me to leave quietly. Since then Patrick has avoided our phone calls. Each time we call (5 times minimum), we are transferred several times, eventually to an empty desk, where the phone rings and rings. Trying to escalate this to a sales manager has proved to be equally pointless. When we met with the finance manager, we decided to extend our warranty just in case we had any issues with the vehicle. I am glad we did based off the issues we had with the car listed below. When we brought the car into service at another Chevy dealer, we were told by their service manager that each time we use the warranty, we have to pay a $100 deductible. This was never mentioned by Patrick or the finance manager. In addition to the missing items, the car has had to be serviced FIVE TIMES, we have only owned the car for 4 months. About 2 weeks after purchasing the car the issues began; the sunshade stopped working, there was a coolant issue, a rattling sound coming from the dashboard and the seal around the windshield had to be fixed. We are still having issues with the carpet coming out from under the door paneling, as we get into the car we have to tuck the carpeting back underneath. When buying certified pre-owned, this should not happen, as you are paying for the peace of mind that the dealership did their due diligence, this is obviously not the case at Atlantic Chevrolet. I would not recommend this dealership, their customer service is abysmal, but above all, avoid working with Patrick Turturro. All in all, this experience with Atlantic Chevrolet had made me feel like we were taken advantage of.
Ben Kowal
Sales Consultant
Nov 29, 2020
We leased or purchased 10+ vehicles from Atlantic many of...
We leased or purchased 10+ vehicles from Atlantic many of them with Ben as our sales person each and every time he was professional, knowledgeable and accommodating l believe he was able to get us the best possible price for our wants and needs.
Sep 12, 2019
Always willing to go that extra mile!!
Billy, Ben, Jeff and all the staff at Atlantic are always looking to give you exactly what your looking for at the best possible price!
Mar 18, 2019
Liars. Deceitful business
STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE !! The people here are LIARS. They say one thing and do another. They just Want Your $. They give the Chevrolet Brand a BAD NAME. Horrible experience. I will NEVER or will ANYONE I can tell go there again I'll be taking any and all Legal action against this dealer. Get the message !
Nick Sciarrotto
Sales Consultant
Aug 27, 2019
Horrible service department
I purchased my car in May of 2018. In September my signal wasn't working right so I brought the car in for service. It was the the start of the worst service ever! MY car was damaged numerous times by the service department. Since this time I have dealt with more people because it seems people come and go there often. Atlantic really needs to step up their training and make sure things like this do not happen. My car has been several times and each time something new was damaged. Such a shame!
Mar 07, 2019
Paul and Greg did fine job in sell me my MALIBU. I am very happy. I have been using your dealership since 2013. I owned 2009 which was serviced at your dealership. Dennis and Tony who are service writers treated me very well. Thank you to all.
Jul 16, 2018
Buyer beware!! HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!!!
Atlantic Chevy does not stand behind their costumers!! So disappointed in their management, and their regard for the safety of their costumers!!! I purchased a 2018 traverse, it has engine issues, and has been in service multiple times, GM agreed to buy this vehicle back, however the dealership keeps giving me the runaround, and out right lied to GM finacial saying that this vehicle was never a Lemmon! If it was "never a Lemmon" why would GM have agree to repurchase it??? So disappointed in the quality of this dealership and management! They need to make this right!
Dec 28, 2017
Leased 2018 Equinox
Our lease was up on our 2016 Malibu. We went in to see Nick Sciarrotto. This is our 3rd lease with Atlantic. We have never had any issues at all. It was a pleasure doing business with Nick once again. We got a great deal and left the dealer with our brand new 2018 Equinox. Thank you Nick!
Dec 26, 2017
Excellent and professional
Excellent experience. Called Nick at Atlantic Chevy and he was very professional and very easy to deal with. He was not pushy and knew the ins and outs of the truck and able to answer all my questions.
Lorena Orellana
Sales Consultant
May 01, 2018
Worst Dealer Experience
I left after they could not make me a deal Saturday but was called to return Monday (last day of the month) with a promise to get me a deal. I had my son with me and after another TWO hours we finally settled, gave my deposit, waited another hour then was sucker punched by the rude finance person who changed the price, payments and terms. Unbelievable. I was shocked and so upset. Wasted a total of 6 hours here and was discarded like garbage with a sarcastic 'have a nice day!!!!' as I left. Now I have to fight for my deposit back. I am stunned at the way they handled my business. Completely unprofessional. Since this forum requires you pick a salesperson please don't let this be a reflection on my salesperson-she worked hard.
Jan 10, 2018
Muy amable
;) Thanks Lorena;);).people like you are very hard to find but when we find a great and very nice person like you it's great because then we can communicate better to make a good choice thank you so much for everything you are the best and by the way we love the new car and I think it's Very convenient for me and my family thanks again :)
Jan 01, 2018
Very pleasant experience overall
Lorena Orellana was very understanding with my circumstance and worked with me throughout the entire process until we were able to come to agreement on the lease of Silverado. Which BTW is my 3rd such lease, 2 previously from Smithtown dealership. Smithtown wasn't cooperative at all so I went to Atlantic where Lorena took care of me. She was fantastic. Thank you again Lorena
Dec 24, 2017
Best experience at a dealership in a long time!
My father and I came in to take a look at the new 2018 Chevy Equinox- and before we knew it, we were driving off! We were helped by Lorena and Lou- very lucky to say the least. The dealership was very clean, everyone was friendly and they made everything hassle free; There were no games and they were transparent about everything. Thank you to Lou and Lorena, we will recommend you guys to our friend and family!
Dec 12, 2017
amazing affordable and great customer service
My experience at Atlantic Chevrolet surpassed my expectations. My husband and I were just shopping for a car are salesperson Lorena was fantastic she showed us a beautiful Impala and with the help of her sales manager Ray he assured that we would get the best price that we were comfortable with. I would highly recommend this dealership to anyone I have been to several others and didn't have the experience that I had with the caring and attention given to us
Joseph Carnes
Sales Consultant
Jun 20, 2020
Joe was fast, knowledable and professional. He helped us...
Joe was fast, knowledable and professional. He helped us get into a beautiful car. It's the little things that make the car buying experience worth it, and Joe goes the extra mile. I highly recommend using him again!
Apr 04, 2019
Retired teachers, Stay Away!!!!!!
Just picked up our 2019 Chevy Traverse a few days ago. Our salesperson was Joseph. I cant say enough good things about Joseph. He was respectful and very honest with us. Because of Joseph, we decided to proceed with the lease. Joseph is truly an asset to this dealership. Also, Jim was most helpful and for that we are very appreciative. All of the good things I stated about Joseph & Jim do not apply to the dealership. We asked about a credit for teachers. My husband is retired after teaching 30+ years. He currently works for a tutoring agency teaching g homebound students from Sayville UFSD, Bayport UFSD & Pat-Med UFSD. They asked for a paystub which we provided. This discount would have saved us $15 a month on our lease. We arrived to sign the papers for the lease & sat with Joseph as we turned in our old lease. We were then told to sit with Kenny, the finance person. Kenny informed us (5 minutes before we were to sign for our new lease) that we would not get this education credit because my husband was retired and the would not recognize his current teaching assignments. He was ver apologetic and said he would speak with the managers sitting in the booth. These faceless people have no interaction with the customers. They decided that we were not entitled to the credit and that was that! $15 a month is not going to make it break anyone but I can tell you that for the next 35 months everytime we pay our lease, we will think about how he was refused this credit. We live in a retirement community and many of our friends are retired teachers. What a slap in the face! It's pretty pathetic that a few individuals dictate to others and have them do the "dirty work" of taking advantage of senior citizens who have served their professions proudly. Very, very disappointed in Atlantic Chevy in Bayshore. UPDATE: Dealer said it was GM who will deny this credit. After speaking with GM, I was told that the dealership approves or disapproves the credit. So the bottom line is Atlantic would rather have a customer leave unhappy over a $500 credit!
Nov 18, 2018
Phenomenal Customer Service
I came here to simply look at potential cars for me to lease, where we were greated by Joe Carnes salesman. I didnt go in here thinking i would be able to lease and take home a 2019 car that i would be able to afford. My credit is not great by any means. Joe was able to help me and get me into a brand new 2019 Chevy Malibu at an affordable monthly payment. Prior to this me and my father had walked out of Hyundai simply for the lack of professionalism. If you cant trust the person your talking to, how can you trust what they are trying to sell you. I recommend Atlantic Chevy Cadillac to everyone, especially people like me who think its not possible to drive off the lot with a brand new car and affordable monthly payment. Go here and ask for Joe Carnes - he was truly amazing and the best service i have ever received at a dealership.
Apr 15, 2018
My first experience at a dealership and it was enjoyable and exciting! My first new car- couldn't have done it without Joe! Thank you
Ahmed Elfar
Sales Consultant
Aug 05, 2019
Great job Jackie did great
Great experience with Atlantic I had a glitch with OnStar not being on the same page as Chevy and the dealer Jackie worked hard and resolved the issue the dealership is also a very family friendly place
May 01, 2018
Worst Dealer Experience
I left after they could not make me a deal Saturday but was called to return Monday (last day of the month) with a promise to get me a deal. I had my son with me and after another TWO hours we finally settled, gave my deposit, waited another hour then was sucker punched by the rude finance person who changed the price, payments and terms. Unbelievable. I was shocked and so upset. Wasted a total of 6 hours here and was discarded like garbage with a sarcastic 'have a nice day!!!!' as I left. Now I have to fight for my deposit back. I am stunned at the way they handled my business. Completely unprofessional. Since this forum requires you pick a salesperson please don't let this be a reflection on my salesperson-she worked hard.
Glenn Calautti
Sales Consultant
Oct 29, 2018
Go somewhere else!
DON'T buy from them! Poor customer service & only look out for themselves & NOT the customer! Fraudulent practices with sales & if you choose elsewhere they take their slow sweet time to process refund AFTER they say 24-48 hours. Been 4 days they just NOW process refund but took money pretty quick! SAVE YOURSELF time and sanity, DO NOT buy from them. There's MUCH better places!!!
May 15, 2018
Completely dissatisfied
I was very displeased with my trip to this dealership Friday. I made an appointment to see a 2017 Chevrolet Express Passenger Van. Upon my arrival, a helpful gentleman greeted me and was able to look up my appointment details. When he went to look for the vehicle he came back stating that the "used car manager took the vehicle to go to a wedding." I came to the dealership to see this certain vehicle, which was a complete waste of my time. The dealership knew I was interested in the vehicle based upon my emails and when I scheduled a time Friday to come in, it should have indicated I was coming to see that vehicle. I was extremely dissatisfied with my experience as I traveled all the way from Queens NY (it took my fiancée and I over an hour to get there) I am in the market for this certain vehicle, but will not be coming back to this dealership because of the experience I had Friday.
Neil Weissman
Sales Consultant
Oct 29, 2018
Go somewhere else!
DON'T buy from them! Poor customer service & only look out for themselves & NOT the customer! Fraudulent practices with sales & if you choose elsewhere they take their slow sweet time to process refund AFTER they say 24-48 hours. Been 4 days they just NOW process refund but took money pretty quick! SAVE YOURSELF time and sanity, DO NOT buy from them. There's MUCH better places!!!
Oct 05, 2018
Incompetent, lying service staff. Managers cover for them.
Went there to view a Suburban and called ahead to tell them my requirement. Was called back and told the vehicle I requested was there. Scheduled an appointment for Sunday morning 9 am. I have to drive 1 hour to see vehicle. Get there they tell me the vehicle is out being detailed and won't be back until noon. Now have invested 1 hour driving and fuel. No Car. Get a call at noon to ask me if the vehicle I'm looking for is a Silverado. I tell them no a Suburban not a pick up truck. They tell me the vihicle is a pick up not a Suburban. I was very clear with the sales person what I was looking ffor and what I wanted in the vehicle such as leather and a bench middle seat. This was back in July. Now it is October and I see a vehicle on line that matches what I am looking for. Call to see if the vehicle is still available and was told it was by the receptioist Cindy that it was. I make an appointment to come see the vehicle. Cindy tells me to call her an hour before to make sure they pull up the vehicle and have it ready for me to view. I call Cindy and tell her I am on my way and will be there in 1 1/2 hours. I get there and am directed to Neal to show me the vehicle. after a bunch of information that was taken he proceeds to get the keys and will be back in a minute to show me the vehicle. 15 minutes later he comes back looks at the computer and says I'll be back in a minute. 10 minutes goes by and he returns to tell me that the vehicle is ( you geussed) Not here it has not arrived yet. At this point I lose it. I can not believe that this is the second time that they did this to me. Cindy had more than enough time to check for the vehicle and if there was a problem she should have called to say so. Now I have driven 2 hours to see No vehicles. There was 1 Suburban on the lot that I looked at and the outside was OK 2 or 3 small dents but the inside looked like a farmer used it to haul his pigs around the farm. It was filthy and stains all over the carpets and leather. Steer clear of this dealership at all cost.
Nadia Didonato
Sales Consultant
Aug 16, 2019
Worse experience ever from a dealer
We went with higher expectations to Atlantic Chevrolet Cadillac but left utterly disappointed. First they said they would work with our deal and we agreed. However, they sent us home and told us to come back the next day and while we did so, they changed their word and a simple inquiry we had asked spiraled into a show of unprofessionalism and diminution of our character by the staff. They are not trustworthy and no respect is given to customers whatsoever. General Motors and the State Division of Consumer Protection has been notified of our treatment and we hope this kind of treatment will never happen to anyone else.
Alissa Hardcastle
Internet Sales Appointment Coordinator
Angel Vilorio
Sales Consultant
Haroon Rashed
Sales Consultant
Hosien Abderlrahaman
Sales Consultant
Jaclyn Vitanza
Sales Consultant
Joe Trabona
Sales Consultant
Joe Tribble JR
Sales Consultant
Larissa Alfaro
Used Car Sales Consultant
Margaret Mencia
Internet Sales Appointment Coordinator
Mia Guerringue
Sales Consultant
Michael Lindgren
Sales Consultant
Mike Cortigino
Sales Consultant
Paul Weinberger
Internet Sales Appointment Coordinator
Raymond Chan
Sales Consultant
Renaldo Jamieson
Sales Consultant
Robert Sparaco
Sales Consultant
Ryan Musinski
Wendy Fuentes
Sales Consultant
Zuley Canadas
Internet Sales Appointment Coordinator
26/31 City/Highway MPG
* 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick with specific headlights Price includes: $4250 - Chevrolet Consumer Cash Program. Exp. 01/04/2021
Vehicle Details
- Active aero shutters
- Body-color door handles
- Acoustic laminated windshield
- Deep-tinted rear glass
- IntelliBeam
- Automatic on/off headlamps
- High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps
- Manual liftgate
- Body-color mirror caps
- Heated power outside mirrors
- 16" compact spare tire
- 17" all-season blackwall tires (FWD models)
- Tires, P225/65R17 all-season blackwall (STD) (FWD only.)
- Bright lower window trim
- 16" steel spare wheel
- 17" aluminum wheels
- Wheels, 17" (43.2 cm) aluminum (STD)
- Single-zone manual climate control
- Chevrolet Connected Access capable
- Cruise control
- Rear window defogger
- 4.2" diagonal multi-color driver information screen
- Power door locks
- Front carpeted floor mats
- Rear carpeted floor mats
- 2-way adjustable front head restraints
- Keyless Open
- Keyless Start
- Driver seatback map pocket
- Front passenger seatback map pocket
- Inside rearview manual day/night mirror
- 12-volt auxiliary cargo area power outlet
- 12-volt auxiliary front power outlet
- Remote panic alarm
- Power driver seat lumbar control
- 8-way power driver seat
- 4-way manual front passenger seat
- Rear seat release levers
- Fold-flat rear seat with 60/40 split
- Front bucket seats
- Seats, front bucket (STD)
- Manual tilt and telescoping steering column
- Steering-wheel mounted controls
- Overhead sunglass storage
- Theft-deterrent unauthorized entry system
- Charging-only USB ports
- USB data ports with auxiliary input jack
- Driver and front passenger visors with illuminated mirrors
- Power windows with driver express-up/down
- Power windows with front passenger express-down
- Power windows with rear express-down
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot capable
- 6-speaker audio system
- Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with 7" diagonal color touchscreen
- Audio system, Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, 7" diagonal color touchscreen, AM/FM stereo. Additional features for compatible phones include: Bluetooth audio streaming for 2 active devices, voice command pass-through to phone, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capable. (STD)
- Bluetooth®
- Active Noise Cancellation
- SiriusXM® 3-month All Access Trial Subscription
- 3.50 axle ratio
- Axle, 3.50 final drive ratio (FWD only.)
- Performance brake linings
- Electronic parking brake
- 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, 16" front and rear
- Driver shift controls
- Automatic Stop/Start
- 1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder engine
- Engine, 1.5L Turbo DOHC 4-cylinder, SIDI, VVT (170 hp [127.0 kW] @ 5600 rpm, 203 lb-ft of torque [275.0 N-m] @ 2000 - 4000 rpm) (STD)
- Single-outlet exhaust
- E15 fuel capable
- 4,464 lbs. GVWR
- Mechanical jack with tools
- MacPherson front suspension
- 4-link rear suspension
- 6-speed automatic transmission with 1.5L engine
- Transmission, 6-speed automatic, electronically-controlled with overdrive includes Driver Shift Control (STD)
- Airbag system
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- LED Daytime Running Lamps
- Rear child security door locks
- Following Distance Indicator
- Forward Collision Alert
- Front Pedestrian Braking
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
- OnStar® & Chevrolet Connected Services capable
- Rear Seat Reminder
- Rear Vision Camera
- StabiliTrak, electronic stability control system with traction control
- Teen Driver
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Other Vehicles You May Like
Customer Reviews
This is my third Equinox. Very reliable car. My brakes lasted 11 years. My car never game me any problems. Best cat I have ever owned.Read more reviews at Cars.com
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*ON NEW CARS All applicable rebates included. To take advantage of our special Internet discounts, please print this page and present it to your salesperson. Some pricing may include supplier pricing. New car special pricing is for finance . There is a feed issue which may be causing some rebates to feed twice to the site, and may cause some vehicles to be mispriced. , please call dealer for rebates and actual price. Prices do not include additional fees and costs of closing, including government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer documentation fees, any emissions testing fees or other fees. Not all rebates can apply to all new vehicles, and not all rebates apply to all consumers. All prices, specifications and availability subject to change without notice.Everyone Qualifies for the Dealer Discounted Price. Contact dealer for most current information. Dealer not responsible for misprints. Due to the high demand for our individually selected vehicle inventory, there may be times that an individual vehicle is no longer available at the time you arrive at the Dealership. All Lease Offers Approved With A+ Tier Approval( 800+ Auto Fico ) With GM Financial. Responsible For Excess Mileage, Wear And Tear, $950 Acquisition Fees, Repairs And Maintenance. On Finances: Tax & MV fees additional. Customer responsible at term end: Dispoosition Fee of $395 ( waived with the purchase of another GM vehicle ). Must present ad at time of signing. All offers with approved credit. Offers available on in-stock units only. Prior deals excluded. Advertised discount offers cannot be combined with other offers. ON USED CARS all of the following: *The Internet Price for used cars is reflective after $1995 down. Price subject to change. Subject to primary lenders approval. All prices exclude tax, title, $695 dealer fees, tags, license & DMV. Must finance through dealer when applicable & take same day delivery. Internet specials: Sorry but we cannot extend special Internet pricing without a printed copy of the on-line pricing, and your in-store price may exceed our special on-line pricing. Prices do not include additional fees and costs of closing, including government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer documentation fees, any emissions testing fees or other fees. These Vehicles are offered on a first come first served basis, and subject to prior sales. Dealer not responsible for misprints. Due to the high demand for our individually selected vehicle inventory, there may be times that an individual vehicle is no longer available at the time you arrive at the Dealership.
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WKU News
Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Honor Society Recognizes WKU Chapter
- Tuesday, July 9th, 2013
Bowling Green, KY (July 1, 2013) -- The WKU chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the international honors organization for accounting professionals, has been recognized as a Superior Chapter for the 2012-2013 year by the National Beta Alpha Psi organization. The Chapter will receive a $275 award from the KPMG Foundation for its efforts.
"Recognition as a Superior Chapter is a significant accomplishment," said Blane Ruschak, Beta Alpha Psi National President. "The Eta Omicron Chapter has far exceeded the baseline requirements of Beta Alpha Psi and has excelled in the areas of academics, professionalism, and leadership."
To achieve Superior Chapter status, the WKU chapter hosted numerous professional activities such as Meet the Firms Night; seminars and workshops featuring alumni speakers; student recruiting events that brought hundreds of high school students to campus to learn more about the accounting profession; and members volunteered with community organizations.
"The department of accounting supports our BAP chapter because the chapter provides professional activities for its members but also to all our accounting majors. These professional activities are in keeping with our accounting programs' mission: to provide excellent accounting education and prepare students for successful and rewarding careers in accounting and business," said Steve Wells, chairman of the Department of Accounting.
The WKU chapter has earned Superior Chapter status for nine consecutive years. Dr. Richard Aldridge and Ms. Sheri Henson are co-advisors for the group. The 2012-13 President of the chapter was Mr. David Thomas.
"We are very proud of our Beta Alpha Psi student members and faculty advisors for their dedication to accounting education excellence. As an applied college of business that is accredited by AACSB International in business and accounting programs, the Gordon Ford College of Business is among the elite colleges of business in the world to hold this level of accreditation and distinction for student engagement," said Jeff Katz, dean of the Gordon Ford College of Business.
The 2013-14 Beta Alpha Psi student leadership team will be attending the Beta Alpha Psi Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA, in August to be recognized for the achievement. Gordon Ford College of Business Students attending the annual meeting will be President Jeff Creech, a senior from Prospect; Vice President Jacob King, a junior from Bowling Green; Reporter Jessica Hunt, a junior from Scottsville; Treasurer Jairus Zellers, a senior from Leitchfield; Service Project Coordinator Cody Inabnitt, a senior from Nancy; and Project 'Run With It' Leader Susan Slaton, a senior from Madisonville.
Beta Alpha Psi seeks to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the accounting field. The organization was founded in 1919. There are now 296 chapters with more than 300,000 members on college and university campuses around the world. WKU's Eta Omicron Chapter was founded in 1988.
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text:
Story highlights
- Robert Pondiscio: Education reform is all about preparing kids for college and careers
- Pondiscio: But we need to teach how to be good citizens capable of running a democracy
- Constitution framers believed students must know civic rights and responsibilities, he says
- Pondiscio: Today, only one of five eighth-graders is proficient in civics and history
When you're chowing down on hot dogs and hamburgers on this most patriotic of national holidays, try this experiment: Ask your friends and neighbors across the picnic table why they send their kids to school.
Chances are good that nearly everyone you ask will give an answer that reveals a private, dollars-and-cents view of education. We want to see our kids go to college, get good jobs, earn a decent living and make something of themselves.
We send our kids to school and hope they grow up to lead happy, productive lives, and with luck wind up a little better off than their parents. For most of us, education is the engine of upward mobility. These private aspirations are as American as apple pie.
But we send kids to school not just to become employees and entrepreneurs, but citizens capable of wise and effective self-government in our democracy. This public dimension of schooling was a founding principle of American education. We have all but forgotten it in the current era of education overhaul.
This would strike our earliest thinkers about education as strange and foolish, even dangerous. Men like Benjamin Rush, Noah Webster and Horace Mann saw citizen-making as the most basic aim of education in our young nation. They understood that democracy is a historical long shot.
Every young student used to learn the famous story about Benjamin Franklin leaving the Constitutional Convention in 1787. A woman asked him what kind of government he and the other delegates had decided on. "A republic, madam -- if you can keep it," he replied.
Franklin and the framers of the Constitution knew republics had a nasty habit of being overwhelmed by factions and falling apart. Teaching children to understand, value and peaceably exercise their rights and responsibilities -- to keep the republic -- was indispensable to our democracy and could not be taken for granted. Where were those citizens, those "republican machines" in Benjamin Rush's phrase, to be created if not in our schools?
We've drifted a long way from this view of public education. We typically hear the performance of America's children in reading, math and science described as a crisis. But these are areas of strength compared with civics and history. One out of three U.S. eighth-graders score "proficient" or higher on the National Assessment of Educational Progress in reading, math and science. But only about one out of five eighth-graders is proficient in civics and history.
The U.S. Department of Education is not alarmed. It recently announced future NAEP tests in civics, U.S. history and geography for fourth- and 12th-graders would be postponed indefinitely.
A shocking 85% of Americans cannot correctly describe the "rule of law," as bedrock a principle as we have. A similar percentage cannot identify the Constitution as the "supreme law of the land."
Students who don't know their rights don't recognize when those rights are threatened. Students who don't know how laws are made will never make or demand changes to them. Those who don't understand their country's history and traditions are less than second-class citizens. They are passive bystanders unprepared to participate in our democracy and disinclined to do so.
One way or another, schools will shape our children as citizens. The question is whether we want them to do so by accident or neglect, or by thinking carefully about the civic knowledge, skills and republic-keeping mindset our children will need to nurture and maintain our democracy in the 21st century and beyond.
There should be room, even in our test-driven, college and career focused classrooms, to cultivate an understanding and appreciation of America's founding principles and documents, and how our government functions.
A sound, basic education can and should promote national identity, unity and loyalty without indoctrination. Developing pride in America's history and ideals in no way conflicts with the goal of creating independent, free-thinking citizens in a pluralistic society. If our children are to keep the republic, they must understand and value the thing they are being asked to keep.
For good or for ill, the education reform movement of the last few decades has achieved a nearly unquestioned consensus that the big picture goal of K-12 education is to ensure that all of America's children leave school "college or career ready."
By all means, let's prime the pump of our economic competitiveness with more college-goers, more science, math and technology graduates. Let's ensure every child has a shot at a private piece of the American Dream.
But let's also make sure schools still perform the greatest possible public service: preparing our children to be the informed citizens a stable, self-governing country needs.
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